How To Clean an Oven Effectively and Quickly

Cleaning your oven results in a safer and more effective appliance. Learn how to clean yours with our step-by-step guide.

Written by This Old House Reviews Team Updated 11/20/2024

A dirty oven can turn your dream kitchen into a nightmare. Tackling baked-on grime is no one’s idea of a good time, but putting off this task could hurt your oven and put your safety at risk. In this guide, we’ll explain how to clean your oven using natural and commercial methods and provide tips for keeping your oven clean.

Why Is It Important To Clean Ovens?

A little effort a few times a year will result in a cleaner and safer oven. Here are a few other reasons why you should clean this appliance:

Clean ovens are more energy-efficient: Grime-coated ovens work harder to reach and maintain a desired temperature, which wastes energy and raises monthly electricity bills.
Dirty ovens are fire hazards: The accumulation of grease, food particles, or other debris in your oven could ignite and cause an oven fire if exposed to high temperatures.
Your food will taste better: Burnt-on food particles can transfer odors to the new food you’re cooking. Burnt-on bacon grease, for example, can add a meaty aroma to your fresh chocolate cake.
Your oven will last longer: Built-up grease and grime can impact your oven’s internal components, increasing their wear and tear and shortening the life span of your oven.

Best Ways To Clean the Inside of an Oven

You can take two approaches to conquer caked-on oven grime: natural cleaning methods or commercial oven cleaners. Natural cleaning methods are a good option for routine maintenance and taking on light messes inside your oven. Consider using a commercial oven cleaner if you haven’t cleaned your oven in a while.

Baking soda and vinegar is an eco-friendly method for light to moderate oven cleaning. Baking soda acts as a natural abrasive to help lift dirt and grease, while the acidity of the vinegar cuts through grime to leave your oven sparkling. This oven cleaning method is good for homeowners with respiratory sensitivities or concerned about using harsh chemicals around pets or children. However, natural cleaning methods such as baking soda and vinegar may not be very effective on built-up grime.

Commercial oven cleaners, on the other hand, can tackle even the most stubborn burned-on grease and grime with very little scrubbing. They cost more than natural cleaners, but they’re good at removing tough messes due to the chemicals they contain. These cleaners may irritate your skin and eyes, and many have a very unpleasant smell. If you opt for this cleaning method, wear gloves and ensure you have plenty of ventilation before use.

Natural Cleaning Methods

Follow these steps if you want to use a natural and eco-friendly cleaning method such as baking soda and vinegar:

Mix one part baking soda with one part water to create a paste that has the consistency of creamy peanut butter.
Use a brush to apply the paste to the interior of your oven, focusing on greasy parts such as the bottom. Avoid the heating element and rubber gaskets during application. Leave the paste on for a few hours.
Fill your spray bottle with white vinegar, then spray it over the baking soda paste. This will cause the paste to fizz, making cleaning and removing the grime easy.
Grab a sponge after the fizzing stops to wipe away the baking soda and loosen any grease and grime.
Do a final wipe with a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel to remove all the dirt and paste.

The vinegar smell may linger inside your oven. You can get rid of it by spraying a solution composed of one part warm water with a few drops of dish soap and wiping the interior with a microfiber towel.

Commercial Oven Cleaners

Commercial oven cleaners can cut through grease and leave your oven looking brand-new. Different types of commercial oven cleaners include aerosol foams, trigger sprays, and oven bags. You should always read a commercial oven cleaner’s instructions carefully and ensure it’s safe for your type of oven.

Here’s how to safely use a commercial oven cleaner:

First, open nearby windows and turn on the exhaust fan to help with ventilation. Then, put on rubber gloves and eye protection.
Read the instructions on the cleaner label and see if the manufacturer recommends preheating your oven. This can help loosen the grease and grime before you apply the cleaner.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions and apply the cleaner to the oven interior, avoiding the heating element and rubber gaskets. Leave the cleaner to work for the recommended time, usually between 30 and 60 minutes.
Use a nonabrasive sponge or scrubbing pad to remove the loosened grime.
Wipe the interior with a damp cloth soaked in hot water and baking soda to neutralize the cleaner.
Wash your oven racks and oven-removable parts in hot, soapy water.
Reinsert everything back into the oven once dry.

Is Using an Oven’s Self-Cleaning Mode Safe?

Many modern ovens have a self-cleaning feature, which can be convenient for tackling the grime that builds over time. This self-cleaning feature is safe if you take a few safety precautions and understand the potential risks.

Self-cleaning cycles work by reaching extremely high temperatures, usually between 800°F and 900°F. The high heat burns off grease and grime but can become a fire hazard if flammable materials remain inside the oven. Additionally, the fumes released by the self-cleaning function may be harmful to anyone with respiratory problems.

