How to Clean an Oven: Commercial and Homemade Cleaners
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Learning to clean an oven can be straightforward. Regular cleaning helps eliminate odors and smoke resulting from grease and food buildup. This guide explains how to clean an oven correctly, safely, and efficiently.
While cleaning the oven can seem like a daunting task, using appropriate methods and cleaners can simplify the process. Options include natural cleaners like baking soda and vinegar, commercial cleaning products, or the oven’s self-cleaning feature.
Effective Methods for Cleaning Your Oven
The most suitable method for cleaning your oven depends on your preferences for cleaning agents and the extent of the soiling. Here’s a summary of three common and effective ways to clean an oven:
- Natural Cleaning Method: For those who prefer to avoid commercial chemicals or for lightly soiled ovens, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can be used. This method may require more physical effort.
- Commercial Oven Cleaner: For heavily soiled ovens, commercial oven cleaners contain strong ingredients designed to break down tough grime.
- Self-Cleaning Feature: Many modern ovens include a self-cleaning cycle suitable for light to moderate soil levels. This function uses high temperatures to incinerate food residue. Caution is advised for very dirty ovens, as excessive buildup can produce smoke, strong odors, or even pose a fire risk during the cycle.
What You’ll Need: Oven Cleaning Essentials
Equipment / Tools
- Protective gloves and safety glasses
- Sponges or microfiber cloths
- Bucket or large tub
- Small bowl
- Spray bottle
- Paintbrush (optional)
Materials
- Baking soda
- Distilled white vinegar
- Paper towels or newspapers
- Pumice stone (optional, for oven use)
Step-by-Step Oven Cleaning Instructions
How to Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda and Vinegar: A Natural Method
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Empty the Oven and Protect Surfaces
Remove oven racks and any stored items. Place paper towels or newspapers on the floor beneath the oven to catch drips.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Mix a Baking Soda Paste
Combine approximately 1/2 cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water in a small bowl. Adjust the amount of water until you achieve a thick, spreadable paste. For larger ovens, you may need to prepare more paste.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Spread on the Paste
Wear protective gloves. Use your hands or an old paintbrush to spread the paste over the interior oven surfaces, including the door. Avoid applying paste to electric heating elements or gas vents.
Close the oven door and allow the paste to sit for eight to ten hours, or overnight.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Treat the Racks
While the paste works in the oven, place the racks in a sink or bathtub. Spray them thoroughly with distilled white vinegar, then sprinkle generously with dry baking soda. The mixture will foam.
Once the foaming subsides, fill the sink or tub with enough hot water to completely submerge the racks. Let them soak for eight to ten hours, or overnight.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Clean the Oven and Racks
After the soaking time, open the oven and wipe away the dried paste and loosened grime from all surfaces using a damp sponge or cloth. For stubborn spots, a melamine sponge can be effective, or apply a little vinegar to react with any remaining baking soda, then wipe.
Remove the racks from the soaking water. Scrub them with a sponge or non-abrasive scouring pad to remove any remaining residue. Rinse the racks thoroughly, dry them, and place them back in the clean oven.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
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Use a Pumice Stone for Burnt-On Bits (Optional)
For stubborn, burnt-on food particles in heavily soiled ovens, a pumice stone (specifically one designed for cleaning, often labeled for grills or ovens) can be used on porcelain enamel surfaces. Always use it on a wet surface to minimize the risk of scratching, and test on an inconspicuous area first. A pumice stone can help remove tough carbon deposits. Avoid using on glass surfaces, chrome, or polished stainless steel.
How to Clean an Oven with Commercial Oven Cleaner: For Tough Grime
- Remove oven racks and any accessories. Put on protective gloves and safety glasses. Ensure good ventilation in the kitchen by opening windows or using an exhaust fan.
- Place paper towels on the floor below the oven to catch any drips.
- Carefully follow the product label instructions. Spray the inside of the oven, avoiding direct contact with electric heating elements or gas vents.
