How to Clean Your Oven (Without Losing Your Weekend)

19 Aug

Cleaning the oven is one of those chores most of us put off until it’s… well, bad. Between baked-on spills, grease splatters, and that mysterious burnt smell, it can get overwhelming fast. The good news is, with the right approach you can make the job much easier — and maybe even a little satisfying.

What You’ll Need:

Baking soda
White vinegar
A spray bottle
A small bowl
A sponge or cloth
A plastic spatula (or old credit card) for scraping

Step 1: Empty It Out

Take out the racks, trays, and anything else sitting inside. You’ll clean those separately, so for now just set them aside.

Step 2: Make Your Paste

Mix about ½ cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water until you have a spreadable paste. It should feel like thick icing.

Step 3: Spread It Everywhere (Well, Almost)

Using gloves if you like, spread the paste all over the inside of your oven — the bottom, sides, and door. Avoid the heating elements. Don’t worry if it looks messy, that’s the point.

Step 4: Let It Sit Overnight

Here’s the part where patience pays off. Leave the paste to do its magic for at least 10–12 hours (overnight is best). The baking soda will loosen all that stuck-on grime.

Step 5: Wipe It Down

In the morning, grab a damp cloth and wipe out as much of the paste (and loosened gunk) as you can. Use a spatula for stubborn bits.

Step 6: Vinegar Rinse

Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and spritz any areas with leftover baking soda. It will fizz and foam — this helps lift the last of the grime. Wipe again with a clean damp cloth.

Step 7: Don’t Forget the Racks

Soak the oven racks in hot, soapy water (a bathtub works well) for a few hours. Then scrub them with a sponge or brush, rinse, and dry.

Step 8: Final Touch

Put everything back in place and admire your clean, fresh-smelling oven. No more smoke alarms when you bake a pizza!

Quick Tip:

For lighter maintenance, wipe up small spills as soon as the oven cools. It saves you from doing the big deep-clean as often.

Now your oven’s sparkling without using harsh chemicals or spending a fortune on cleaners.

Francisco Gulbenkian