Say you’re cooking up the perfect roast for dinner. The oven is humming, the wine is chilled, and the table is all laid out.
But when you go to check on the food, you can’t see inside because the oven glass is covered in smudges and grease.
We don’t always remember to maintain our oven’s door, since the mess can be out of mind by the time you’re eating. But cleaning the glass door is easy, and helps keep your oven functional and hygienic.
How to clean a glass oven door? Some natural ways involve baking soda or white vinegar, but you can also use a dishwasher tablet or oven cleaner.
Don’t put this task on the back burner! Use some elbow grease to stay on top of oven grease, and keep the door clean inside and out.
Before Cleaning | Cleaning the Inside | Cleaning Between the Glass | Cleaning the Exterior | Removing Stains
How Often to Clean a Glass Oven Door
This depends on two things: how often you use the oven, and what you cook in it!
Tackle any grease splatters, food spills, and other messes immediately. This prevents them from “baking” onto the glass or door, which will make them harder to remove later on.
Spot-clean the exterior surface of the door a few times a week to minimise dirt and dust build-up.
Lightly clean a glass oven door once a week. You can spray it or steam clean with some vinegar and water.
Deep clean your glass oven door when you clean the oven – once every 3 months (or 6 months if you don’t use it much).
If your oven is a mess – or you want a break from chores – an experienced home cleaner can come to your rescue!
Before Cleaning an Oven Glass Door
Don’t start scrubbing just yet! There are some precautions you need to take to keep you and your oven safe.
Safety precautions when cleaning glass oven doors
Always make sure the oven cools down completely before cleaning. That minimises your risk of injury and prevents any cleaning solutions from burning onto the surface.
This is especially important if you’ve used the self-cleaning function, which raises your oven’s temp to around 500ºC (932ºF).
Disconnect the oven from the socket or gas range if possible.
Wear protective gear when cleaning, especially if you’re using commercial cleaners. Rubber gloves and good ventilation are a must.
Disassembling a glass oven door for cleaning
In some cases (such as cleaning between the oven glass), you may need to remove the door or panes to do a more thorough job.
Check your oven’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to remove the door. For example, some oven models require you to tilt the door to 75º so you can lift it off its hinges.
On the other hand, some ovens let you take the glass out easily without removing the whole door. There are models with buttons on the sides of the door that, when pressed, release the glass.
Be careful, though – the door can shut while you’re lifting the glass out since it’s heavy! Try and find someone to help you with this, if necessary.
Lay some towels on the floor beneath your oven. These will catch any debris and give you a soft place to lay the door or glass down while cleaning.
NOTE: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions so you don’t accidentally void your warranty!
How to Clean the Inside Glass of an Oven Door
This side of the oven door sees the most dirt and grime.
From baked-on grease to food spills, your oven’s interior takes a beating, and the glass is no exception!
Using white vinegar and dish soap
Vinegar is the perfect oven glass cleaner for routine or everyday cleaning.
If you’re giving the entire oven a quick clean after use, you can steam clean it! Start by preheating the oven to 232ºF (450ºF).
Mix half a cup of vinegar with 1-2 litres of water inside an oven-safe dish. Set the dish inside the oven, then let things steam up for about an hour.
Switch off the oven and let it cool completely before scrubbing the interior with a non-abrasive sponge – including the oven glass.
If you want to clean just the door, mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of dish soap, then shake well.
Spritz the inside oven glass, then let it sit for a few minutes. For any food particles, use the flat edge of a razor blade or a cooktop scraper (at an angle!) to scrape off debris.
Scrub the oven door interior with a soft sponge or cleaning pad. Use a damp cloth to “rinse” the door and remove any residue, then follow with a clean cloth to dry.
Using baking soda
A baking soda solution is a great way to tackle dirtier oven doors! It’s also the best way to clean a glass oven door if you want to avoid harsh chemical cleaners.
Since it’s only mildly abrasive, it can scrub off food and grease gunk without scratching the oven glass.
Mix a cup of baking soda with a little water until it forms a thick paste. You can add a tablespoon of anti-grease dish soap for extra cleaning power.
Use a non-abrasive sponge or microfibre cloth to apply the baking soda paste all over the door. Wait 10-15 minutes, then use the sponge to scrub the door in circular motions.
Follow with a damp cloth as you scrub to wipe off the baking soda residue and prevent dripping.
Once the oven door is clean, go over the entire surface with a fresh, damp cloth to remove any remaining residue.
Mop up the excess moisture with a dry microfiber cloth.
Using a dishwasher tablet
Here’s a handy hack to minimise cleaning supplies and maximise efficiency. You can use a dishwasher tablet for oven cleaning – including the door!
You’ll need a pressed powder tablet for this to work, such as Finish Classic Dishwashing Tablets.
Dip the tablet in some warm water so it’s just damp. Then, holding the tablet flat, use it to scrub the oven glass door. Work in circular motions and use gentle pressure so you don’t break the tablet.
If it starts drying out, dip the tablet into the water again – this will prevent scratches.
Once you’ve scrubbed the door clean, rinse off any residue with a damp microfiber cloth. Then use a fresh cloth to dry.
