Cleaning your oven thoroughly can seem like an intimidating task. However, with the right techniques and tools, you can deep clean your oven like a professional and make it look brand new. Here are my tips for tackling this cleaning job efficiently.
Pick the Right Day
Set aside enough time to deep clean the oven without feeling rushed. I recommend doing it on a weekend day when you don’t need the oven for meals. You’ll want to avoid using the oven for at least a few hours after cleaning to allow it to dry completely.
Gather the Right Supplies
You’ll need:
- Oven cleaner: Choose a fume-free formula that’s designed for deep cleaning. Foam cleaners are effective for coating the oven walls.
- Steel wool pads: For scrubbing stubborn baked-on grease and food residues. I prefer ultra-fine 000 grade pads.
- Old rags: For applying cleaner and wiping down the oven. Microfiber cloths also work well.
- Protective gloves: Preferably heavy-duty rubber gloves to keep your hands clean.
- Face mask: To avoid inhaling fumes (even from “fume-free” cleaners).
- Baking soda: For absorbing odors and whitening racks.
- Kitchen scraper: For chipping off chunks of baked-on grime.
- Bucket or spray bottle: For dispensing the oven cleaner.
Remove the Oven Racks
Take out all removable parts of the oven, including racks, trays, etc. Soak oven racks in the sink or bathtub with a diluted oven cleaner solution to loosen residue. This makes them easier to scrub later.
Ventilate the Kitchen
Turn on your kitchen’s ventilation fan or open windows to let in fresh air before spraying cleaner. The fumes can be strong even if the cleaner is labeled “fume-free.” I recommend wearing a face mask as an added precaution.
Apply the Oven Cleaner
Shake the can well and apply a thick coating of oven cleaner to the top, sides, back, door, and door glass of the oven cavity. Avoid getting it on the heating elements. Allow it to sit for the time recommended on the product label so it can penetrate baked-on grease and food spatters.
Scrub and Wipe Away Residue
After letting the cleaner soak in, put on gloves and use steel wool to scrub away residue. Apply elbow grease to tackle tough spots. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Wipe down with clean rags or microfiber cloths until all cleaner and grime is removed.
Clean the Oven Racks
While wearing gloves, use steel wool to scrub oven racks and trays. You can place them in your sink or take them outside to avoid making a mess. Rinse thoroughly and allow them to dry completely before replacing in the oven.
Finish With Baking Soda
For fresh smelling racks, make a paste of baking soda and water. Spread onto racks and allow to sit briefly before rinsing and drying. The baking soda will naturally absorb odors.
And that’s it! After a thorough deep clean, the oven will look shiny and new again. Your efforts will pay off each time you use your sparkling clean oven. Just don’t forget to wipe spills after each use to maintain its pristine condition longer.
