Ditch vinegar and bicarb for 1 natural item that 'dissolves oven grease before your eyes'

Spatters of grease, food particles, and any spills that occur mean that oven cleaning needs to be one of those regular chores. If your oven is caked with burnt-on grease and food residue, then you may think that only the most potent of oven cleaners will be able to help.

However, this is not the case, and you can clean an oven using natural remedies to lift the dirt and grime from even the hard-to-reach areas. While white vinegar and baking soda may spring to mind right now, they may not be the best natural products to use in this situation. Taking to Mumsnet, one user shared a simple, non-toxic item they've used to clean their oven and hailed as their "new best friend".

Describing their love of soda crystals, user Posey on Mumsnet wrote: "Always have a bag in the cupboard as they are great for unclogging bath plug hole. Then, a few weeks ago, our washing machine had become a bit smelly, so following instructions on here, I did a hot wash with crystals. Ta-da, no more smelly machine.

"And now, having finally decided the oven is well overdue for a clean. I looked at the horrid, yucky shelves, thinking, 'how are we going to get those clean?'

"So, I put a large tray of soda crystals and boiling water on the side and put oven shelves in. I can see before my eyes the oven grease just dissolving."

Unlike vinegar, soda crystals are one of the best low-effort ways to clean an oven as they are highly alkaline, which means they will react to acidic grease and burn marks to dissolve them.

It will loosen any stuck-on stains, so you do not have to scrub at them or use a harsh chemical cleaner in the same place you cook your food.

Soda crystals are best for deep cleaning built-up grease in ovens, while other natural cleaning agents like baking soda, citric acid and vinegar are better used for everyday stains.

All you need to do is mix soda crystals with warm water until they turn into a thick paste, then spread it on the stained areas of your oven, but make sure to avoid the heating element.

Let the cleaning solution sit for at least 30 minutes, but it is best left overnight for tougher stains.

While the oven is being cleaned, remove any trays or racks and place them in a sink or container filled with warm water handful of soda crystals.

Once the time is up, wipe the oven surface with a damp sponge, and the grease should come away easily.