Knowing how to clean an oven properly saves a lot of scrubbing. Baked on grease builds up layer by layer, and once it has been through a few Sunday roasts it starts to smoke and smell every time you preheat. The good news is that most ovens come back with time, the right product and a bit of patience rather than brute force. This guide covers the gentle method most people start with, how to use shop bought oven cleaner safely, and how to deal with the door glass and racks.
Before you start
Check three things first:
- Your oven type. Many ovens have self cleaning features, such as catalytic liners or a pyrolytic cleaning cycle. Check your manual before using any chemical cleaner, because some products can damage these surfaces.
- The oven is off and cold. Unplug it or switch it off at the isolator if you can.
- What you need. Rubber gloves, a plastic scraper, a non scratch scourer, an old toothbrush, cloths, a spray bottle and a bin bag or old towel for the floor.
Take out the racks, shelf supports and any trays before you begin.
How to clean an oven with bicarbonate of soda
This is the gentlest method, and it is a good place to start for light to medium grime. Consumer group Which? recommends it in its guide to cleaning your oven.
- Mix bicarbonate of soda with water in roughly equal parts to make a spreadable paste.
- Spread it over the inside of the oven, concentrating on the greasy areas. Avoid the heating elements and the fan.
- Leave it for a few hours, or overnight for heavy build up.
- Scrape off the loosened grime with a plastic scraper, then scrub with a non scratch scourer. Use an old toothbrush for corners and seams.
- Wipe out the residue with a damp cloth, rinsing it often. A light spray of white vinegar helps lift any white film left by the paste.
- Dry the inside and leave the door open for a while before using the oven.
Using shop bought oven cleaner safely
For heavy, carbonised grease, many people turn to a chemical oven cleaner. These work faster but often contain corrosive ingredients, so take care:
- Wear gloves and eye protection, and keep the room well ventilated.
- Follow the instructions on the product exactly, including how long to leave it.
- Do not spray the fan, the heating elements, or the gas supply or pilot light on a gas oven.
- Keep children and pets out of the kitchen while you work.
- Never mix different cleaning products.
Rinse thoroughly afterwards so no residue is left to burn off the next time you cook.
Cleaning the oven door glass
The door glass is where grime shows most. Avoid wire wool and harsh scourers, which can scratch the glass and weaken it. Which? also advises against using caustic oven cleaner on the glass.
For the inside of the glass, use the bicarbonate paste, leave it for 20 minutes or so, then wipe off with a microfibre cloth. Finish with warm soapy water and a glass cleaner. Some oven doors come apart so you can clean between the panes. Only try this if your manual shows how.
Cleaning the oven racks
Racks are awkward because of their size. A few options:
- Soak in the bath or a large bowl with hot water and washing up liquid. Put an old towel in the bath first to avoid scratches, and check your bath surface can take it.
- Bag them in a large sealable bag with a specialist rack cleaner, following the product’s instructions, then rinse well outside.
- Scrub with a stiff brush once the grime has softened.
Wear gloves when handling racks that have been soaking in cleaner.
How often should you clean an oven?
It depends how much you cook. A quick wipe once the oven has cooled after a messy dish stops spills baking on. A light clean every month or so keeps things under control, with a deep clean every few months. If you notice a burning smell when the oven heats up, old spills are burning off and it is time for a clean.
To slow the build up, put a baking tray on the shelf below anything likely to bubble over and cover dishes when you can.
Oven cleaning in Luton, Dunstable and Bedfordshire
If you would rather not spend a Saturday on your knees with a scraper, ST HECS cleans ovens in homes and rental properties across Luton, Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Leighton Buzzard and Bedford, and in nearby Hertfordshire towns. Landlords and letting agents in Luton often book an oven clean as part of an end of tenancy clean, because a dirty oven is one of the most common deposit deductions.
You can see photos of ovens we have cleaned on our oven cleaning page. Book a clean on its own or add it to a domestic or end of tenancy clean.
When it makes sense to get a professional oven clean
Some ovens are beyond a home clean, especially after years of build up. A professional clean also makes sense:
- At the end of a tenancy, when the oven is one of the first things a landlord or agent checks. Our end of tenancy cleaning checklist covers the rest of the kitchen too.
- Before selling or letting a property
- When you simply do not have the time
ST HECS offers oven cleaning in Luton and the surrounding area, alongside domestic cleaning and end of tenancy cleaning. Get in touch to book or ask a question.
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