How to Clean Every Part of Your Oven, From the Racks to the Door Glass

Your oven is a workhorse in the kitchen, which means it's also an appliance that gets dirty fast. Spills and splatters on the walls, racks, and door of your oven can build up over time, leading to unpleasant odors and glass that's hard to see through. And they can even affect its efficiency over time. This is why routine cleaning is a must. To get your oven sparkling again, we're sharing tips for cleaning every part of this essential kitchen appliance.

How Often to Clean Your Oven

Aim to deep clean your oven every three months, says Leanne Stapf, COO of The Cleaning Authority, adding that this may vary depending on frequency of use. "If you are an avid cook or baker, or notice burnt food, lingering smells, grease, or dirt, you should clean it more frequently," she says. Give your oven a quick wipe-down after each use to prevent a buildup of grime in between deep cleans.

How to Clean an Oven With the Self-Cleaning Feature

Use your oven's self-cleaning function to remove stubborn food residue and grease without the need for extensive manual scrubbing. "Most ovens with a self-cleaning function have a dedicated button or control panel setting for this feature," says Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean. Empty your oven completely, then press the button or select the appropriate setting to start the self-cleaning cycle.

The self-cleaning cycle typically takes several hours, depending on your model. "During this time, the oven will heat up to extremely high temperatures (often around 800 to 900 degrees Fahrenheit) to burn off the food residues," says Sokolowski. "After the self-cleaning cycle finishes, the oven will need time to cool down." After it cools, open the door and wipe everything down with a damp microfiber cloth.

Materials Needed

If you're cleaning your oven manually, make sure you have these cleaning supplies on hand.

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Water
• Dish soap
• Spray bottle
• Small bowl
• Scrubbing sponge or brush
• Bathtub or large container
• Microfiber cloth 
  

How to Clean the Inside of the Oven

Use baking soda and vinegar to clean the inside of your oven, which creates a foaming reaction that helps lift dirt and grease, says Sokolowski.

1. Remove racks, trays, and other removable components from the oven.
2. Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with water until a thick paste forms.
3. Using a spatula, spread the baking soda paste evenly over the oven's interior surfaces. Avoid applying the paste to heating elements or other sensitive oven parts.
4. Let the paste sit on the oven surfaces for several hours.
5. After letting the paste sit, fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spray the interior surfaces of the oven with the vinegar solution, which will cause a foaming reaction.
6. After the foaming reaction subsides, use a sponge or brush to gently scrub the interior surfaces of the oven, focusing on areas with stubborn stains. 
7. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe the baking soda residue and loosened grime from the oven surfaces.
8. Using a clean microfiber cloth, wipe the oven dry.

How to Clean Oven Racks

This essential part of the oven will require routine cleaning to remove stubborn spills and stains.

1. Fill a bathtub (or large container) with hot water.
2. Add a few drops of natural dish soap to the water. For extra grimy racks, add 1 cup baking soda.
3. Place the racks in the tub and let them soak.
4. Use a sponge or brush to scrub the racks.
5. Rinse with water and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.
   

How to Clean the Oven Door

Avoid using abrasive materials when cleaning the oven door so you don't risk scratching the glass.

1. In a small bowl, mix a few drops of natural dish soap with warm water.
2. Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution.
3. Wipe the outside of the oven door, focusing on areas with a lot of grime.

How to Clean Oven Knobs and Handle

Don't forget about the knobs and handles of your oven, which are typically the most touched parts of this appliance.

1. In a small bowl, mix a few drops of natural dish soap with warm water.
2. Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution.
3. Wipe the oven knobs and handle clean.