It’s hard to believe that something so grimy can be cleaned up pretty quickly and easily. Then again, professional cleaners know all the secrets to cleaning smarter, not harder! Today, the experts at CleaningBest are here to share a tried and tested method to clean your oven fast and efficiently! Simply follow the steps below to transform a greasy and grimy oven into a spotless one.

Step One: Take Out Removable Components

Apart from the trays and racks, if your oven has other removable parts such as a thermometer and pizza stone, take them out as well. To begin the cleaning process, start by removing loose debris from each of these components (a brush or cloth is advised for this). 

If you have a large tub or basin to soak the trays and racks, it is definitely advisable to do this in warm, soapy water so that the grease and grime are easier to scrub off. If not, simply clean them off with dish soap and a scrubber before rinsing the components and leaving them aside to dry. For the thermometer, use a damp cloth to gently wipe off grease and grime.

Step Two: Clean Out the Oven

The inside of your oven is likely to have burnt-on grime and charred food bits scattered around the interiors; so, before you scrub it down, clean out the loose debris first. Use a cleaning brush to clean off as much of the dried grime from the ceiling and sides of the interior, and finish off by cleaning out the loose debris from the bottom. It’s important to get out as much of the dried grime during this step so that things don’t get too messy when it’s time to scrub the inside.

Step Three: Spray with Oven Cleaner

Spray the interior with your commercial oven cleaning product; depending on the level of grime, it is advisable to spray enough of the cleaner in order to soak burnt-on spills and grease. Along with the interior walls, ceiling, and bottom of the oven, spray the corners and around the seal and edges of the door; basically every inch of the inside, as well as nooks and crannies! Allow the oven cleaner to loosen grime inside your oven for 10 to 15 minutes (with the door closed) before moving on to the next step.

Step Four: Wipe Down Interior

Put on a pair of kitchen gloves, take a damp scrubber or microfibre cloth, and begin wiping down the inside of your oven including other areas that have been sprayed with the cleaner. Since most of the grime will have soaked and become loose, your cleaning tool is likely to get soiled pretty quickly. Therefore, we advise rinsing it repeatedly, or keeping fresh scrubbers/cloths at hand. For stubborn grime that is still stuck to the surface, simply spray over it, and use a little more elbow grease to scrub it away. Finish off by wiping your oven interiors with a clean, damp towel.

Step Five: Clean the Glass Door

With the door pulled down, apply a runny paste of water and baking soda to the surface; leave it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Pour white vinegar in a spray bottle and spritz the baking soda till it starts to foam. This alone with tackle grime, grease, and stains, leaving you with only the cleaning agents to wipe off using a clean, damp cloth.

Step Six: Clean Exterior Components

Most ovens have removable knobs which can be scrubbed and cleaned with dish soap under running water. Other models which have a touch sensor panel can be cleaned by spraying a soft cloth with glass cleaner, and gently wiping away grease and/or stains. In a similar way, you can clean the front of the glass door and sides of the oven which are typically the last things to do when deep cleaning your oven interiors and exteriors. After you’ve cleaned the outside of your oven, open the door and allow the interior to dry up completely before putting in all the removable components. 

So, there you have it! Six, simple steps later, and your grimy oven will look new again, inside and outside!