How to clean your oven inside and out
By Maria Liberati•Last updated Apr 16, 2024
Last updated Apr 16, 2024
Table of Contents
- How often should you clean your oven?
- What you’ll need
- How to deep clean the inside of your oven
- How to clean oven racks, trays and pans
- How to clean your oven door
- How to clean a gas oven
- Using vinegar, baking soda, lemon, or steam to clean your oven
- How to use the self-cleaning function
- How to keep your oven clean for as long as possible
- Find house cleaning services on Thumbtack
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When was the last time you really cleaned your oven? For your oven to perform at its best (and to avoid kitchen fires), it must be cleaned regularly. Fortunately, cleaning the oven is a relatively easy task, and we’ve broken down the steps for you.
Just remember: once you get in the habit of cleaning after each use, it will lessen the time you need between thorough cleanings.
How often should you clean your oven?
You should deep clean the inside of your oven at least once every three months. However, you should do a quick light cleaning after each use, especially if spills or crumbs are left behind. A light cleaning means wiping up any spills and removing food particles from your oven racks and tracks.
What you’ll need
- Non-abrasive sponge or soft-bristled brush
- Paper towels
- Microfiber cloths
- Kitchen degreaser or grease-cutting dish soap
- Distilled white vinegar
- Baking soda
- Lemon
- Spray bottle
- Plastic scraper or spatula
- Rubber gloves
- Optional: commercial oven cleaner instead of baking soda, vinegar and lemon
How to deep clean the inside of your oven
Cleaning the internal walls of an electric oven can be a bit tedious. You can either use a chemical cleaner made for ovens or choose a natural cleaning method.
To keep it natural, let’s walk through how to clean an electric oven using a solution of vinegar and baking soda or lemon.
Step 1: Start by mixing 4 cups of water with 3 tablespoons of baking soda or the juice of half a lemon.
Step 2: Put the liquid in a spray bottle and spray it directly on the four internal walls of the oven.
Step 3: Let the solution sit for 15 minutes so grease and baked-on food soften. For heavy buildup, use the thicker baking soda paste described below instead and leave it on for several hours or overnight.
Step 4: Rinse with clean water and a non-abrasive sponge or cloth. Make sure the cloth is well wrung out so excess water does not get into the oven.
How to clean oven racks, trays and pans
The removable parts of the oven include the baking tray or dripping pan, oven racks and the bottom tray that some models have. Here’s how to clean these items:
Step 1: Let the oven cool down before removing any parts. Once cool, remove the baking pan, racks or trays from the oven.
Step 2: Cover the pans, racks and trays with paper towels, and spray an all-natural degreaser on the paper towels until saturated. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then remove the paper towels.
Step 3: Spray a solution of vinegar and baking soda or lemon juice on the rack, tray or pan to eliminate any foul odors.
Step 4: Wash the pans, rack and trays with warm water and dish soap in the sink. You may need to soak the racks and trays in the soapy water for a few minutes or hours first, depending on how much baked-on food is stuck on them.
Step 5: Use a non-abrasive sponge or brush to scrub off any hard-to-remove grime.
Pro tip: For heavily burnt-on food, a long soak beats any scrubbing. Fill the pan with the hottest tap water you can get, add a squirt of dish soap and a few tablespoons of baking soda, and let it sit for several hours or overnight. Then spread a thick baking soda paste over whatever's left, wait 20 minutes, and lift it off with a plastic scraper or nylon scrubber.
How to clean your oven door
The door glass is also usually coated with grease. To clean it, use the same products and steps recommended for the internal parts. Remember to always use a non-abrasive sponge to prevent scratches.
How to clean a gas oven
When cleaning a gas oven, turn the oven off and let it cool completely, and close the gas shut-off valve before you start.
Keep cleaning solution away from the burner opening at the bottom of the oven cavity and away from the igniter. Water or baking soda paste in either spot can prevent the oven from lighting properly, and a wet igniter can crack. Wipe around them with a barely damp cloth instead of spraying.
Step 1: Remove the grids and trays, and wash them separately.
Step 2: Clean out any encrusted food inside the oven or any food that may have fallen on the bottom of the oven. You can use a cloth or bristle brush to do this.
Step 3: Prepare an all-natural solution for the interior. You can use a mixture of baking soda and water.
Step 4: Add enough water to the baking soda to make a paste and rub it on the oven with the help of a sponge. Or put 4 cups of water and four tablespoons of baking soda in a spray bottle and spray the solution in the oven.
Step 5: After spraying or wiping on the baking soda paste, let the solution sit for a few hours or overnight.
Step 6: Use a spatula to remove any hardened food and grease. Once everything is removed, do a final cleaning with a cloth soaked in a half-water, half-vinegar solution.
