How to Clean an Oven

We all know how easily an oven can get grubby, yet oven cleaning is one of those household chores that many of us put off for as long as we can. Unfortunately, a dirty oven can hinder performance and leave a bad taste in your mouth, literally.

But there’s no need to worry; this article will run through a few foolproof methods for cleaning your oven, so you can find the best approach and be sure that you get that sparkling finish every time.

What is the best way to clean your oven?

Regularly giving your oven a thorough clean is essential to keep it working and help you maintain a sanitary cooking environment. However, getting started on cleaning your oven can seem like a bit of an overwhelming task.

That’s why we’ve put together a step-by-step guide looking at various, simple but effective oven cleaning methods. Read on to reveal our top tips on what to use to clean an oven and what works best for the different parts.

Photograph of a navy blue oven in a modern cream kitchen

How to clean the inside of your oven

The inside of your oven is the part that generally gets the most grubby and greasy, so it will regularly need a bit of TLC.

No matter which oven cleaning method you choose, you should always start by turning your oven off at the mains and ensuring it’s fully cool if you’ve used it recently. You may also want to lay some newspaper or a dust sheet to protect your floors and wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.

Remove the racks and anything else you store inside your oven. Once your area is prepped and your oven is empty, start by taking a dry brush and scraping off any food that’s stuck inside, or sweeping away any loose bits.

How to clean an oven using oven cleaner

Next, you can start using your cleaning product. If you’re using a shop-bought oven cleaner, simply spray it onto the interior of the oven and leave it to do its job lifting the grease and dirt. After it’s sat for the time suggested by the instructions, you can use a cloth to wipe around the oven, removing all the grease and grime with it.

These oven cleaners are designed to remove stubborn grime, so always be sure to wear gloves and be very careful to keep it away from your face, eyes and mouth. You should always read the safety instructions on the product before use.

How to clean an oven with baking soda, water and vinegar

If you fancy going down a more DIY route, you can make oven cleaner with baking soda, white vinegar and water. This provides a natural alternative to shop-bought oven cleaner and using these everyday products may avoid a trip to the shops.

Start by mixing equal parts baking soda and water until it is a paste. You need enough paste to cover the interior of the oven. Being sure to wear gloves, apply the mixture to the inside of the oven, coating all the surfaces. Once coated liberally, you should leave this to sit for at least 12 hours.

Use a wet cloth to wipe away the paste, the grease and grime should go with it.

Finally, add the vinegar to a spray bottle and evenly cover the inside of the oven. The vinegar will act as a natural cleaning agent, helping to loosen the stubborn, residual dirt and grease, giving you a sparkling finish.

If you have a pyrolytic oven, you can use the self-cleaning function to do this bit for you. The high temperatures reached by a self-cleaning oven will burn off grease and grime. After the cycle is done, you simply need to wipe it with a cloth to remove any lingering ash. Always check your oven manual for more information on how the self-cleaning function works and how often you should run it.

How to clean oven racks

Once you’ve finished the oven interior, the hard bit is done. Oven racks can be removed so they tend to be much easier to clean. Remember, even if you have a self-cleaning oven, these removable parts will still need to be cleaned by hand.

The most effective way to clean oven racks is to start by giving them a good, long soak in hot water. Two hours should soften the caked-on grease and you can wash the racks off by giving them a quick scrub with a stiff brush or abrasive cloth. Remember to dry the racks before putting them back in the oven.

How do I clean oven trays?

The best way to clean oven trays is to soak them in hot, soapy water. Leave them in soak for at least 30 minutes, allowing the dirt and grime to soften. After this time, use an abrasive cloth or, if you’ve got some stubborn stains, a 2p coin to scrub off any residual grime.

Photograph of a large freestanding oven in a modern grey kitchen with white tiled walls and a wooden herringbone floor

How to clean a glass oven door

The door can often become dirty and murky, so giving it a good clean will enable you to see into your oven while the door is closed.

You can use glass cleaner to clean an oven door. Simply spray the cleaner onto the glass and leave it to sit for the time suggested by the instructions before wiping it off with a wet cloth.

If you want to avoid shop-bought cleaners, you can go for a gentler approach using soapy water and vinegar. Apply soapy water with a wet cloth and give it a good wipe. Be sure not to use an abrasive cloth as it may scratch or damage the glass. Finally, use vinegar in a spray bottle to spritz the glass door and wipe it to achieve that sparkling finish.

How to clean the oven exterior

The final step of cleaning your oven is to deal with the exterior panels, knobs and buttons. You can use the vinegar spray again for this but avoid spraying it directly on. Instead, spray it onto a cloth and wipe until everything is clean. If you have a stainless-steel oven, you should use a microfibre cloth for this last step.

Now you can step back and admire your sparkling clean oven and, better yet, restore great taste to your meals.

How does a self-cleaning oven work?

A self-cleaning oven works by using high temperatures to burn off any grime or food residue. Once the cleaning cycle is complete and the oven has cooled down, all you need to do is wipe away any ash. Always read your self-cleaning oven instructions before using the cleaning function.

So, that’s how you clean an oven. If you need more help and advice, you can read more about kitchen appliances on our blog.

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