Clean your oven naturally with household products

Use these natural concoctions the next time you need to clean your oven, and leave those caustic chemical-based oven cleaners where they belong — on the store shelf.

Colourless and easy to make, this is your go-to solution for a cleaner oven.

• 30 ml (2 tbsp) liquid soap
• 10 ml (2 tsp) borax
• 500 ml (2 c) warm water
• 125 g (1/2 c) baking soda in an open bowl

1. Pour the soap and borax into the spray bottle, and add the warm water. Shake well to dissolve the borax.
2. Spray the solution on the oven's surfaces, giving special attention to dried, cooked-on spills.
3. Let the mixture set for 30 minutes to an hour, then scrub the oven surfaces with a damp scrub pad dipped in the baking soda. Rinse with clean water.

This recipe is for cleaning up the oven floor after a sticky sweet pie or a too-full casserole has spilled over and caused a real mess. You don't need expensive, caustic commercial oven cleaners to deal with it. You probably already have everything you need on hand.

• 125 ml (1/2 c) water
• 250-500 g (1-2 c) baking soda
• 5 ml (1 tsp) liquid detergent

1. Sprinkle water along the bottom of the oven.
2. Spread enough baking soda over the surface to coat it entirely, and sprinkle more water on top of it.
3. Let the paste set overnight. The next morning, the grease and grime will be loosened enough for you to wipe it up with damp paper towels or dishrags.
4. Once you've wiped up the core of the mess, use the liquid detergent on a damp sponge to remove any remaining residue. Rinse with water and let dry.
5. Repeat if necessary.

You don't need harsh cleansers and lots of elbow grease to clean your microwave. For the price of a lemon, some baking soda, or some white vinegar, you can just wipe away the splatters and stains inside the oven.

• 375 ml (1 1/2 c) water
• 45 ml (3 tbsp) lemon juice or 250 ml (1 c) water
• 45 g (3 tbsp) baking soda or 500 ml (2 c) white vinegar

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the water and lemon juice, water and baking soda, or just the vinegar. Place the uncovered bowl inside the oven, and run the oven on high for 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the liquid to condense on its inside walls and ceiling.
2. Carefully remove the very hot bowl with a towel or pot holder and wipe the interior with a dishrag or paper towel.

Here is the recipe for a cheap, almost effortless oven cleaner that rivals any commercial counterparts.

• 175 ml (3/4 c) clear household ammonia
• 250 g (1 c) baking soda in a widemouthed dish

1. Pour the ammonia into a small bowl and leave it overnight in a closed, cool oven.
2. The next day, remove and discard the ammonia and wipe down the oven's interior surfaces with moistened paper towels or damp sponges dipped in baking soda.