- Close the oven door and allow the cleaner to work for the time specified on the product label (typically 20-30 minutes or longer for heavy soil). Meanwhile, you can clean the oven racks separately according to product directions or with another method.
- Once the recommended time has passed, wipe out the cleaner and grime from the inside of the oven with a damp cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly as directed by the product. Replace the clean racks in the oven.
- Consult the product label to determine when it is safe to use the oven after cleaning.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Using Your Oven’s Self-Cleaning Feature: A Hands-Off Approach
- Remove oven racks (unless your oven manual specifies they are safe to leave in during self-clean) and any other items like pots, pans, or thermometers.
- Consult your oven manual for specific instructions, then select the self-cleaning cycle. The oven door will typically lock automatically.
- The high temperatures generated during the self-cleaning cycle incinerate grease and food residue into a fine ash. This process can take several hours.
- Wait until the cycle is finished and the oven has completely cooled down. The door will unlock when it is safe.
- Once the oven is cool, wipe away the resulting ash from the oven interior with a damp cloth.
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Warning
Always be present in the home when the self-cleaning feature is active and ensure the oven is completely cool before touching or attempting to open it. Crucially, consult your oven’s manual before using the self-cleaning cycle or any cleaning products, as some manufacturers may void the warranty if commercial oven cleaners are used on self-cleaning ovens, or if specific procedures are not followed. Ensure good ventilation during the self-clean cycle as some smoke and odors may be produced.
When to Clean Your Oven: Key Indicators
Address spills and overflows promptly to prevent them from baking on. For regular oven users, a thorough cleaning is recommended every three to six months, or sooner if you notice these indicators:
- Visible grease or grime splattered on the oven door or interior.
- Crusted food or dark residue on the bottom of the oven.
- Unpleasant burnt or greasy odors when the oven is preheating or in use.
- Smoke emanating from the oven when it is turned on (not related to the food being cooked).
Tips for Maintaining a Cleaner Oven
Regular light cleaning can reduce the need for intensive deep cleans. Consider these tips to help maintain your oven’s cleanliness:
- To catch drips, you can place an oven liner or a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil on the lowest rack. Do not place foil directly on the oven floor or cover vents, unless specified as safe by your oven manufacturer, as it can block airflow, damage surfaces, or affect oven performance. Remove and clean or replace the liner/foil as needed.
- Avoid overfilling baking pans to provide space for food to expand or bubble up without spilling over.
- Cover baking dishes with oven-safe lids or aluminum foil when appropriate to prevent splatters during cooking.
- Using roasting bags can contain splatters from meats and poultry.
- If a spill occurs, and it is safe to do so, sprinkle salt on fresh, wet spills while the oven is still warm (but turned off). Once the oven has cooled, the spill may be easier to lift with a spatula.
- After baking, while the oven is still warm (but turned off and safe to access), placing a heatproof bowl filled with water inside for 20-30 minutes can create steam, which helps loosen light grime. Exercise caution when handling hot water and steam.
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What is an effective way to clean a very dirty oven?
For a heavily soiled oven, a commercial oven cleaner specifically designed for tough grease can be effective. These products are formulated to break down baked-on food and grease, often reducing the amount of scrubbing required. Always follow product instructions carefully, ensure good ventilation, and wear protective gear.
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Will vinegar and Dawn dish soap clean an oven?
A mixture of white vinegar and a few drops of dish soap (such as Dawn) can be used for cleaning lightly soiled ovens. Combine in a spray bottle, apply to oven surfaces, and let sit for a short period (e.g., 15-30 minutes) before wiping with a non-abrasive sponge or cloth. Rinse the surfaces with a clean, water-dampened cloth and dry thoroughly.
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What should you not use to clean an oven?
Avoid using harsh chemicals like undiluted bleach or ammonia inside an oven, as they can produce strong, potentially harmful fumes, especially when the oven is heated. Also, avoid highly abrasive scouring powders, steel wool, or abrasive cleaning wipes that could scratch or damage the oven’s interior surfaces, unless specifically recommended by the oven manufacturer for particular areas.
