Nothing compares to a home-cooked meal and the smell of a freshly baked treat. But when it comes to cleaning the oven after another cooking adventure, we can all agree that this is one of the most tedious and time-consuming household chores.
However, oven cleaning doesn’t have to be as scary as it sounds. With the right materials and a little bit of know-how, you can get rid of the grease and grime and return the good look of your appliance.
So, if you want to learn some tips and tricks on how to easily clean your oven, you have come to the right place.
Table of Contents
How to clean the inside of an oven
A dirty oven can serve as a breeding environment for bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. In addition to that, the grease buildup can affect its performance, blocking the heat source and reducing the oven’s ability to cook food evenly. That’s why in order to prevent these issues, you should clean your oven on a regular basis.
To do that, you will need:
- A pair of rubber gloves
- Oven cleaning detergent
- Sponge
- Some resealable plastic bags
Steps to follow:
- Remove the shelves from the inside of your oven and place each of them in a separate resealable bag.
- Pour around half of the oven cleaner in it, seal the bag and let the shelves soak.
- Clean any debris, crumbs and food leftovers and pour the rest of the detergent on the bottom of the oven and the door.
- Leave the oven cleaner to sit as per the recommended duration.
- After that, take a clean sponge and soapy water and wipe down the surface removing the cleaning product. You can also use this method to clean an oven glass door without scratching it.
- Wipe the shelves with lukewarm, soapy water to remove the oven detergent and the grease.
- As a final step, use a clean cloth and wipe down the inside of the oven and the door to clean any residue and put back the shelves.
How to clean oven with baking soda and vinegar
Homemade cleaning products are a cheap and eco-friendly alternative for cleaning your oven. Using DIY cleaning solutions will help you avoid harsh chemicals and protect your food from toxic residue that may pose a health risk.
One of these oven-cleaning methods is with baking soda and vinegar. All you have to do is:
- Remove the racks, trays and the rest removable parts from the inside of the oven
- Put half a cup of baking soda in a bowl and mix with a small amount of water until you make a paste.
- Take a sponge and apply the paste as you avoid the heating parts. Leave it to stay for a few minutes or a little bit longer if you have more time.
- With a wet cloth, wipe the inside of the oven and clean as much of the paste as you can.
- After that, mix together 2 part vinegar with 1 part water and spray the interior of the oven and the door, paying special attention to the baking soda-covered areas. Don’t worry when the soda begins to fizz, as it’s perfectly normal.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe the oven again and remove the remaining soda, grease and grime. If necessary, repeat a few times until everything is cleaned and the oven is shiny.
How to Clean Your Oven with Hot Water and Lemon Juice
The method is more suitable for regular wiping, but it could also be used as a pretreatment before you deep clean the oven.
We all know how difficult it is to remove stubborn stains and food debris from oven surfaces, but you can save yourself a lot of effort by placing a bowl of warm water mixed with lemon juice inside the oven. The steam will help to loosen the grease and burned-on debris, so you can remove them easily without much scrubbing. To avoid burning, make sure that the oven is not too hot before starting the cleaning process.
How to clean a self-cleaning oven
A self-cleaning oven can be very easy to clean with the right techniques and tools. Here is what you have to do:
- Start by removing the racks and baking sheets from the oven.
- You can wash the racks or use the dishwasher to clean them. If they are quite dirty, you can soak them for a few hours in lukewarm, soapy water.
- Wipe the inside of the oven with a wet cloth and clean all crumbs and food debris.
- If your oven is particularly dirty, you can use store-bought oven cleaner or make your own cleaning product by preparing a mixture of baking soda and water. Apply the cleaning product and leave it there for several minutes. If you use a commercial product, read the instructions and let the detergent stay according to the specified duration. Then, use a damp cloth and wipe the interior of the oven.
- Make sure the space is well-ventilated. After that, start the oven’s self-cleaning function to remove any remaining grease and grime. The self-cleaning cycle will heat the oven to a high temperature, allowing dirt to be burned away.
- After you have cleaned the interior of the oven, take a wet cloth and wipe the exterior, including the knobs, control panel and the door.
How to keep an oven clean
Regular cleaning of your oven is the best way to maintain it in good condition and prevent the buildup of grease and grime. Wipe it down after each use and clean oil spillages and food debris as soon as you can.
In addition, you can place an oven liner at the oven’s bottom. The Teflon mat will catch food spillage and grease and make oven cleaning a lot easier.
Conclusion
By following the useful tips in this guide, you no longer have to worry about cleaning your oven.
Now you can easily get rid of the grime and grease and maintain your cooker in perfect condition. But, if you don’t have the time to do it on your own or if your appliance is particularly dirty, you can always count on an oven cleaning service. The specialists will take care of your oven, leaving it sparkling clean so you can enjoy the pleasure of home-cooked meals.
