When cleaning something specific, you want to find the best way. Your oven, for example, might be one of the most challenging places in your household to clean. This is because it contains a lot of grease or dried-up cooked food.
Not only that, but the door is typically in the way, making it harder to maneuver around. So, what are some excellent oven cleaning tips for you to accommodate in your household? Let’s find out.
There are many ways to clean your oven, but to ensure you get the best cleaning possible, we have discovered eight tips to clean your oven.
- Soaking the oven grates in hot water and liquid detergent
- Clean between the glass panes with a fly swatter and rag
- Create a thick baking soda paste
- Spray with vinegar
- Put a garbage bag underneath to create less mess
- Use a self-cleaner option
- Use a microfiber rag to clean knobs
- Pull the oven out to clean the sides & floor
This article discusses these tips more in-depth and a step-by-step on how to do certain ones properly. Not only that, but we will talk about some frequently asked questions that are necessary to know continuing.
For example, if you want to clean your oven with bleach, you might ask if it is necessary or safe, which we will answer below. In any case, continue reading for more information.
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Why is it Important to Clean Your Oven?
It is important to clean your oven because it easily gets built-up grease and grime over time. In return, this can cause potential fire hazards as accidental spills can begin to burn more easily. Not only that, but it is safer to cook inside as you will not have any food debris lying around.
What Are Some Tips to Clean Your Oven?
There are many tips for cleaning your oven, but the most important thing to remember is being diligent about cleaning. If you are organized, it might be a good idea to schedule cleaning your oven out regularly. So, without further ado, let’s continue.
1. Soak Oven Grates in Liquid Detergent and Hot Water
The first thing you will need to do to clean the inside of your oven is take the grates out and clean them in hot water and liquid detergent. You can use your dish soap for this method as well.
Also, because the grates are relatively large and will likely not fit into your sink, put them in the bathtub. We recommend soaking it anywhere between one to two hours. Afterward, scrub the excess scum or food particles with a Dollar Tree scrub brush. This will save you time and money.
2. Clean Between the Glass Panes With a Fly Swatter & Rag
Most oven glass panes can be cleaned by opening up the bottom drawer and cleaning the inside with the small openings between the glass panes. Some ovens have these at the top as well.
All you need to do is grab a fly swatter and thin rag, wrap it up, and use the end part of the swatter to go inside and clean it up a bit. Most people may not know this part of their oven exists, so it will be a game changer for most!
3. Create a Thick Baking Soda Paste
Baking soda is excellent to use all around your home, especially inside your oven. Not only that, but you do not have to spend a ton of money getting the inside of your oven clean.
That said, we recommend creating a thick baking soda paste with water. Mix four baking soda with one part water until you create a thick paste.
After this is finished, spread the paste on the dirtiest parts of your oven and allow it to sit for one to two hours. However, leaving the paste on overnight would be better (if you have time, of course.)
4. Spray with Vinegar
Once the baking soda has sat for the desired amount of time, put vinegar in a spray bottle and start scrubbing with a Dollar Tree scrub sponge or something similar. If you do not feel like putting the vinegar in a spray bottle, dipping said sponge in a bowl of vinegar will suffice as well.
Some parts require some elbow grease, but most should come off immediately. However, for the hard-to-scrub spots, use a plastic scraper for them to come off more easily.
5. Put a Garbage Bag Under Your Oven to Prevent Messes
Because you are using a specific spray for your oven, putting a garbage bag under your oven before cleaning would be a bright idea to help prevent further messes. I learned the hard way when I found some baking soda paste on my floor. Doing this will save you time and energy for other projects or responsibilities you may need to do later.
6. Use the Self-Cleaner Option (If There Is Any)
Many people love the self-cleaner option because it requires no scrubbing or chemicals. There is a catch, however, as some people claim it to be dangerous and ruin certain parts of your oven. More often than not, the self-cleaning option will put your oven at extremely high temperatures of 800 degrees Fahrenheit and above.
Still, Consumer Reports it is safe as they have tested thousands of ranges over the last years. On the other hand, it does not mean some can malfunction occasionally. In that case, if you are to use the self-cleaning option, do so wisely.
7. Use a Microfiber Rag to Clean the Knobs
Most ovens will allow the knobs to come off. Use a microfiber towel to clear off any gunk that has built up over time. You can also wet your microfiber rags and wipe it down that way. Afterward, let them air dry before placing them back on. If you do not have it to air dry, you can easily hand dry the knobs with a towel.
8. Pull Oven Out to Clean the Sides & Floor
The last thing you can do to keep your oven clean is to pull the entire appliance out to clean the sides and floors. If you cannot do this, we recommend taking a butter knife and wet paper towel to get any gunk in between the crevices.
However, when you pull the oven out, you can easily tackle the sides of the stove with a soapy spray solution. Afterward, use a stainless steel scrubber or sponge to get any caked-on residue. Again, this might take some elbow grease, but it is well worth it.
After the sides are completely cleaned, sweep where the oven usually stays. There, you will find dried food and random pieces of toys or other small objects. You can do this twice or thrice yearly to ensure it does not get filthy.
If you cannot pull your oven out, we recommend opening the very bottom of the oven and vacuuming as best as possible. Don’t forget to wipe the bottom drawer out, which might be messy, too.
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How Often Should You Clean Your Oven?
You should clean your oven every three months or so. Doing so ensures your oven does not get any build-up on it. However, suppose some food falls while cooking your favorite pizza or casserole.
In that case, clean it up as soon as the oven cools. That way, the food does not burn on the bottom and potentially make your food taste a different flavor (which has happened multiple times before.)
What Should You Not Use to Clean Your Oven?
You should never use bleach to clean your oven. This is because bleach contains toxic fumes (chlorine gas) that can get into your food and cause health issues. Not only that, but bleach will eventually discolor the inside coating of your oven, making it look horrendous.
How Should You Keep Your Oven Clean?
The best way to keep your oven clean is by being diligent and staying on top of it. If you truly want your oven to be cleaned all the time with nothing inside, then clean it the day after using it. However, this chore might seem impossible for most people, so we recommend setting a specific schedule to wipe it out once or twice a week to ensure you keep it in the best shape possible.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your oven does not have to be hard if you keep up with it. Although it might need a little TLC at some points, just remember that keeping your oven clean ensures you remain healthy. Overall, we hope you learned something new. If you have more questions, please check out our other articles for more information!
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