A professional cleaner has revealed the must-have item for removing stubborn build-ups — without using harsh chemicals.
Kacie Stephens, from Melbourne, scrubbed the bottom of a dirty oven with a pumice stone, which is typically used to exfoliate skin on your feet.
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However, the cleaner explained how the stone can be used to remove baked-on food from ovens or the limescale on the bottom of a toilet bowl — without leaving any scratches.
“This is a professional cleaner’s tip for removing the build-up on the bottom of your oven,” she said.
“A pumice stone or stick is a must have for your cleaning kit whether you’re a professional cleaner or someone cleaning your own home.
“The stone will scrape off build-up in your oven and the limescale on the bottom of a toilet bowl.
“The alternative to this is a razor blade but this is a much more entry level method… Get yourself one.”
Pumice stones can be used safely to gently scrub porcelain and ceramic toilets and the walls, racks and bottom of the oven — without causing scratches or any other damage.
The stone should always be used wet.
The non-toxic tool should never be used on glass and stainless-steel as the stone can leave deep scratches that cannot be removed.
Kacie said she usually buys her pumice stocks from Amazon, but the product can be found at Big W, Chemist Warehouse, Kmart and Woolworths — with prices starting from as little as $3.
Her video has been viewed more than 22,400 times — with many saying they couldn’t wait to give the stone a go.
The cleaner, who runs a business called The Big Clean Co, previously shared she always preheats dirty ovens before cleaning — a method many people skip before tackling the household chore.
The mum said preheating the oven helps loosen any baked-on stains and stubborn grease or grime on the surface.
“Here’s a tip for cleaning your oven that I did not learn as a professional cleaner. I learned it when I worked in hospitality – it’s to preheat your oven before you clean it,” she said.
“The heat softens all that caked-on grease and makes it much easier to clean.”
She pointed out that instructions for heating ovens before cleaning can be found on spray bottles.
“Don’t believe me? Check out the label on the can of your caustic oven spray,” she said.
“It tells you, five minutes to clean a warm oven, or 30 minutes to clean a cold oven.
“Save yourself a headache and get the oven warm first.”
Once your oven has heated, you can start cleaning it once it’s cool enough to touch.
“In case it’s not obvious, please don’t clean when it’s so hot it burns you,” she warned.
Kacie said cleaning a warm oven can also slash your cleaning time in the kitchen.
“Let’s be serious, anything that cuts down the cleaning time in an oven is good because cleaning an oven sucks,” she said.
She previously revealed her chemical-free method for deep cleaning ovens.
Kacie said she usually “steams” the oven by placing a tray of water and vinegar before deep cleaning the appliance.
“When that charcoal is cold, it’s rock-solid… I’ve got a non-toxic way to clean your oven using the power of steam. So here’s what you’re going to do,” she said.
To steam clean your oven, you’ll need dishwashing liquid, vinegar, scrapers and scourers.
“Add one cup of boiling water and one cup of vinegar to a tray. Put it in a hot oven and let it do its thing for about 20 minutes,” she said.
The steam will soften the baked-on stains, making it easier to scrape off.
Before proceeding with the clean, Kacie said you need to let the oven “cool to touch” or you’ll “burn yourself”.
“You’ll be left with this big mushy mess that scrapes right off,” Kacie said.
To remove grease and from the oven’s glass door, she opted for dishwashing liquid and a scourer.
“I like to add dishwashing liquid just to … really make it shine,” she said.
“Use a scourer on the racks and for any bits that are stuck, use a blade.”
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