Ovens are a necessary evil in most homes. They take up a lot of space and usually get dirty pretty quickly. But, how to clean an oven properly? And what are the quickest methods for cleaning an oven?
Luckily, there are some easy ways to clean an oven without spending hours on your hands and knees.
Whether you need a deep clean of your oven, just a quick wipe-down, or are looking for natural cleaning products to clean your oven, we’ve got you covered.
Keeping your oven clean is more important than you think
First, let’s talk about why you need to clean your oven regularly.
Baked on food, grease, and oil can not only make your oven look dirty, but it can also affect how well your food cooks. Caked on grease and burnt-on food can cause hot spots in your oven, which means that your food will cook unevenly.
Not to mention, a dirty oven is just unpleasant to look at and can make your whole kitchen feel dirty.
How often should you clean your oven?
It really depends on how often you use it. If you cook multiple times a day, then you will probably need to clean it more often than someone who only cooks once a week. A good rule of thumb is to give your oven a good cleaning every 3-6 months.
How to clean an oven: 3 Methods
Now that we’ve talked about why you need to clean your oven, let’s talk about how to do it.
There are three main ways to clean your oven:
- Manual cleaning
- Self-cleaning
- Natural cleaning
Manual cleaning is the most common way to clean an oven. It involves using harsh chemicals and a lot of elbow grease.
Self-cleaning ovens are becoming more popular in recent years. These ovens have a self-cleaning cycle that uses high heat to burn off food and grease.
Natural cleaning is a newer method that uses natural ingredients to clean your oven. This is a great option for people who are looking for more environmentally friendly ways to clean their ovens.
No matter which method you choose, these are 3 guaranteed ways to get your oven squeaky clean.
How to clean an oven quickly in 3 easy steps
Cleaning your oven can be a chore, but it doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort if you know how to do it efficiently.
Here are three easy steps for how to clean an oven quickly:
1. Remove everything from the oven
Take out the racks, pizza stone, and anything else that’s inside. You’ll want to make sure you’re starting your clean with an empty oven.
2. Give it a good scrub
Scrub the inside of the oven with a sponge or brush, using soapy water or a commercial oven cleaner. Be sure to get into all the nooks and crannies.
3. Wipe it down
Once you’ve scrubbed the oven clean, wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any residual cleaner. Then, dry it off with a clean towel.
And that’s it! With just a few simple steps, you can have a clean oven that’s ready for cooking.
How to deep clean an oven
If your oven needs a little bit of extra attention and you’ve got some time set aside to do a deep clean of your oven, follow these steps.
1. Gather your supplies
For a deep, more in-depth cleaning of your oven, you’re going to need some heavy-duty supplies. Grab some oven cleaner, a sponge, a bucket, and some old rags that you don’t mind getting dirty.
2. Remove all the oven racks and set them aside
Next, you’ll want to take out all the oven racks and set them aside. These can be cleaned separately using hot, soapy water or a commercial oven cleaner.
3. Apply the oven cleaner
Liberally apply oven cleaner to the inside of your oven, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. Be sure to wear gloves while doing this to protect your hands.
4. Let it sit
After you’ve applied the oven cleaner, let it sit for at least 20 minutes so it can work its magic. For ovens with heavy build-up, you may need to let it sit for longer.
5. Scrub away gunk and grime
Once the 20 minutes is up and the oven cleaner has had a chance to work, it’s time to scrub your oven clean. Use a sponge or brush to scrub away any remaining dirt and grime.
6. Rinse it out
Rinse out your oven with hot, soapy water to remove any residual cleaner. Be sure to do this thoroughly to avoid any issues with fumes when you turn on your oven. If you notice any lingering cleaner, repeat steps 4-6 until it’s all gone.
7. Dry it off
Use a damp cloth to wipe down your oven, removing any leftover water or cleaner. After you’ve rinsed out and wiped down your oven, dry it off with a clean towel or cloth.
And that’s it! Your oven should now be sparkling clean and ready for use.
How to clean an oven without harsh cleaning chemicals
If you’re looking for a more natural way to clean your oven, there are a few options you can try.
One popular method is using a mixture of baking soda and water. To use this method, mix together 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1/4 cup of water to form a paste. Apply the paste to the inside of your oven and let it sit for several hours, or overnight. Then, use a sponge or brush to scrub away the grime and build-up.
How to clean an oven naturally with baking soda
- Open the oven and remove any racks or dishes from inside
- Mix one part water with one part baking soda to form a paste.
- Spread the paste onto the oven walls and door, using a sponge or cloth.
- Let the paste sit for 30 minutes, then wipe it away with a damp cloth.
Another natural cleaning option is white vinegar. To use this method, mix together 1/2 cup of white vinegar with 1/4 cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the inside of your oven and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then, use a sponge or brush to scrub away the dirt and grime.
How to clean an oven with white vinegar
- Open the oven and remove any racks or dishes from inside
- Mix one part white vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the mixture onto the inside of your oven, making sure to cover all surfaces.
- Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then wipe it away with a damp cloth.
That’s it! Now your oven is clean and ready for use.
Once you’ve finished cleaning, be sure to rinse out your oven with hot, soapy water to remove any residual cleaner.
Maintaining your oven in between cleans
Let’s be honest – no one really enjoys spending time cleaning their oven. This is why it’s important to take some preventative measures to help keep your oven clean in between major cleanings. An important aspect of knowing how to clean an oven properly is knowing how to maintain it on a day-to-day basis.
Here are some tips for how to keep your oven clean:
1. Line your oven racks with foil
One of the best ways to keep your oven clean is to line your oven racks with foil. This will help catch any drips or spills and make them much easier to clean up. Simply line the oven racks with foil before you start cooking and then remove and dispose of the foil when you’re done.
2. Use a drip pan
Another great way to keep your oven clean is to use a drip pan. A drip pan is a shallow pan that goes underneath your baking dish or roasting pan to catch any drips or spills. This will help prevent baked-on messes and make clean-up much easier.
3. Wipe up spills immediately
If you do have a spill in your oven, be sure to wipe it up immediately. The longer a spill sits, the harder it will be to clean. So, if you have a spill, quickly wipe it up with a paper towel or damp cloth.
4. Clean your oven regularly
Of course, the best way to keep your oven clean is to simply clean it on a regular basis. This doesn’t mean you have to do a deep clean every week, but just taking a few minutes to wipe down the interior and door after each use can make a big difference. By taking some preventative measures and cleaning your oven regularly, you can avoid a big, messy clean-up down the road.
Cleaning an oven can be a daunting task, but it’s important to keep it clean for optimal cooking performance. By following these simple steps, you can quickly and easily clean your oven, no matter how big the job is.
Whether you need a deep clean of your oven, or just a quick wipe-down, these tips will help you get the job done quickly and easily.
Still unsure of how to clean an oven? Call a professional cleaning service to get the job done right.
If you’re not up for cleaning your oven yourself, there’s no shame in calling a professional cleaning service to do it for you. They have the experience and knowledge to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
While it may cost a bit more than doing it yourself, it’s worth it to have the peace of mind knowing that your oven is clean and ready to use.
Wecasa domestic cleaners will be happy to help you clean your oven and get it looking like new again. Our experienced home cleaners are available all throughout London and can come to your home at a time that’s convenient for you.
