Your oven might be an integral part of your kitchen, but it’s also one of the hardest to clean. There are so many surfaces, places where dirt and grease can hide, and hard-to-reach areas that cleaning your oven will require a little more effort than cleaning other parts of your home. A dirty oven can be unsightly and dangerous, not to mention gross and smelly. There are several ways to clean an oven, but you’ll want to make sure you go about it the right way if you want your oven to remain in good shape and thoroughly clean without damage or risk of harm to yourself. The following are five easy steps on how to thoroughly clean an oven.
Step 1 - Remove as much gunk as possible
The first step to a clean oven is removing as much grime and gunk as possible. This means taking everything out of the oven, including the racks, and giving it a good scrub. Start by spraying down the inside of the oven with a degreaser or all-purpose cleaner and letting it sit for a few minutes. Then, use a sponge or scrub brush like the Pot Brite™ All-Purpose Scrub Sponge to remove any caked-on food or grease.
Step 2 - Soak with ammonia
If you have any particularly stubborn spots or hardened dirt, you may want to use ammonia -- a very effective cleaning agent, but it can be dangerous if used improperly. Be sure to open all the windows and doors in your kitchen before starting, and wear gloves and a mask while you work. Soak a Lola® Natural Cellulose Scrub Sponge in ammonia, then gently apply it to the inside of the oven. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, then wipe away the grime.
Step 3 - Scrub off residue
Make a paste out of baking soda and water. Next, apply the paste to the oven surface and let it sit for about 15 minutes. After that, use a Lola® Scrub N' Wipe Boss to scrub off any residue. Finally, rinse the surface with warm water and dry it with a Reusable & Biodegradable Wowables® Paper Towel. For tough stains, mix dish soap and baking soda together into a paste before applying it to the oven surface.
Step 4 - Deodorize, deodorize, deodorize
You may be surprised to learn that there are a few simple household ingredients that can effectively clean and deodorize your oven. Baking soda, vinegar, and lemon are all great options. Simply mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar together to form a paste, then spread it on the inside of your oven. Let it sit for a few hours, then wipe it away with a damp Lola® Jumbo Microfiber Cleaning Cloth. For extra deodorizing power, you can add a few drops of lemon essential oil to the mixture.
Step 5 - Prevent buildup from happening again
The best way to prevent a mess is to avoid it altogether. But since that's not always possible, here are some tips for cleaning your oven and keeping it clean:
- Use oven liners. These can be found at most hardware stores and will catch drips and spills, making them much easier to clean.
- Wipe up spills as soon as they happen. The longer they sit, the harder they'll be to clean.
- Don't use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners on your oven. They may seem like they're doing the job, but you're only hurting yourself in the long run. They could leave residue behind and cause more work later on.
- Keep your oven shiny by wiping down the walls regularly with soap and water.
Cleaning an oven isn’t the most fun activity in the world, but it can be made easier with the right tools and techniques. With the effective, yet simple, steps above, you can clean your oven thoroughly. So, get started!
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