Step 7: The half-water, half-vinegar solution can also be used to clean the oven door and is the final step in the process.
Using vinegar, baking soda, lemon, or steam to clean your oven
Here are simple ingredients that are perfect for degreasing, sanitizing and refreshing an oven naturally:
Steam cleaning your oven
Traditional oven cleaners can work quickly, but some contain toxic chemicals and produce fumes. A simple, safe and natural way to clean your oven is to steam clean it.
Place an oven-safe pot or bowl filled with water inside the oven. Heat the oven to 400°F, and let the water sit for 20 to 60 minutes so the steam can loosen baked-on food and grease.
When the oven has cooled, wipe off the condensation and the dirt and grease will wipe off easily with it. If there are any stubborn areas, scrub them with a paste of baking soda and lemon or vinegar. Then pass a damp, non-abrasive cloth over the area and let it dry.
How to clean grease from oven using vinegar
Vinegar is an excellent degreaser. Fill an oven-safe pan with about 4 cups of water and 1 cup of distilled white vinegar. Place it on the middle rack, set the oven to 400°F, and leave it for 15 minutes so the steam can work on the grease.
Turn the oven off and let everything cool before you open it — steam at that temperature will scald. Once the liquid is cool enough to handle, dip a non-abrasive cloth in it and wipe down the oven walls.
Remove foul odors with lemon
Lemon is perfect if your oven is greasy, encrusted and releasing foul odors. Squeeze 3 lemons and dilute them with a glass of water. Then put the liquid in a pan and bake at 300°F for 30 minutes.
After the 30 minutes are up, dip a non-abrasive cloth in the liquid and wipe it on the walls of the oven. If there are particularly stubborn encrustations or the smell doesn’t go away, rub the halves of the lemons directly on the walls. Once completed, wipe them down with a clean, damp non-abrasive cloth. Allow the oven walls to dry.
Clean the oven with a baking soda paste
Baking soda is the workhorse for oven cleaning. It's mildly alkaline, which makes it good at breaking down baked-on grease, and it's gentle enough not to scratch the enamel interior.
Mix about 1/2 cup of baking soda with 3 tablespoons of water — enough to make a spreadable paste. Spread it over the oven walls and floor with a cloth or gloved hand, avoiding the heating element and any vents. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then wipe it away with a damp, non-abrasive cloth. Rinse repeatedly with clean water until no gritty residue is left.
Pro tip: Skip recipes that add salt. Salt is abrasive and can scratch the porcelain enamel lining your oven, which isn't repairable.
How to use the self-cleaning function
If your oven has a self-clean cycle, you can use it. But there are a few things you should keep in mind. For example, self-cleaning is not totally hands-free — you’ll need to remove and clean the oven racks separately. And plan to remove any residual ash with soap and water.
This feature can also be a fire hazard if you don’t take certain precautions. Before turning on the self-cleaning cycle, make sure you:
- Read your manufacturer’s guidelines for step-by-step instructions. If you don’t have a physical copy, search online for instructions on how to use the self-cleaning cycle on your specific oven.
- Clear your oven. Remove the oven racks, foil, pots, pans, trays, and visible debris like hardened food and grease first. Hand wash the racks in the sink.
- Make sure there's ventilation in your kitchen. Turn on the range hood fan, open windows and make sure nothing is blocking the oven vents.
- Never use a commercial oven cleaner in a self-cleaning oven, before or after the cycle. The chemicals damage the special interior coating that makes self-cleaning work, and most manufacturers void coverage for it.
- Move pets out of the kitchen, especially birds. Fumes from burning food residue can be dangerous to them.
- Stay home while the cycle runs. It reaches roughly 900°F, takes two to four hours, and the door locks — so you want to be there if it starts smoking heavily.
How to keep your oven clean for as long as possible
There are several easy tricks you can use to keep your oven clean with less effort. For example, try:
- Catch spills with a sheet pan on the rack below. Slide an empty baking sheet onto the rack directly beneath whatever you're cooking. It catches drips and bubble-overs, and it's easy to pull out and wash.
- Wiping down the exterior daily. The oven door, including the handle, should be wiped down daily. Get in the habit of doing this every night after you’re done cooking.
- Cleaning up spills and crumbs immediately. Accidents happen. When they do, clean up the mess ASAP to avoid tough-to-remove stains and buildup inside your oven.
Find house cleaning services on Thumbtack
Sometimes life gets hectic, and we don’t always have the time or energy to stay on top of cleaning tasks. When that happens, consider hiring a professional. Use Thumbtack to search, compare and hire local house cleaners. Be sure to ask several professionals in your area if they offer oven cleaning, and get multiple price quotes as well.
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