The oven is a fantastic cooking appliance – but it can also see some fantastic messes.
Oil drippings from roasts. Sauces that bubble over. Pastries that burn the bottom of the oven tray… It’s easy for the oven to go from sleek to sticky in the time it takes to bake some lasagna.
How to clean an oven, though? For an all-natural method, opt for baking soda paste, but store-bought oven cleaner works just as well. White vinegar is great for glass and exterior surfaces.
A dirty oven won’t cook your food properly, and the longer you put this off, the harder it’ll get! So less oven grease and more elbow grease to get your oven sparkling clean.
Routine Cleaning | Cleaning Inside the Oven | Cleaning the Oven Door | Cleaning the Exterior | Cleaning Oven Racks and Trays | Removing Stains
How Often to Clean an Oven
Tackle any spills and messes immediately. That way, the food or grease doesn’t “bake” onto the oven surfaces, as they’ll be harder to clean.
Steam clean or lightly clean your oven after every use. This minimises a build-up of grease, food particles, and grime inside.
Spot clean the exterior a few times a week to lessen dust and dirt build-up. You can also lightly clean the glass door at the same time.
Deep clean the oven once every 3 months – or every 6 months if you don’t use it much.
If you’ve just hosted a dinner party or feel daunted by the gunk in your oven, don’t be afraid to bring reinforcements – book in a house cleaner and add on an oven clean!
Routine Oven Cleaning
It’s good practice to do a quick clean after you use your oven.
This lets you remove any food debris and wipe any grease residue, minimising build-up.
Using steam
This is a similar hack to cleaning the microwave! The steam helps loosen residue inside the oven, making it easier to clean off.
Steam cleaning an oven is best for mild dirt or routine cleaning. It won’t remove baked-on food or other stubborn residue.
Preheat the oven to 232ºC (250ºF). Add 1-2 litres of warm water to an oven-safe container (avoid using glass), plus half a cup of vinegar.
Place the container on the lower rack, then shut the door and let the mixture heat up for an hour. The steam will be trapped inside, loosening the dirt.
Switch off the oven and let it cool to a safe temperature. Remove the container and use a non-abrasive sponge to scrub the oven’s interior.
You can also use a steam cleaner or the steam clean function in your oven.
Using white vinegar
For a homemade multi-purpose cleaner, mix up equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of dish soap and give it a good shake.
Spritz the oven interior, then let it sit for a few minutes. Then use a non-abrasive sponge to gently scrub the surfaces clean.
For baked-on food, use a cooktop scraper or razor blade held at an angle and scrape off.
How to Clean Inside of an Oven
Always switch off the oven and let it completely cool before cleaning! This minimises the risk of injury and prevents the cleaning solution from burning onto a surface.
Disconnect the oven from its socket if possible; for a gas oven, disconnect it from the gas source. Then remove any racks and trays – you can clean those separately.
Wear protective gear such as rubber gloves and a face mask, especially if you’re using commercial oven cleaners. Ensure the room has good ventilation as well.
Start by brushing out any loose food crumbs and debris. You can lay some old newspapers under the oven to catch the debris and toss it right out!
Using baking soda
This is one of the best ways to clean the inside of an oven! Baking soda is a mild abrasive, so it’s great for scrubbing off stubborn stains and residue.
It’s also a good option for people who prefer to clean without harsh chemicals or fumes.
Mix baking soda and water in a 3:1 ratio to form a cleaning paste – enough to spread inside your oven. Add a few drops of dish soap for extra cleaning power.
Use a soft cloth or sponge to apply the baking soda paste all over the oven’s interior surfaces. Avoid any vents or heating elements.
Let the paste sit for a few hours. For deep cleaning, let the paste sit overnight (about 12 hours).
Take a damp cloth or sponge and scrub the surfaces in gentle, circular motions. Rinse the cloth whenever it gets too dirty.
You can spritz particularly dirty areas with a bit of the vinegar mixture. Otherwise, use a cooktop scraper or razor blade to scrape off any food residue.
Follow with a fresh, damp cloth to wipe off any remaining residue. You can do a quick spritz with the vinegar mixture, then wipe the interior dry.
Using a dishwasher tablet
If you’re a fan of dishwasher tablets, there are a few ways to use them around the house! One hack that’s gaining popularity is oven cleaning with a dishwasher tablet.
It’s important to use the pressed powder form, such as the Finish Powerball Dishwasher Tablets or EcoStore Dish Tabs.
Give the tablet a quick dip in some warm water, enough to dampen it. Then holding it flat on the oven surfaces, use it to gently scrub in circular motions.
