How to clean an oven 3 different ways

To clean your oven with a commercial oven cleaning solution, first place newspaper on the floor to catch any drips. Make sure the oven is off, then remove any racks (set them aside – you’ll clean these separately) and sweep out any large pieces of food. Following the directions on the spray bottle, spray the inside of the oven thoroughly with the cleaning solution, avoiding heating elements or vents. Leave the solution on for at least 30 minutes – this powerful cleaner breaks down and loosens stubborn stains so you can simply wipe away the grime with a damp cloth or sponge (read: no scrubbing required). Dry the inside of the oven with a kitchen towel or paper towel.

You can also treat the oven racks with oven cleaning solution, but be sure to do the spraying outdoors. Follow the same protocol and wipe them down after 30 minutes, then slide the clean oven racks back into the scrubbed oven.

Method 3: Tough love

Don’t have a commercial oven cleaning solution on hand? That’s okay: you can make your own using a few pantry ingredients. This method may take a little longer, but you don’t have to mess around with harsh chemicals. A paste of baking soda and water will fight stubborn baked-on bits stuck inside the oven, distilled white vinegar works as a stain treatment, and a long soak in soapy water will keep oven racks looking as good as new. This DIY cleaning solution doesn’t have the same effectiveness as commercial sprays, but you should still wear gloves—it might get messy.

Start laying out newspaper again to protect your kitchen floor; Remove the oven racks and set them aside. Combine 1 cup baking soda with about ¼ cup water until it forms a thick paste. Using your gloved hands, a rag, or a large brush, spread the baking soda paste liberally on the inside of the dirty oven, including the bottom of the oven, the sides, and the inside of the oven door (again, avoid any heat). elements or ventilation openings). Close the door and leave it for a couple of hours or ideally overnight.

While the baking soda does its job, turn your attention to the oven racks. Fill the sink or bathtub with boiling water, add a squirt of dish soap or dish soap and soak the oven racks for at least 2 hours. Once the racks are soaked, scrub them with a non-abrasive or non-abrasive scouring pad (like Scotch-Brite or Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser) and treat any stubborn burned bits with the same baking soda paste you used inside the oven.

Once the baking soda paste has set over any burned food residue in your oven, use a non-abrasive scouring pad to scrub it clean. Spray any unrelenting spots with distilled white vinegar, which will make the baking soda solution bubble. Once you’ve scrubbed out all of the dirt, wipe down the entire oven (including the interior walls and glass door) with a microfiber cloth. Allow the grates to dry completely before placing them back in the oven.

The outside counts too

Now that the inside of your oven is looking shiny and new, it’s time to tackle the outside. Luckily, cleaning the outside of the oven is quick and easy: spray the glass door and oven handle with standard glass cleaner and wipe with a microfiber cloth. For a really shiny finish use a heavy duty cleaner like Bar Keeper’s Friend.

How often should I clean my oven?

If you use the oven frequently, a gentle cleaning every 1 to 3 months will help prevent deposits. Whichever cleaning method you choose, we recommend that you give your oven a thorough cleaning every 6 months.

Now that your oven is nice and clean, it’s time to start baking – cheesecake maybe?