Dawn and vinegar oven clean: How to use this DIY combo for sticky grease

When you need to clean a greasy oven without buying expensive chemical sprays, Dawn and vinegar, a simple, low-cost cleaning solution made from dish soap and white vinegar. Also known as vinegar and dish soap oven cleaner, it’s one of the most reliable DIY methods for breaking down baked-on grease. This mix isn’t magic—it’s chemistry. The vinegar’s acidity loosens grime, while Dawn’s surfactants lift and trap grease so it wipes away easily. No toxic fumes. No scrubbing for hours. Just results.

You’ll find this combo in over a dozen posts here because it’s not just for ovens. People use it on stovetops, microwave interiors, and even greasy range hoods. But ovens are where it shines. Most ovens have layers of burnt-on food, sugar, and oil that regular cleaners ignore. Dawn and vinegar penetrate those layers, soften them, and make them easy to wipe off. You don’t need a steam cleaner or a professional service. Just spray, wait, and wipe. The key? Letting it sit long enough. Too short, and it won’t work. Too long, and vinegar can leave a residue. Most users find 30 to 60 minutes is the sweet spot. Mix one part Dawn with one part vinegar in a spray bottle. No water. No heating. Just spray it on cold surfaces, close the oven door, and walk away.

Some people worry vinegar will damage oven surfaces. It won’t—if you avoid the heating elements and don’t use it on aluminum or unsealed stone. But if your oven has a self-cleaning function, skip this method before running it. You don’t want residue burning off during high heat. Also, never mix vinegar with bleach or ammonia. That’s dangerous. Stick to Dawn and vinegar only. It’s safe around kids and pets, smells better than ammonia, and costs less than a bottle of store-bought cleaner. And if you’ve tried baking soda pastes and found them too messy? This is cleaner, faster, and just as effective.

What you’ll find below are real, tested methods from people who’ve used this combo to clean their ovens—some for the first time, others after years of struggling with chemical sprays. You’ll see exact ratios, how long to wait, what tools to use, and what to do if the grease won’t budge. There are also tips for cleaning oven racks, glass doors, and even the oven interior without scratching. No fluff. No theory. Just what works.