Cleaning, of any kind, can often feel like your most dreaded task when it comes to running a household. And when it comes to cleaning the oven? Well, let’s just say this is probably a task that’s lowest on the to-do list.
But more often than not, the task is over before you know it and you’re probably left wondering what all the fuss was about. The key is to pick a day, set aside the time, and just get it done. Procrastination is your worst enemy when it comes to major cleaning tasks such as oven cleaning.
So, if it’s time for a deep kitchen clean before the festive season kicks off, here’s how to clean your oven like the pros.
A Simple Guide on How to Clean Your Oven
So how do you know when it’s for a deep oven clean? There are a number of tell-tale signs to look out for.
If you notice a thick crust of residue collecting at the bottom of your oven, it’s time for a clean. If the oven door is coated in grime or splattered with grease, this is also a sign. You should also take note of the odor your oven is giving off. If it has a persistent smell of something you’ve recently cooked, this means the smell has attached to lingering grime inside. Finally, if your oven smokes or smolders when you cook something in it, it’s definitely time for a deep clean!
With all of the above in mind, how often should you be deep cleaning your oven? This depends on how much you use it. If you’re an avid cook or baker who uses it every day, the rule-of-thumb is to clean it once every three months. If you rarely touch your oven and only use it a few times a month, a deep clean once or twice a year is enough.
Oven Cleaning Materials and Products
There are a number of different ways you can deep clean an oven – it all depends on your personal preference and how you run your home. You can use store-bought commercial cleaning products, or you can also go the long-trusted DIY route and use baking soda, vinegar, and warm water.
Some cleaning essentials you’ll need include:
- Rubber gloves
- Protective eye-wear and mouth mask
- Paper towel or old newspapers
- A damp cloth or old rags
- A scourer and microfiber cloth if your oven has a lot of buildup
- Large garbage bags to clean your oven racks
If you’re sensitive to harsh, caustic chemicals, or prefer to keep them away from your family, you may want to opt for the DIY route. Bear in mind, the cleaning process does take a little longer.
1. Oven Cleaning With Store-Bought Products
Your first step is to remove everything from inside your oven, then layout your old newspapers across the floor, below your oven space. Don your safety gear and get to cleaning!
Before you start spraying, put on a mouth mask to avoid breathing in the product. Spray the inside of your oven liberally with your cleaner of choice. Some of the best on the market today include the likes of Oven Brite Complete Oven Cleaner, Carbona Oven Cleaner, and Mr. Muscle Grill and Oven Cleaner. Make sure to coat the back, sides, bottom, top, corners, and the door of your oven. Try not to spray directly onto the heating elements in an electric/convection oven. Do not spray over the gas burners if you have a gas oven. Once you’ve applied the product, shut the door.
You’ll need to wait 20-30 minutes for the spray to take effect and lift off the grime. While you wait, you can clean your oven racks. Spray them with oven cleaner, place inside the garbage bags and tie them up. Let those sit for 20-30 minutes as well.
After 30-minutes or so, open up your oven and wipe down every surface with a damp rag. Use a scourer for stubborn bits of grime or dirt that won’t budge. Make sure to get into every crack and crevice for a thorough clean. Then, do another once over with a clean, damp microfiber cloth to remove any signs of left-over chemicals. Remove your oven racks from the bags and rinse in your kitchen sink with warm water. Let them air dry completely before placing inside the oven.
2. Oven Cleaning with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Remove everything from inside the oven and lay out your newspaper at the base. You’ll then need to make your cleaning mixture. Get yourself a medium-sized mixing bowl and place 1/2 cup of baking soda and 2-3 tablespoons of water in it. Go for the tried and trusted Arm and Hammer Baking Soda brand. This mixture will become a paste. Make sure the paste is easily spreadable- add more water if needed.
After this, put on your protective gear and use your hands to spread the baking soda paste all over the surface of your oven. The same applies to the heating elements and gas burners – don’t put the paste over these areas. Close the oven door when you’re done. You’ll then need to let the paste sit for 10-12 hours so you won’t be able to use your oven during this time!
After this, place your oven racks in the sink (or bathtub), sprinkle with the baking soda and then pour vinegar over the top. Allow the combination to foam up. Once the foaming has stopped, fill up your sink or tub with hot water to submerge the oven racks. These will also need to soak for 10-12 hours.
The next day, wipe down your oven with a damp rag across all surfaces. If some bits of paste have stuck to your oven, spray with vinegar. The combination will foam and lift off these stubborn bits of paste. Use your damp cloth and wipe off all the foam where necessary. Then, wipe down the entire oven once again with a warm, damp microfiber cloth.
Let out the water from your sink, remove the oven racks and wipe them down with a dry cloth. For stubborn bits of grime, use a scourer to lift them off. Dry the racks off completely, then place back in the oven.
Leave the Cleaning to the Professionals
Sure, you may know exactly how to clean your oven, but maybe you don’t have the time or energy for it? Or, maybe you still need help with the rest of the house. This is where Anita’s comes in to help. If you live in Santa Cruz, San Diego, or San Jose, we can help you find a professional cleaner or housekeeper to help you with your cleaning or household chores!
Request a booking for help with deep cleaning, general cleaning, or even post-construction cleaning services through our handy online portal today!
