Green Tip of the Day

OVEN CLEANING

Since ovens caked with last month's casserole drippings cook less efficiently. Just opt for a cleaner that works without caustic ingredients and without you having to fire up the self-cleaning option, which uses a ton of energy.

On average, using the 900-degree self-cleaning function burns about 200 kilowatt hours of power (often from coal plants) per household per year, or about $25.

Nontoxic cleaning products and a little old-fashioned scrubbing get the job done right without abrasive chems such as butane (a potential carcinogen) and sodium hydroxide (a toxin to the nervous system).

Less energy use + fewer harmful chemicals = a win-win equation for the earth.

Mix 1 cup of white distilled vinegar, 2 cups of hot water, 1/2 cup of baking soda, and a few drops of lavender essential oil in a spray bottle, shake it up, and you've got yourself a cheap, easy oven cleanser though it takes a lot of elbow grease.

If you must use the self-cleaning feature, try not to use it more than a couple times a year, and fire it up after you've been cooking to make use of heat already lingering in the oven. Once it's sparkling, maintain it by pouring salt on new spills and rubbing them away while the oven's still warm.