If you’re wondering what the best ways to clean your oven efficiently and effectively are – we’ve got you covered! Oven cleaning is one of the most boring – and difficult household chores to do. Not to mention the ick-factor of getting all that dried grease and grime underneath your nails! Sure, there are ovens that come with a self-cleaning option – so you must be wondering why you’d need to do this yourself. 

The self-cleaning function basically uses steam or high heat to release or burn up hardened grease and food remains from inside the oven. Then all that’s left is to wipe it all away. However, with this method, you should beware of the fumes and smoke that get released into your kitchen.

There are plenty of safer methods to use, and with the proper knowledge and tools, cleaning your oven doesn’t have to seem so difficult!

Prepare

Before you get started with your oven – you need to gather up the right materials first. 

To get the best out of your oven cleaning – you’ll need: 

  1. Rubber gloves – This protects your hands from harsh chemicals and also from all the dirt and grime being removed from your oven.
  2. A specialised oven cleaning solution – There are many different oven cleaning products available. Look for ones that suit your cleaning needs and are pet and children safe too. 
  3. Soft sponges – To help wipe away the cleaning solution, water and dirt. Using soft sponges also ensures you won’t scratch and damage the glass on your oven’s door. 
  4. Scrubber – To help get rid of tough grease stains and food marks.
  5. Cleaning cloth – To dry your oven door.
  6. Trash bags – To help collect and dispose of all the grime and cleaning materials. 

If You’re Using Store-Bought Cleaning Solutions

Ovens get dirty from food spills falling to the bottom and from droplets of moisture during the cooking process. 

Grease and oil get stuck to the sides of your oven and, in some instances, can even begin to burn as time goes on. 

  1. First and most importantly, remove all oven racks. It’s important to have your oven empty of all removable parts before beginning. 

For The Oven Racks:

  1. Depending on the level of cleaning required, you can handwash the racks in your kitchen sink or use an oven cleaning solution to do so. 
  2. If using a cleaning solution, place the racks into plastic bags and allow them to soak in the cleaning solution (the duration depends on the product instructions). 
  3. Once cleaned, rinse them with clean water and allow them to air-dry. 

For Your Oven:

  1. Pour the oven cleaning solution on the bottom of your oven and the door.
  2. Using a sponge, gently rub the solution into all areas with built-up grime and grease. 
  3. Leave the solution undisturbed and allow it to settle into the grime. This step depends on the type of cleaning solution and how much cleaning your oven requires. 
  4. Next, use a clean and wet sponge to pick up the loosened up dirt and grime. Then, with another sponge and some warm, soapy water, wipe away all of the remaining dirt and cleaning solution from the doors, sides, top and bottom of your oven. 
  5. Finally, using a clean and dry cloth, wipe the oven down – ensuring there are no remnants of food, cleaning solutions or sponge fibres remaining. 
  6. Replace all the oven racks in their right places, and there you have it! Your oven should look good as new!

If You’d Like to Use A Homemade Cleaner for Oven Cleaning

Whether you don’t have access to the expensive cleaning solutions or if you want to use natural products at home. 

From the numerous methods to clean an oven at home, there are two ways that are the most effective. 

Method 1: Using Baking Soda and White Vinegar

What You’ll Need:

  • Baking soda – ½ Cup
  • Water
  • Rubber gloves
  • Cleaning cloth or sponge
  • A small wire mesh
  • Plain white vinegar
  • A spray bottle

To Make The Solution: 

  1. Mix the baking soda with three tablespoons of water to form a thick paste. 

How To Clean:

  1. First, always remove all the oven racks. Depending on the level of cleaning needed, wash it with warm soapy water in your kitchen sink.
  2. Using the wire mesh, spread the paste inside your oven. 
  3. Allow the paste to settle in for at least 12 hours.
  4. After the 12 hours have passed, wipe the inside of your oven with a cleaning cloth or sponge to remove the paste.
  5. Using the spray bottle, spray the insides of your oven with undiluted vinegar – focusing attention on areas which still have baking soda on them. 
  6. At this point, the baking soda will start to fizz – this is natural and is actually loosening up hardened grease from inside your oven.
  7. Finally, use a clean cloth and wipe away all remnants of baking soda, vinegar and grime. 
  8. Replace your cleaned shelves, and it’s done!

Method 2: Using Only Baking Soda

This method is far simpler and requires less effort and materials. It will take up more time than the method above – but if you want to reduce the amount of scrubbing, then this method is the one for you!

What You’ll Need:

  • Baking soda
  • Cleaning cloth
  • Sponge

How To Clean:

  1. As usual, remove the oven racks and clean as needed. 
  2. Sprinkle baking soda inside your oven.
  3. Allow this to sit overnight. The baking soda will slowly work to loosen up any hardened food remains.
  4. In the morning, use a damp sponge and some warm soapy water to remove the dirt and grime. 

Finally, if you want a way to clean your oven – like a professional – and do it without even lifting a finger – then we’ve got that covered too! All you need to do is hire a professional oven cleaning service that can take care of all the grimy, hard-to-clean work for you – while you use that time to do whatever you want!