Ovens can be a pain to clean, but there are a few easy ways to make the task simple. This is particularly helpful for those who hate to clean. Although it's not the most disgusting part of the house to clean, it can still get a little unbearable. Check out our helpful hacks to make cleaning your oven simpler and more environmentally friendly.
Vacuum the Oven
The first step to cleaning an oven is vacuuming it. Use a soft brush attachment to gently clean the bottom of the oven, where food often dries and cakes on. You can also use a vacuum cleaner with a crevice tool attachment for hard-to-reach places in the back.
We know, it sounds silly to vacuum your oven before using a cleaning hack. But, it will save you a lot of time and frustration.
Grab the Baking Soda
Baking soda is a great, environmentally safe cleaning product that you can use to clean almost anything. To use baking soda to clean the oven, mix one cup of baking soda with ½ cup of water to develop a thick paste. Spread the paste throughout the oven and add a little extra in areas where the oven is particularly dirty.
Allow the mixture to sit overnight. Grab a damp cloth to wipe away the grime and stuck-on food the baking soda has picked up. You may notice this once-white mixture is now a brown or black color. Don't worry, that's normal.
| Pros | Cons |
| • Inexpensive • Safe • Environmentally-friendly | • May require multiple cleanings |
Helpful Hack
For extra cleaning power, add ½ cup of white vinegar to the mixture.
Use Dishwasher Detergent Tablets
The next time you need to clean your oven, don't reach for the harsh cleaners. Instead, use a simple and effective solution by filling a spray bottle with water and dishwasher detergent tablets. Shake to dissolve the tablets. The soap cuts through grease and grime, while the water helps loosen any stuck-on foods.
- Remove all racks from your oven and wipe down the inside with a damp cloth.
- Fill a spray bottle with water and add one dishwasher tablet.
- Shake well.
- Spray the inside of your oven until it is thoroughly wet.
- Leave this solution on for 15 minutes before wiping down with a damp cloth or sponge.
- Rinse off any remaining residue with warm water before putting everything back in place.
| Pros | Cons |
| • Contains multiple cleaning ingredients • Easy to use • Inexpensive | • May break apart making a mess • Dishwasher tablets can irritate the skin • Low-end products may not be as efficient |
Quick Tip
You can also use dishwasher detergent tablets to clean your stovetop. Simply squirt some onto a damp sponge or cloth and scrub away any food stains or spills.
Use Lemon and Water
Lemon is one of the most versatile fruits. Not only is it used to add flavor to food, but it can also be used as a natural cleaning agent to remove grease, stains, and other types of dirt.
The acid found in lemons is what makes them so effective at cleaning. The acid dissolves grease and breaks down any residue that may be stuck on your oven's surface. Lemons also have antibacterial properties, which means they help kill bacteria that may be lingering.
Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda onto the cut side. Rub this mixture onto your oven's surface with a sponge or rag. Rinse off any residue with warm water.
| Pros | Cons |
| • Natural cleaner • No harsh chemicals • Removes bacteria | • May require multiple cleanings |
Mix Dish Soap and Water
A simple solution of water and liquid dish soap is an effective way to clean your oven. This method is especially useful for removing baked-on food and grease.
To try this option, follow these steps:
- Mix together equal parts water and liquid dish soap in a spray bottle or bucket.
- Spray the solution onto the inside of the oven, then wipe it down with a rag or sponge.
| Pros | Cons |
| • Simple and effective • Most people already have dish soap in their home • Custs through grease and grime | • Takes time to fully remove mixture |
Helpful Hack
Dawn dish soap is recommended over others due to its immense cleaning power.
Use Steel Wool to Clean the Oven Racks
If your oven racks are looking a little worse for wear, you can clean them with steel wool. This is especially useful if you have an electric oven that doesn't get hot enough to burn off grease and food particles.
If the racks are very dirty, first use a soft scrub pad or sponge with warm water and dish soap to loosen any stuck-on food particles. Then, use the steel wool to rub down the racks. Steel wool will rust if it's left out in the air, so make sure to rinse it off after use and store it in a container filled with water until you need it again.
| Pros | Cons |
| • Abrasive surface removes stuck-on food • Can make oven racks look sparkly clean • Most useful for electric ovens | • Steel wool can rust if not taken care of properly |
Quick Tip
For added cleaning power, apply a liberal amount of mineral oil to your steel wool pad. The oil acts as an abrasive when rubbing against the rack.
Polish the Oven With Cream of Tartar
Cream of tartar is a wonderful cleaning agent. It's especially good for ovens, but you can use it to clean many other things as well.
To make cream of tartar powder, mix 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar with 3 tablespoons of baking soda. Add more baking soda if needed. Store this mixture in an airtight container for future use.
To polish your oven, sprinkle the cream of tartar mixture over the entire surface, then wipe away with a damp cloth or sponge. The cream should not be wet enough to leave water spots behind. You could also try using an old rag or an inexpensive paintbrush to apply the mixture and then wipe it off with another clean rag or brush.
| Pros | Cons |
| • No harsh chemicals • Skin irritation not likely • Can remove rust stains | • May require multiple swipes |
Get Started
Cleaning your oven is essential to keep a smoky situation from happening. Keeping it clean will prevent smoke and odors both in your oven and in your food, so it's a good idea to have a regular oven cleaning schedule.
Get started cleaning your oven with these hacks, and you'll be done in no time!
