To clean an oven, switch it off and let it cool completely, take out the racks to soak in hot soapy water, then coat the interior with a commercial cleaner or a paste of baking soda and water. Leave it to work (30 minutes, or overnight if heavily soiled), scrub with a sponge or plastic scraper — never steel wool — and wipe clean with fresh water. Wash the oven out monthly, and wipe it down after any messy cooking to keep grease from building up.
Many people don’t realize their oven needs regular cleaning and maintenance, just like anywhere else in the home. An oven can actually harbor bacteria and food spills, making it harder to prepare meals without worry — not to mention the grease and burned-on residue that builds up over time. Luckily, our Pros know how to get ovens sparkling clean. This guide covers how to clean your oven and the supplies you’ll need.
How do you clean the inside of an oven?
There are many ways to clean inside your oven — a commercial cleaner or a homemade one — but more important than the solution is how often you clean it.
Wash it out with water about once a month to keep grime from coating the interior, and always wipe down the cooled oven after cooking anything messy to prevent grease and dirt from accumulating.
You’ll need:
- Commercial oven cleaner, OR white vinegar and baking soda
- Sponge
- Microfiber cloth
- Plastic food scraper
- Clean water
- Paper towels
- Spray bottle
Step 1: Switch off the oven and let it cool. Never clean a hot oven — it’s dangerous, and cleaning solutions can burn, releasing fumes or leaving stains.
Step 2: Remove the racks and soak them in hot, soapy water while you clean.
Step 3: Apply your cleaning solution to all sides, the top, and the floor. On an electric oven, you can apply cleaner to the heating coils.
Step 4: Scrub with a sponge or microfiber cloth. Avoid anything that could scratch the finish, like steel wool. If the solution turns brown, it’s lifting dirt.
Step 5: For a very dirty oven, apply a second coat and leave it overnight before continuing.
Step 6: Wipe away the residue with a damp microfiber cloth. Use a spatula or plastic pan scraper for tough burned-on food — nothing metal that could damage the oven.
Step 7: Give it a final wipe with clean water, removing every trace of cleaner. Dry with paper towels, or run the oven on its lowest heat for 15 minutes.
Step 8: Reinstall the racks and enjoy your gleaming oven.
How do you clean a gas oven?
If you have a natural gas oven, you might worry about cleaning it without causing damage — but gas ovens are designed to be cleaned inside, so you can clean it just as effectively as any other type.
Pro Tip: Always be gas-safe. Make sure the oven is completely cooled before cleaning, and if you smell natural gas, call your gas company’s emergency line or dial 911 immediately.
How do you clean an electric oven?
Electric ovens often have an exposed heating element at the top and/or bottom, and may have a convection fan at the back to circulate hot air.
Generally you don’t have to worry about getting cleaner on these parts — they’re safe to clean as long as you use a cleaner appropriate for domestic ovens.
Some cleaners, like Easy-Off, can’t contact heating elements. If in doubt, cover the elements with foil or use a different solution.
Pro Tip: Oven clean? Now learn how to clean your dishwasher!
How do you clean oven racks?
Oven racks can get just as dirty as the oven itself. Most are stainless steel and clean up easily — if they aren’t very dirty, wipe them with a damp rag and mild dish soap, or for a deeper clean soak them in hot, soapy water.
Pro Tip: Sink too small for your oven racks? Clean them in the bathtub!
Another easy method uses a trash bag and ammonia. You can buy commercial bag kits, but it’s just as easy to make your own.
You’ll need:
- Trash bags
- Ammonia
- Clean water
Only use ammonia in a well-ventilated area, and wear gloves and a mask. Place the racks in the trash bag, add 2 cups of ammonia, tie the bag, and leave it overnight. Remove the racks in the morning, taking extra care since the fumes will have concentrated inside the bag. Rinse thoroughly to remove any last dirt.
Pro Tip: Keep cleaning! Learn how to clean your microwave.
How do you clean the glass on the oven door?
Grease and food spatter show up fast on the oven door glass. If you’re struggling to see inside, it’s time to clean — and always make sure the oven is completely cooled first.
