Clean the oven: This 1-euro trick beats all expensive sprays

Where there’s wood, there are chips, and where there’s baking, there’s bound to be stains. If you use your oven regularly and don’t immediately reach for the cleaning cloth afterwards, residues will inevitably remain on the inside of the oven. This burns in more and more each time the oven is heated up – you won’t get any further with a cleaning cloth. But with an ingenious trick, you can declare war on the stuck-on residue! Find out here how you can easily clean your burnt-on oven with tabs.

Baked-on oven: why dishwasher tabs are the first choice

Anyone who owns a dishwasher probably has them at home. We’re talking about dishwasher tabs 🛒. They usually do their job in the dishwasher and turn dirty dishes into clean ones. But did you know that you can use dishwasher tabs in a variety of ways throughout the household? One option, for example, is to clean the baked-on oven with tabs. The surfactants contained in the tabs dissolve greasy residues and stubborn incrustations.

Dishwasher tabs have proven to be effective for cleaning your baked-on oven. Credit: FUNKE Digital

The steam method

If your oven is only slightly dirty, the gentle steam method is often sufficient:

  • Preheat the oven to 50 degrees – As soon as the temperature is reached, switch the oven off again.
  • Dishwasher tabs in the water bath: Grab an ovenproof dish, fill it with about 200 milliliters of hot water and throw in one or two dishwasher tabs. The tabs will now slowly dissolve.
  • Off to the oven: Place the tin in the switched-off, still warm oven and close the door. Now allow the tabs to steam out like in a sauna.
  • Leave to take effect: Leave the mixture to work for one to two hours, the vapor will settle on the inside walls.
  • Wipe out as a finishing touch: Wipe out the inside of the oven with a damp cloth and allow everything to dry thoroughly.

Tip: Make sure you use tabs with a water-soluble film or remove the film beforehand – you definitely don’t want to clean up any melted plastic residue. Make sure you wear gloves!

The paste method

If your oven is really burnt in, you need to bring out the big guns. With a homemade dishwasher paste, even old encrustations become history:

  • Crumble dishwasher tabs: Crush two to three tabs in a kitchen towel and grind them into powder.
  • Mix the paste: Mix the powder with a little warm water until you have a creamy paste. It should be nice and smooth – coarse grains could damage your oven.
  • Off to the oven: Apply the paste generously to the soiled areas.
  • Wait and see: Leave the paste on for three to four hours or preferably overnight.
  • Scrub and wipe: Remove the paste with circular movements and a damp sponge. Finally, wipe everything with clean water and leave to dry.

Caution: The paste must not get onto the heating rods and seals! These could be damaged on contact


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The advantages and disadvantages of cleaning a baked-on oven with tabs

Cleaning your baked-on oven with tabs has some advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, you probably already have dishwasher tabs at home and don’t need to buy extra expensive special cleaning agents for your oven 🛒. In addition, even stubborn stains are dissolved due to the cleaning agents contained in the tab.

However, make sure that you remove all residue from the dishwasher tabs from your oven! Failure to do so can lead to unpleasant odors the next time you use it. Another disadvantage is that the tabs are not suitable for all areas of the oven. Seals and heating elements can be damaged by the aggressive chemicals in the tabs.

Conclusion: A real insider tip for savers

Cleaning your baked-on oven with tabs is practical, inexpensive and surprisingly effective. Perfect if you want a clean oven but don’t want expensive special products. Try it out, you’ll be amazed!

Cleaning a burnt-on oven with tabs: A quick look

Why does cleaning with dishwasher tabs work?

Dishwasher tabs contain highly effective cleaning agents such as surfactants, enzymes and bleach, which dissolve grease, baked-on residues and organic soiling. These substances break down stubborn stains and make them easy to wipe off. In combination with heat (e.g. with the steam method) or through direct contact (e.g. as a paste), the tabs develop their full cleaning power. This makes them an effective, inexpensive alternative to expensive special cleaners.

Can baking trays be cleaned with dishwasher tabs?

Yes, baking trays can be cleaned with dishwasher tabs, especially if there are burnt-on residues. To do this, you can place the baking tray in the sink or bath, fill it with hot water and dissolve a dishwasher tab in it. Leave it to work for a few hours to loosen the dirt and then scrub the tray with a sponge. Important: Make sure that your baking tray is suitable for this method so as not to damage the coating.

Can you clean the drain with dishwasher tablets?

Yes, dishwasher tablets can help with light blockages in the drain. They contain surfactants and enzymes that can dissolve grease, food residues and light blockages. Simply put a tab down the drain, pour hot water over it and leave it to work for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly. For more serious blockages, however, a special drain cleaner or mechanical cleaning is more effective.

Source: mediamarkt.de

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