Kenneth Glad
Household cleaning methods can differ sharply when dealing with grease that has built up over a long period. A home comparison found that specialist products were considerably more effective than a common cupboard staple.
A £3.45 oven cleaner delivered the best performance in a three-product home comparison reported by Daily Express, where it was tested against white vinegar and a cheaper specialist alternative.
The reviewer used Oven Pride Complete Oven Cleaner, Elbow Grease Oven Cleaner and diluted white vinegar on ovens affected by baked-on grease, food residue and longstanding marks.
Oven Pride, bought from B&M, produced the clearest change. During the test, the liquid began loosening dirt from the oven glass and interior relatively quickly, with stubborn baked-on marks coming away after treatment.
The cleaner was left overnight, although the reviewer said the oven appeared ready to be wiped down earlier. Compared with the other methods, it also required less physical effort to deal with the heavier buildup.
That difference was especially noticeable when set against the performance of white vinegar, a household product often used for lighter cleaning jobs.
The difference was hard to miss
Diluted white vinegar was sprayed across the oven and left before the surfaces were scrubbed. The review found it removed only a small amount of grease from the glass, while much of the older staining remained.
The tester suggested it was better suited to routine cleaning than to a deep clean of an appliance with years of residue.
Elbow Grease Oven Cleaner, costing £2 from Home Bargains, performed better than vinegar in some areas. The reviewer wore gloves and used the supplied bag to treat the oven racks.
After soaking, the racks were noticeably cleaner. The interior was more difficult, with some baked-on grease remaining even after scrubbing and rinsing with hot, soapy water.
The reviewer also noted a strong smell despite the product’s fume-free positioning.
Oven Pride used a similar method, with the racks treated separately while cleaner was applied inside the appliance. The grime began breaking down faster, and the surfaces cleaned up more thoroughly.
Its slightly higher price was considered worthwhile in the Daily Express review because it reduced the scrubbing and effort needed.
Sources: Daily Express
