How to Clean An Oven (Step by Step Guide)

By Janet Bannon on 18th March 2025 (updated: 24th March 2025) in Oven Cleaning Tips

Let’s be honest, cleaning the oven isn’t exactly how we want to spend our weekends. But a clean oven is more than just about aesthetics – it’s about safety, hygiene, and cooking performance. Built-up grease and grime can affect the taste of your food, produce smoke, and even become a fire hazard. Nobody wants that, especially when you’re whipping up a delicious roast lamb or baking a batch of Anzac biscuits!

This guide will walk you through the steps on how to clean your oven effectively using natural ingredients, to keep it sparkling clean and your kitchen smelling fresh, all while avoiding harsh chemicals. If you find the step by step process too time-consuming, professional services like Ovenu offer a comprehensive oven cleaning and detailing service that takes the hassle out of maintenance.

Exercise caution when cleaning your oven or attempting DIY tasks. Ovenu is not liable for any health risks that may arise from mixing household cleaning products.

Why Regular Oven Cleaning Matters

A clean oven is a safer oven, a more efficient oven, and an oven which is less likely to break down.

Grease and food residue not only affect the taste and appearance of your dishes but can also lead to dangerous flare-ups or reduced efficiency.

Regular cleaning:

• Minimises the buildup of stubborn, baked-on grime.
• Prevents unpleasant odours from developing over time.
• Ensures your oven heats food evenly for consistently delicious meals.
• Extends the lifespan of your appliance, saving you money in the long run.

Gather Your Cleaning Materials

Before you begin cleaning your Oven, gather the following supplies:

• 1 cup of baking soda: This is your cleaning powerhouse!
• White vinegar: Perfect for cutting through grease and grime.
• Damp cloths: Microfibre cloths work best.
• Warm water: For rinsing and mixing.
• Small bowl: To mix your baking soda paste.
• Spray bottle: To apply the vinegar solution.
• Gloves: Protect your hands from harsh cleaning agents.
• Mask (optional): To avoid inhaling any fumes.
• Old newspapers or a drop sheet: To protect your floors.
• Scouring pad (optional): For stubborn baked-on messes.

Ovenu Tip: Using natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar is not only reasonably effective but also better for your health and the environment. Ovenus’ specially formulated oven cleaning products are also free from all traces of caustic soda. Say goodbye to harsh chemicals and hello to a clean oven and a happy home!

Now that you’ve assembled your oven cleaning kit, let’s get down to business!

1.    Prepare Your Oven:

• Switch Off the electricity at the wall or mains
• Cool Down: Ensure your oven is turned off and completely cool before you start. This prevents any risk of burns or accidents.
• Remove Racks: Take out the oven racks to clean them separately. This makes the interior easier to access and prevents any splatter on the racks. If the thought of cleaning the racks yourself seems overwhelming, Ovenu includes oven rack cleaning as part of our full oven cleaning services.

2.    Create Your Baking Soda Paste:

• Mixing: In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of baking soda with a small amount of warm water. Adjust the water to achieve a thick, spreadable paste.
• Application: Using a spatula or your gloved hands, spread the paste evenly over the interior surfaces of the oven. Be careful to avoid any heating elements or areas with electrical components.

3.    Apply the Baking Soda Paste:

• Spread the baking soda paste generously over the interior surfaces of your oven, including the sides, back, and bottom.

Important: Avoid applying the paste to the heating elements.

4.    Let the paste Work its Magic:

• Close the oven door and allow the baking soda paste to sit for at least 12 hours, or ideally overnight. This gives the baking soda time to break down the grease and grime.

5. Wipe Away the Residue:

• Initial Wipe: After the waiting period, use a damp cloth to gently wipe away the dried baking soda. You may need to use a little elbow grease for areas with heavier buildup.
• Rinse: Ensure you remove all traces of the paste to prevent any residue from affecting the taste of your next meal.

6. Spritz with Vinegar:

• Foaming Reaction: Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spritz it over the surfaces where the baking soda was applied. The vinegar reacts with any remaining baking soda, creating a light foaming action that helps lift away any persistent spots.
• Final Wipe: Give your oven a final wipe with a clean, damp cloth, ensuring the interior is completely free of any cleaning residue.

7. Wipe Down Again:

• Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe down the oven again, removing any remaining vinegar and baking soda residue.

8. How to clean an oven door​:

The oven glass door, with its glass panel, is a prime spot for accumulated grease and grime, making it a focal point for cleanliness. Regular cleaning is essential to maintain a clear view of your culinary creations. We’ve created a comprehensive guide on oven door cleaning; take a look!

1. Preparing the Cleaning Solution:

• Create a paste using baking soda and water. Mix approximately half a cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water until you achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency.