Avoid using too much pressure or you could break the tablet! And make sure to keep the tablet moist so it doesn’t scratch the oven.
Once you’ve finished scrubbing, wipe the inside surfaces with a damp cloth to remove any residue. Follow with a fresh microfibre cloth to dry.
TIP: You can use this method for the oven door as well!
Using oven cleaner
If you need to deep clean an oven – especially one with a lot of baked-on grime – commercial oven cleaner is highly effective.
Always work in a well-ventilated kitchen and wear rubber gloves and a face mask. Keep any pets or kids out while working.
Easy Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner is a popular online choice! You can also go for Scrub Daddy Power Paste or Bar Keepers Friend Powdered Cleanser.
Check your owner’s manual for any products that should not be used.
Test your chosen cleaner on a small spot first to ensure it won’t damage the finish inside your oven.
Follow the product instructions, especially for how long a product can sit. Do not mix the product with other cleaning solutions, and never use an oven cleaner with the self-cleaning cycle.
Keep a paper towel handy to catch any drips.
Wipe off any residue from the product with a damp cloth, getting into all the nooks and crannies. You can also quickly wash the inside surfaces with the vinegar and dish soap mix!
Using the self-cleaning function
Remove any racks, trays, and pans from the oven. Read the owner’s manual thoroughly before starting your oven’s self-cleaning function.
Be extremely careful, as this heats your oven to its max temperature (typically around 500ºC or 932ºF)! This incinerates any debris and grime inside the oven, which you can brush out or wipe off afterwards.
Do not use any other cleaning method with this feature. You also shouldn’t steam clean using the self-cleaning cycle, as the container might not withstand the intense heat.
Keep the room well-ventilated and keep an eye on your oven. Do not let small children or pets into the room while it’s running – the self-cleaning cycle can be a fire and injury risk.
How to Clean the Bottom of the Oven
A lot of grease and food debris builds up on the bottom of the oven when cooking. That can make that surface difficult to clean, especially if oils or food have burnt!
The baking soda paste is a great way to clean the bottom of your oven. Spread the paste over the surface and let it sit overnight (8-12 hours).
Use a damp sponge or cloth to scrub the bottom clean. Follow with a freshly dampened cloth to rinse off any residue, then wipe the oven dry.
For stubborn residue and stains, try using a pumice stone. Make sure the stone is moist to minimise scratches, and test it on a small spot first to make sure you don’t damage the interior finish.
Alternatively, use your preferred commercial oven cleaner! Always follow the product instructions and work in a well-ventilated space.
How to Clean an Oven Door
The oven door is a bit lower down on the list of priorities for oven cleaning.
However, it’s essential to clean the oven door regularly as it helps keep your appliance functional and hygienic.
Cleaning the inside of the door
The baking soda paste is a great cleaning method for cleaning a dirty oven door. It won’t scratch the glass door surface, and absorbs any grease while it works.
Apply the baking soda paste over the oven glass and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Use a damp sponge or cloth to scrub the door clean, then follow with a fresh wet cloth to wipe off the residue.
Dry the door thoroughly.
Cleaning between the glass
It’s best to remove the oven glass to clean between the panes, as it allows you to be more thorough and remove any debris or build-up inside the door.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions for disassembling the door. Some models require the door to be held at an angle so it slides off the hinges, while others have a button that releases the glass panes.
Lay a towel underneath so you can gently set the door down after removal. It’ll also catch any debris inside the door.
Use your preferred cleaner on the interior glass to clean it – the baking soda paste or oven cleaner works best. Then take a soft-bristled brush or an old toothbrush to remove dirt from any crevices.
Thoroughly dry the glass before reassembling the door so you don’t trap any moisture inside.
Of course, you can also clean between the oven glass without disassembling the door! You’ll need a long, thin tool such as a wire hanger or a wooden dowel, and some paper towels.
Cleaning the outside of the door
Spritz the outside glass with the vinegar solution! Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, with a few drops of dish soap.
Let it sit for a bit, then wipe the surface clean with a microfiber cloth. Use a cooktop scraper for any stubborn residue.
Don’t forget to clean a gasket if your oven has one! You can use an old toothbrush to get into any folds, and always make sure to wipe it dry to prevent mould and mildew.
For very dirty doors, the Bar Keepers Friend Powdered Cleanser works great.
How to Clean an Oven Exterior
Oven interiors see the most messes, but the exteriors get dirty as well!
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a bowl, with a few drops of dish soap. Dip a microfibre cloth into the solution and wring it out so it’s just damp.