You’ll need:
- 50/50 white vinegar and water mix
- Sponge
- Microfiber cloth
- Clean water
- Vacuum hose attachment
- Spray bottle
As part of routine cleaning, spritz the glass with a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar to cut through grease and keep dirt from accumulating. A damp microfiber cloth with a dab of dish soap works too.
If crumbs or debris get between the glass and the door, you can remove the glass from the door to reach the cavity. Open the door and undo the screws along the top to lift the glass free, using your legs to support the door so the glass doesn’t fall once the screws are out. Vacuum out dust and crumbs, then wipe the cavity with a damp microfiber cloth.
Commercial oven-glass cleaners work too. And if the oven is really grubby, consider running its cleaning cycle — it can take 2-4 hours, so not on a day you’ve got a big dinner planned, and keep the kitchen well ventilated, since the high heat can give off unpleasant fumes.
Pro Tip: Got sticker residue on your door? Find out how to remove sticker residue from any surface!
How do you clean an oven with Easy-Off?
Easy-Off is a popular odor-free oven cleaner and one of the best sprays on the market. It’s safe in self-cleaning, gas, and electric ovens — though for electric ovens you must cover the heating element with foil before applying it.
Always make sure the oven is off and completely cooled first. Spray the cleaner all around, close the door, and let it sit for 2 hours so the foam can penetrate any dirt or burned-on food.
After 2 hours, remove the foam with a sponge or microfiber cloth dampened with clean water. Don’t use any other cleaning solution at the same time, and rinse the sponge or cloth frequently until all the cleaner is gone.
Pro Tip: Clean the top of your stove too with these tips on cleaning a glass top stove.
How do you clean an oven without oven cleaner?
No commercial cleaner? It’s easy to make a DIY solution. Two of the best ingredients for tough jobs are white vinegar and baking soda — here’s how to use each.
How do you clean an oven with vinegar?
White vinegar is an amazing cleaner for every part of your home, not just the oven. Spritz it from a spray bottle regularly to keep grime from building up, and it’s effective when the oven needs serious TLC too.
You’ll need:
- 50/50 white vinegar and water mix
- Sponge
- Microfiber cloth
- Clean water
- Spray bottle
- Oven-safe dish
Step 1: Make a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and warm water.
Step 2: Spray it onto the inside of the oven.
Step 3: Wipe down with a sponge or microfiber cloth, repeating until it no longer comes away dirty.
For more intensive cleaning, use vinegar steam to loosen dirt and cut grease:
Step 1: Place an oven-safe dish, like a casserole dish, on the bottom shelf.
Step 2: Bring a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar to a boil in a pan.
Step 3: Carefully pour the boiling mixture into the dish inside the oven.
Step 4: Leave it for an hour to cool — the vinegar steam loosens grime.
Step 5: Wipe down the oven with a clean, damp cloth.
How do you clean an oven with baking soda?
If your oven is very dirty, baking soda gets the job done.
You’ll need:
- Baking soda
- Water
- Sponge
- Microfiber cloth
Make a paste of baking soda and enough water to get the right consistency. Spread it all over the interior and leave for 30 minutes, then scrub to lift buildup.
For a lot of burned-on food on the oven floor, sprinkle baking soda over the buildup and spray white vinegar onto it — the reaction helps dislodge stubborn messes.
Remove the baking soda (and vinegar, if used) with a damp sponge or microfiber cloth, then wash clean with clear water.
Pro Tip: Keep cleaning! Now learn how to clean your washing machine.
Final thoughts
Now you know how to clean an oven, whatever mess it got into. To keep it in top condition, use these methods regularly — always clean up after food spills, and make cleaning the oven part of your routine.
FAQ
How often should you clean your oven?
Wipe out spills as they happen, give the inside a quick wash about once a month, and do a deep clean every few months or whenever grease and burned-on food start to build up.
Can you use the self-cleaning cycle instead of scrubbing?
Yes, but it runs at very high heat for 2-4 hours and can give off fumes, so ventilate the kitchen well and don’t run it before a big meal. You’ll still need to wipe out the ash residue afterward.
Is it safe to clean an oven with vinegar and baking soda?
Yes — they’re a safe, effective, non-toxic combination. The fizzing reaction helps lift burned-on food, and unlike harsh chemical cleaners there are no fumes to worry about.