Using oven cleaner
For extremely stubborn grime, you may have to turn to an oven cleaner. Always check the oven manual for any products you shouldn’t use.
When working with commercial products, make sure you wear protective gear (rubber gloves and a face mask) and keep the room well-ventilated.
Popular products include Easy Off Oven & BBQ Cleaner or Astonish Specialist Oven & Grill Cleaner. You can also use a kitchen degreaser, such as Krud Kutter Kitchen Degreaser.
Follow the instructions on the product, and do not mix it with any other cleaning solution. Thoroughly rinse the cleaner off with a damp cloth and wipe off all residue.
How to Clean Between the Glass of an Oven Door
When cleaning an oven door, don’t forget to tackle the space between the glass as well.
Steam and food particles can get between the panes, causing smudges or spotting.
Cleaning between oven glass without removing the door
This method works best if the space between the glass panes isn’t too dirty (or if you’re feeling a little lazy – we get it).
To clean between oven glass without disassembling the door, you’ll need a long, thin implement like a straightened wire hanger or a dowel.
Wrap one end of the tool in a thin cloth or some paper towels, and secure it with a rubber band. Saturate with your preferred cleaner, then insert the wrapped end through the slot or vent at the base of the glass door.
Move the tool side to side, like a windscreen wiper, so it cleans off any stains and dirt. Rinse off any residue with some fresh paper towels dipped in clean water.
Follow with a dry paper towel to remove excess moisture.
Cleaning between oven glass after removing the door
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for disassembling the door. Be careful, as it’s quite heavy!
Apply your preferred cleaner (e.g. baking soda or vinegar) on the interior glass to clean it. Be gentle when scrubbing so you don’t leave any scratches or scuff marks.
Use an old toothbrush or soft-bristled brush to remove any dust and dirt from the grooves and other crevices.
You can wipe the grooves and crevices with a damp cloth, but avoid introducing more moisture. The water can get into spaces where it won’t dry out and corrode the material.
Thoroughly dry the glass and interior surfaces before reassembling the door.
How to Clean the Outside Glass of an Oven Door
You can clean the outside surface of the oven door using the vinegar solution! Again, mix equal parts vinegar and water with a bit of dish detergent – but this time, in a bowl.
Spraying the exterior of your oven risks moisture getting into crevices, which could lead to rust or a short circuit.
Dip a microfibre cloth into the cleaning mixture, then wipe the outside surface. If there’s grease or stuck-on food, dampen the area with the cloth then use a cooktop scraper or razor blade to scrape it off.
For very dirty ovens, you can try Bar Keepers Friend Powdered Cleanser – just test it on a small spot first.
How to Remove Stains from Glass Oven Doors
Brown stains on oven door glass usually come from fats and grease during cooking.
Alternatively, stains could come from food that’s baked onto the surface.
Cleaning grease off a glass oven door
If the grease spill is fresh, sprinkle baking soda or salt to absorb the mess. Wait until the door has cooled, then wipe off the residue with a damp microfibre cloth or some paper towels.
For stubborn or dry grease, use the baking soda paste. Apply the solution with a non-abrasive pad or sponge, then let the paste sit for up to 15 minutes.
Gently scrub the grease stains off the glass door, followed by a damp microfibre cloth to rinse off the residue.
This baking soda paste also works for cleaning a burnt glass oven door.
Cleaning baked-on food off oven door glass
Spritz the baked-on food with equal parts vinegar and water, then let it sit for a few minutes to loosen the debris.
Alternatively, set the oven to gently heat up to 50ºC (122ºF) while the door is closed. This will warm up any stuck-on food and other debris, making them easier to scrape off.
Make sure to switch the oven off before cleaning, and wear rubber gloves while working so you don’t injure yourself!
Afterwards, use a razor blade or cooktop scraper at an angle to scrape off the food. Wipe off any loose bits with a damp microfibre cloth.
Tips and FAQs about Cleaning Oven Glass
Need more info on how to clean a glass oven door? Here are some tips and answers to common questions!
What is the best thing to clean oven glass with?
The best cleaner for a glass oven door is one that cuts through grease and removes stains. Baking soda is a great solution as its mild abrasiveness can scrub the glass clean.
Vinegar and anti-grease dish soap are also effective solutions.
Can I use glass cleaner on an oven door?
Do not use a commercial glass cleaner on your oven’s door unless it’s formulated for use on oven glass.
The residue could create a fire hazard or damage the oven’s interior.
Can I use a melamine eraser to clean oven glass?
Yes, you can! A melamine eraser (like the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser) is great for cleaning oven glass (with just a little elbow grease).
However, you’ll likely have to use a whole eraser or two to clean the glass door (it will get gross). This can feel a bit wasteful, so you can stick to one of the other oven cleaning methods.
Will the oven self-cleaning function clean the glass door?
The self-cleaning function “cleans” your oven by incinerating any grime and food debris inside with very high heat. However, it won’t clean oven glass by itself.
You’ll still have to wipe the inside of the door clean, especially if there’s any ash or debris from the incinerated food. And it doesn’t do anything for the outside, either!