Use the damp microfibre cloth to clean oven knobs, buttons, control panel, and all exterior surfaces. For any grooves and crevices, use an old toothbrush or a cotton bud.
If you have a stainless steel oven, you can use a dedicated cleaner such as Koala Eco’s Stainless Cleaner! Simply apply with a lint-free cloth, then buff dry.
How to Clean Oven Accessories
While your preferred oven cleaner is working its magic inside, that’s the time to clean oven racks or trays!
Cleaning oven racks
Cleaning oven racks can be a fiddly process, with thin wires and caked-on grease. The most effective methods are either Easy-Off or Bar Keepers Friend.
For Easy-Off Oven Cleaner, stick the racks in a giant rubbish bag then spray them thoroughly. Tie the bags shut and leave the racks for 30-45 minutes.
Take them out and use paper towels to scrub off all the gunk and grime off each oven rack. Give them a good wash with soapy water, and rinse them thoroughly.
For Bar Keepers Friend, make a thigh paste and apply it to the racks with a sponge. Let that sit for 30-45 minutes, then scrub the racks clean. Wash them thoroughly, then dry.
For a more natural method, soak the racks in a tub or sink full of hot water and dish soap. After a few hours, scrub them with a sponge or some baking soda paste.
Rinse the racks, then dry them thoroughly.
Cleaning oven trays
If your oven tray is dingy, don’t toss it just yet – sometimes it just needs a little TLC and elbow grease.
When cleaning oven trays, if they’ve just been used, use soda crystals (also called washing soda). Sprinkle the washing soda over the tray and leave it for 30 minutes to soak up the food and oils.
Use some paper towels to wipe off the greasy washing soda, then give the trays a good wash with soap and water.
For very dirty oven trays, use the same Easy-Off or Bar Keepers Friend cleaning process as for oven racks. Note that this only works for aluminium trays, so avoid this method for non-stick, glass, and enamel trays.
How to Remove Stains from an Oven
Grease splatters, food spills, and other cooking messes can create stains on your oven.
Tackle them ASAP so they don’t bake onto the surface and become a bigger problem!
Removing grease residue
The baking soda paste is best for removing grease, as baking soda (or bicarb soda) naturally absorbs grease and oil.
While cleaning, you’ll likely see the paste turn brown and cruddy – that means it’s absorbed the mess from your oven.
Apply the baking soda and water paste onto the grease mess and leave it for a few hours. Then use a sponge or microfibre cloth to scrub the surface clean.
For baked-on grease, you may have to leave the paste on for longer or warm the oven slightly so you can scrub it off.
You can also try a degreasing product, like the Ajax Professional Kitchen Degreaser or Easy-Off Specialty Kitchen Degreaser.
Removing baked-on food
For food debris inside the oven, shut the door and heat the oven to 50ºC (122ºF) for a few minutes!
This will warm up the debris, making it easier to scrape off with a cooktop scraper.
Wear rubber gloves while working so you don’t injure yourself on warm surfaces.
Cleaning Tips and FAQs about Cleaning the Oven
Clean your oven regularly to prolong its lifespan and keep it hygienic.
Here are a few more tips and some useful info to know about how to clean an oven.
What’s the best way to clean the oven?
This depends on how dirty your oven is and what products you prefer! Baking soda is a great natural option if you want to avoid commercial products.
However, commercial oven cleaners are formulated to effectively clean an oven – just make sure to remove all the product residue and rinse all the surfaces!
Additionally, check for how long you need to wait until you can safely use your oven.
What to use to clean the oven?
Baking soda is an excellent natural oven cleaner, but it can be a bit messy to apply and clean up.
A commercial oven cleaner will need less effort, but make sure it’s safe to use inside your oven.
What should I not use when cleaning an oven?
Avoid using bleach or ammonia-based products, as these could corrode the oven’s surface. They could also leave a hazardous residue, especially if not fully washed off.
Moreover, the residual warmth from your oven could cause the product to release dangerous fumes.
It’s generally not recommended to use hydrogen peroxide either, as it could bleach or degrade the metal of your oven.
How to minimise spills and messes inside an oven?
Spills and splatters are inevitable in cooking, but you can take steps to minimise the mess!
Use oven-safe lids and covers on your pans if possible, as this prevents splatters.
Place baking sheets on racks underneath pans and trays if you’re baking foods that can spill, such as casseroles. You can also line the bottom of the oven with foil or liners to catch any drips.
Peek at any food in the oven to make sure nothing’s bubbling over. If there are any spills, sprinkle salt onto the stain to absorb the mess and wipe it with a damp microfibre cloth when the oven has cooled.
