The Christmas feast is over, the last of the leftovers have been packed away, and the final round of washing up is done. Yet, one kitchen workhorse often remains in a sorry state after the festive marathon: the oven.
The Post-Christmas Oven Dilemma
After roasting the turkey, crisping the potatoes, and sizzling all the trimmings, your oven is likely coated in a layer of stubborn grease, oil, and food splatters. Cleaning it is a chore nobody relishes, but starting the New Year with a sparkling appliance is a satisfying goal. Fortunately, a renowned cleaning expert has shared a remarkably simple method that does the hard work for you while you sleep.
Chantel Mila's Overnight Cleaning Solution
TikTok cleaning guru Chantel Mila, an Australian content creator, has demonstrated a powerful yet effortless hack perfect for the lazy days between Christmas and New Year. The technique requires just three common household items and promises impressive results with zero elbow grease.
In her tutorial, Chantel explains you need to create a simple paste. Combine half a cup of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) with one teaspoon of washing-up liquid, then add a dash of water to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.
Apply a thin layer of this paste over the grimy interior surfaces of your oven, paying particular attention to the glass door and baked-on messes on metal trays. Once coated, simply leave the paste to work its magic overnight.
The Morning After: A Simple Wipe Down
When you return in the morning, the paste will have loosened the grime. Take a damp cloth and wipe the interior clean. For any persistent, stubborn spots, spritz a little white vinegar directly onto the stain and buff it away with your cloth. The mild acidic reaction from the vinegar helps dissolve the final remnants of grease.
Chantel Mila clarifies the science behind the hack: "Baking soda is alkaline which helps cut through acidic oven grease. Dish soap helps soften built-up grease." This powerful combination is more than capable of tackling the aftermath of a full Christmas Day cook-up.
The method has been tried and tested by viewers, who flooded the comments section with praise. One user confirmed, "Just tried it and it works a treat!!!" while another planned to use it, writing "That's awesome! I'm going to try it." A third exclaimed, "Ahhh! Perfect! Stove cleaning is tomorrow, I'm so excited to use this!"
So, instead of dreading a lengthy scrub, you can use this straightforward overnight hack. With minimal effort, you'll welcome 2025 with a fresh, clean oven ready for whatever culinary adventures the new year brings.
