Ovens can be a pain to clean, but with a few simple tricks, they can be cleaned quickly and efficiently. Left uncleaned, this will result in a build-up of dirt, food particles, and oils. Not only is this unsightly, it can also cause your oven to malfunction. In this article, we’ll share some of the best oven cleaning hacks you’ll ever need. From using baking soda to getting rid of grease and dirt, these tips will help make your oven cleaning a breeze. We’ll start with the simplest hacks, and work our way up to some amazing cleaning tricks that can completely transform how you clean your oven.

 

How often should I clean my oven?

There is no one answer to this question! It depends on the type of oven, how often it’s used, and any other factors. But generally speaking, an oven should be cleaned every few months or so with a good cleaning product. Melissa Maker of CleanMySpace recommends cleaning the inside of the oven every three months, or when you notice burnt on food or smoke coming from the oven. Regular cleanings help reduce bacteria, remove unpleasant smells, and make your oven perform better.

The best way to keep your oven from needing a deep clean is to clean up messes before they turn into big problems. It’s a lot easier to clean off your oven before you start cooking than it is after, so be mindful of the messes made when you’re prepping meals.

Start with this simple step recommended by Good Housekeeping: Before turning off the oven, place a heat-resistant bowl of water on the inside. This trick helps to loosen dirt and grease. It uses a process similar to self-cleaning and cleans dirt or stains from the interior of your oven cavity. This occurs due to steam pressure generated during baking as moisture evaporates at over 300 degrees Fahrenheit, dislodging burnt on food particles that may have baked onto surfaces in your microwave/ovens cooking area and create noticeable odors when using your oven. Turn the oven off and once it cools, you can wipe it down with a paper towel.

 

Oven Cleaning

Ok, so it’s been awhile since you’ve cleaned your oven and being short on time, you’ve skipped out on wiping it down when making meals. Let’s go over some ways to get your oven back in shape.

Supplies you’ll need:

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Towel or rubber mat
• Sponge
• Something to soak your oven racks in, like a bathtub

 

How to clean the oven racks

To clean an oven, you need to remove the racks so it’s best to start with them. While they’re soaking, you can focus on the oven.

Step 1:

Turn the oven off and be sure it’s cooled down before touching the racks. Safety first!

Step 2:

You don’t want to scratch your bathtub, so place the oven racks on the towel or rubber mat. A large dishmat can work great for this!

Step 3:

Fill the bathtub up with hot water and add a scoop of laundry or cup of dishwashing detergent.

Step 4:

Let the racks soak for a few hours or over night. We recommend 6 to 10 hours. That grease takes time to loosen!

Step 5:

Use a sponge to remove any tough grease. It’ll come off easily. Use the rough side of the sponge or a toothbrush for corners or troublesome spots.

Step 6:

Once you are finished with the oven racks, rinse them and set them aside to dry. A paper towel can be used for this step too, but let it dry completely before putting items back up on their usual shelves. You’ll also want to wipe down any grease left in the bathtub.

 

How to clean the oven

Now that your oven racks are in the process of cleaning, we can move on to the oven itself.

Step 1:

Again, make sure the oven is turned off and cooled down.

Step 2:

Make the cleaning solution. There’s no need to resort to harsh chemicals and cleaning products. We’ve found those to be more trouble than they’re worth, and often leave behind residue and unpleasant smells.

All you need is some baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda is helps to neutralize odors and it’s abrasive action will help to scrub away built-up grease and oil. Vinegar is found to have strong antibacterial properties. The vinegar will build on the baking soda’s odor neutralizing properties.

Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water until you have a thick paste. Alternatively, you can use a soft cloth and plain water to clean your oven, but it isn’t going to be nearly as effective.

TIP: Do not use a regular window cleaner to clean your oven; this can damage the surface and lead to poor cooking performance.

Step 3:

Using your cleaning gloves, (we love these here at CompanyClean), cover the inside of the oven with the paste. You may notice the paste turn brown, and that’s expected with all the grime you’re cleaning up. Let this sit overnight.

Step 4:

After sitting over night, wipe down the oven with a damp sponge or dish cloth.

Step 5:

Add white vinegar to a spray bottle and cover the interior with it. You’ll notice some foam (and be reminded of chemistry class). Wipe down the inside thoroughly again and make sure you’ve cleaned all the solution. Repeat with the vinegar as necessary.

Step 6:

Your oven racks should be ready to be placed back in the oven. Make sure everything is dry first, then add them back.