Take these precautionary steps before using a self-cleaning cycle:

Always read the owner’s manual for your oven before using the self-cleaning feature.
Make sure the oven is clear of debris before you start the self-cleaning function. Remove any oven racks and trays from inside the oven, and consider removing the knobs on the exterior just to be safe.
Turn on the exhaust fan and open windows and doors in your kitchen to maximize ventilation.
Keep pets, children, and anyone with respiratory concerns away from the area while the cycle works.

How Long Does It Take To Clean an Oven?

How long it takes to clean your oven depends on your chosen cleaning method and how much grease and grime you’re tackling. Here’s how long it takes to clean an oven based on the method used:

One to four hours for natural cleaning methods: If you keep up with regular oven maintenance, expect to spend one hour cleaning your oven. A deep clean with natural methods can take closer to four hours.
One to two hours for commercial oven cleaners: You’ll spend most of this time waiting for the cleaning solution to work inside the oven, which usually takes 30–60 minutes.
Four to 10 hours for a self-clean cycle: The time your oven takes to clean during a self-clean cycle will depend on the model and how long it takes to cool down afterward.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cleaning Your Oven

Below is a step-by-step guide to cleaning your oven and some additional cleaning tips to make this do-it-yourself (DIY) task a breeze.

Gather the following supplies:

Cleaning the Oven’s Interior

Remove your oven racks and let them soak in a sink full of hot water and dish soap. This will make them easier to scrub later.
Use a paper towel or the hose attachment of your vacuum cleaner to remove any loose food particles from the bottom of your oven.
Create a paste composed of one part baking soda and one part water, aiming for the consistency of creamy peanut butter.
Apply the paste to the interior of your oven, focusing on drips and splatters but avoiding the heating element. Let the paste sit on any baked-on food and grease for a few hours.
Fill a spray bottle with 1 cup of white vinegar. Spray the white vinegar onto the baking soda paste to create a fizzing action.
Put on your rubber gloves and scrub the loosened grime with a damp microfiber cloth or nonabrasive scouring pad.
Use a clean, damp microfiber cloth to wipe away the baking soda paste residue. Then, use the cloth to polish the interior of the oven.
Place the oven racks in hot, soapy water and let them soak for at least 30 minutes.
Remove the oven racks from the water and scrub them with a scouring pad or scrub brush.
Rinse the racks thoroughly, let them dry, and return them to the interior of the oven.

Cleaning the Oven Door and Oven Exterior

Apply a baking soda paste composed of three parts baking soda and one part water to baked-on grease on the oven door, and allow it to sit for a few hours.
Fill a spray bottle with 1 cup of white vinegar and spray the baking soda paste.
Wipe the baking soda past away with a clean microfiber cloth when the paste stops fizzing.
Reapply the baking soda paste to more stubborn stains and scrub with a nonabrasive scouring pad.
Spray the door and exterior of the oven with white vinegar, then wipe it with a clean microfiber cloth.
Dry all areas with a dry microfiber cloth.

Additional Oven Cleaning Tips

Use a heavy-duty commercial oven cleaner if baking soda isn’t working on burnt-on grease and grime. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully, and never use an oven cleaner on a self-cleaning oven.
Consider steam-cleaning greasy messes inside your oven. Place a heat-resistant bowl of water on the oven floor and turn the oven on high for 15–20 minutes. The steam will loosen the grime and make it easier to wipe away with microfiber cloths or old towels.

How To Keep an Oven Tidy Between Deep Cleanings

Avoid frequently deep cleaning your oven by adopting the “little and often” approach to cleaning:

Clean spills immediately so they don’t bake into the bottom of the oven.
Place aluminum foil or a reusable silicone liner at the bottom of your oven to catch drips and spills.
Use a paper towel or old towels to remove loose crumbs or food particles from the oven floor.
Wipe your oven down, inside and out, once a week to remove spills, grease, and dust.

Our Conclusion

Cleaning your oven can be a pain, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Choose between natural solutions or commercial oven cleaners, and incorporate a few quick-cleaning habits into your cooking routine to keep your oven sparkling. A clean oven offers tastier food, lasts longer, provides better energy savings, and creates a safer cooking environment.

FAQ About How To Clean an Oven

What is the easiest way to clean a really dirty oven?

The easiest way to clean a really dirty oven is to use a commercial oven cleaner. These cleaners contain harsh chemicals, so read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before using them and always use them in a well-ventilated space.

Will vinegar and Dawn clean an oven?

Vinegar and Dawn dish soap can clean an oven with minor spills and minimal grease. You can use a paste made from one part baking soda and one part water or a commercial oven cleaner for baked-on grease.

How often should I clean my oven?

You should clean your oven every three months or more frequently if you use it often or notice a lot of grease buildup.

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