Oven Cleaning Tips
Easy Oven Cleaning Tips
Cleaning the oven is a big job and a job none of us really looks forward to doing. It can seem like an overwhelming task but once done, it’s worth it and you’ll want to keep it clean!
With the right now how and the basics of cleaning the oven, it can become less of a chore and if you wipe it down after each use, the cleanup process is easy and will mean less extensive cleaning later.
Cleaning Inside the Oven
If you do not have a self cleaning oven, you can still get your oven clean fairly easily. To clean your oven, follow these tips.
- Remove the racks from inside the oven. You’ll wash those separately.
- Scrub the inside of the oven with your cleaning paste using a non-scratch scrubbing pad.
- Allow this to sit for a about 20 minutes. Longer if there is baked on food.
- Come back to the oven and gently scrub.
- Follow up by rinsing with water until all of the paste is cleaned up.
Homemade Oven Cleaner
Making your own homemade oven cleaner is safe and simple to do and it can clean just as well as a can full of chemicals.
Simply mix together baking soda and warm water to make your cleaning paste.
This cleaner can also be used to clean the glass on the oven door.
Cleaning the Outside of the Oven
Just as important as the inside, the outside of your oven should be cleaned. In fact, you need to wash it down any time that it gets dirty as it is a prime location for bacteria to build up.
To clean, all you need is a little soapy water and a terry cloth or a sponge. Scrub down the door, hinges, handles and knobs. Then, rinse.
If you have a stainless steel door, follow the same directions. Don’t use a scrubber to clean the outside of it, as you don’t want to scratch the finish which will show very easily. Use a dab of olive oil to help shine the door and keep it streak free.
Cleaning the Oven Racks
Remove the racks from the oven. The best way to wash these is in the bathtub with dishwasher detergent and hot water. Let them soak for a bit and longer if there is baked on food stuck to the racks.
Use a scrubbing sponge or a SOS pad to scrub them down. Pay attention to the corners and areas that may have debris stuck in them. You can also use a bristle brush to wash them.
Once you have scrubbed them, rinse them off, dry them down and put them back in the oven. If you are using oven cleaner to clean the oven you can spray it on the racks as well. It will clean the gunk off the racks just as quickly as it cleans the inside of the oven.