2. Applying the Baking Soda Paste:

• Gently apply a thin, even layer of the baking soda paste to the inside surface of the oven door glass.
• Be meticulous, ensuring you cover all greasy areas.
• Crucially, avoid applying the paste to any electrical components, control panels, or the door’s edges where seals are located.

3. Allowing the Paste to Work:

• Let the baking soda paste sit for at least 15-20 minutes, or longer for heavily soiled doors. For very tough stains, leaving it overnight can yield superior results. This dwell time allows the baking soda to effectively break down the grease and grime.

4. Wiping Away the Residue:

• Using a damp microfiber cloth, carefully wipe away the dried baking soda paste.
• Employ gentle, circular motions to lift the residue.
• For stubborn areas, a plastic spatula or scraper can be used, but use extreme caution to prevent scratching the glass.
• Important: Avoid applying excessive pressure to the oven door while cleaning, as this could potentially damage the door hinges or seals.

5. Achieving a Streak-Free Finish:

• For a truly sparkling, streak-free finish, follow up with a dedicated oven glass cleaner.
• Spray the cleaner onto the glass and wipe it dry with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
• A mixture of white vinegar and water can also be used as a natural glass cleaner.

6. Door Removal Considerations:

• Ovenu technicians are trained in the safe removal of oven doors for thorough cleaning.
• However, due to the complexity and potential for damage, we strongly advise against attempting to remove the oven door yourself. Incorrect removal or reinstallation could lead to misalignment, damage to the door seals, or hinge problems.

7. Clean the Exterior:

• Wipe down the exterior of the oven with a damp cloth and a mild cleaning solution.

How to clean oven racks?​

Ensuring your oven racks are cleaned alongside the oven itself is essential for a thorough, efficient clean. Our latest guide covers everything you need to know about how to clean oven racks in detail.

Cleaning the Oven Racks Separately

Oven racks can accumulate a significant amount of grease and burnt-on food. Here’s how to clean your oven racks:

• Soak: Fill a basin with warm water and add a generous squirt of dish soap or a natural cleaner. Let the racks soak for at least 30 minutes.
• Scrub: Use a non-abrasive sponge or brush to scrub the racks thoroughly. For stubborn spots, sprinkle a little baking soda directly onto the rack and scrub again.
• Rinse & Dry: Rinse the racks with clean water and dry them with a towel before replacing them in the oven.

How to Clean Oven Trays?

1. Pre-soak for easy grime removal: Fill the sink or a large tub with hot, soapy water and submerge the trays. Let them soak for at least an hour — or even overnight for heavy build-up. This helps soften baked-on grease and food residue.
2. Apply a cleaning solution: For stubborn stains, create a thick baking soda paste (mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water) and spread it over the tough spots. Alternatively, a specialised oven cleaner can speed up the process — just follow the instructions carefully.
3. Scrub without scratching: Use a non-abrasive sponge, nylon scrubber, or plastic scraper to gently lift away grime. For more persistent stains, a ball of aluminium foil works wonders on metal trays (avoid this on non-stick coatings).
4. Rinse thoroughly: Rinse the trays under hot water to wash away any remaining residue or cleaner. Make sure no cleaning product is left behind, especially if using chemical cleaners.
5. Dry completely: Dry the trays with a clean towel or let them air dry. Ensure they’re completely dry before putting them back in the oven to prevent rust or watermarks.

Extra Tips:

• For non-stick oven trays: Avoid harsh chemicals or metal scrubbers that can damage the coating.
• For burnt-on stains: Soak trays with a mixture of hot water, vinegar, and baking soda for a deeper clean.
• Prevent future build-up: Line trays with baking paper or a reusable liner to reduce mess.

Self-Cleaning Oven vs Manual Cleaning Oven

Many modern ovens come equipped with a self-cleaning feature, promising to simplify a traditionally arduous task. However, while convenient, these functions have both advantages and disadvantages that consumers should carefully consider. We have covered all of these aspects in our latest article on on what are self cleaning ovens as wel as in our ultimate guide on cleaning a self cleaning oven

Self-Cleaning Function:

Pros:

• Convenience: The self-cleaning function heats the oven to extremely high temperatures, incinerating grease and food residue into ash. This means you don’t have to scrub or wipe away grime manually, making it an easy solution for a clean oven.
• Time-Saving: With minimal physical effort required from you, the process is automated, freeing up your time for other tasks. You simply activate the function and let the oven do the work.

Cons:

• Energy Intensive: The high temperatures required for self-cleaning can use a significant amount of energy, resulting in a noticeable increase in your electricity bill. This might make it less appealing for those trying to cut back on energy consumption.
• Odours: As the oven reaches such high temperatures, it can produce a strong, unpleasant odour, which often lingers long after the cycle is complete. Good ventilation is necessary to prevent the smell from spreading throughout the home.
• Not Eco-Friendly: The intense heat generated during the cleaning process can potentially damage the oven’s interior coatings over time, reducing the lifespan of your appliance. Additionally, the process isn’t as gentle on the environment as some natural cleaning methods, which often rely on eco-friendly ingredients.
• Doesn’t Clean the Oven Racks: A major drawback of the self-cleaning function is that it doesn’t clean the oven racks. You’ll still need to manually clean them, which can be a hassle if you were hoping for a completely hands-off cleaning experience.

Manual Oven Cleaning:

Pros:

• Eco-Friendly: Manual cleaning methods often rely on natural ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, or lemon juice, all of which are non-toxic and environmentally responsible. This makes manual cleaning a more eco-conscious choice.
• Cost-Effective: You can easily clean your oven with household items you likely already have on hand, saving money on commercial cleaning products.
• Control: With manual cleaning, you have full control over the process, allowing you to target specific, stubborn areas that may require extra attention. You can tailor your approach to your oven’s specific needs.

Cons:

• Labour Intensive: Cleaning your oven manually requires more effort, time, and patience compared to the self-cleaning function. You’ll need to physically scrub surfaces, scrape off tough residue, and wipe down various areas, which can be tiring.
• Regular Maintenance: Unlike the self-cleaning option, manual cleaning needs to be done more frequently to maintain an optimal level of cleanliness. Without consistent care, buildup can accumulate, making the next cleaning session even more challenging.

If you find the manual process of cleaning a self-cleaning oven too time-consuming or simply want a professional touch, Ovenu offers a full oven cleaning and detailing and service across Australia. Our technicians take care of every nook and cranny, ensuring your oven is spotless and operating at peak performance—all without you lifting a finger.

Safety Tips for a Hassle-Free Oven Clean

When cleaning your oven, safety should always be a priority.

Here are some essential precautions:

• Ventilation: Always ensure your kitchen is well-ventilated by opening windows or turning on an exhaust fan.
• Protective Gear: Wear gloves and, if possible, a mask to avoid inhaling any dust or cleaning fumes.
• Handle Chemicals with Care: Even eco-friendly products can irritate sensitive skin or eyes, so handle them responsibly.
• Cooling Period: Never attempt to clean an oven that is still warm; allow it to cool completely to avoid burns.
• Ensure that the power is switched off!

Oven Maintenance & Troubleshooting

To keep your oven performing optimally and free from stubborn, baked-on grime, consider the following maintenance tips:

• Regular Wiping: After each use, wipe down the interior surfaces with a damp cloth to prevent residue buildup.
• Weekly Deep Clean (If you have time): Aim for a deeper clean at least once a week, especially if you cook frequently.
• Spot Cleaning: For isolated stains or spills, use a damp cloth with a little baking soda paste to target and lift the mess.
• Monitor the Heating Elements: Be mindful of areas around the heating elements. Avoid applying cleaning paste directly onto them to prevent damage.
• Reapply Vinegar: If you notice persistent spots even after the initial cleaning, spritz more vinegar and allow it to sit for a few minutes before wiping again.

Key Takeaways & Final Thoughts

Maintaining a clean oven is vital for a healthy, efficient kitchen and can even extend the life of your appliance. Here are the main points to remember:

• Preparation is Key: Always ensure your oven is off, cool, and free from racks before beginning.
• Natural Ingredients Can Work Well: Baking soda and white vinegar offer an eco-friendly, effective solution.
• Patience Pays Off: Allowing the cleaning paste to sit for the recommended time is essential for breaking down stubborn grease.
• Don’t Forget the Oven Racks: Clean oven racks separately for the best overall results.
• Safety First: Prioritise proper ventilation, wear protective gear, and handle any cleaning agents with care.

By following these simple steps, you’ll not only enjoy a gleaming oven but also contribute to a safer, more sustainable home environment. Ovenu is here to help make it a reality. With our professional cleaning and detailing services, you can relax knowing that every detail—inside and out—is taken care of. Ready to give your oven a deep clean? Get in touch below or give Ovenu a call.

Need a professional oven clean?

By using a professional oven cleaning service, you’ll not only be saving yourself time and hassle, but you’ll be guaranteeing a professional clean with zero disruption to your routine.

Embracing proper eco-friendly oven cleaning practices is a simple way to make oven maintenance a regular part of your routine. A clean oven is not only a healthier choice for your family but also a smart way to keep your appliance running efficiently for years to come. Get in touch to book your clean below today!