The Best Technique on How to Clean an Oven

Step 1: What Is the Best Way to Clean an Oven?

This is a matter of personal preference. Most ovens are self-cleaning these days, so you can opt to go that route… but beware, a strong odor will linger in your house for a day or two. The other method is done with a cleaning mixture and some elbow grease – which means that it requires more time and effort.

See post: Julien K., Hometalk Team|Cleaning Oven Racks In The Bathtub

Step 2: Try This Natural Oven Cleaner

If you decide to go the natural route, you’ll begin by pouring a thick layer of baking soda onto the bottom of the oven. Next, pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and spritz it all over the bottom of the oven. Let it sit for a half an hour. Use an old rag to wipe up the mixture, scrubbing at any trouble spots. If the sides and back of your oven are dirty as well, use the rag to scrub some of the mixtures in those areas. Last, use a clean wet rag to wash away the mixture completely.

See post: Karen - The Graphics Fairy|How To Clean Your Oven Naturally!

Step 3: DIY Oven Cleaner Using Orange Peels

For a citrus spin on the previous technique, begin by preparing a jar full of orange peels and white vinegar. Let it sit for five days until the vinegar and orange peels have thoroughly melded together. Pour it into a spray bottle and use it the same way you did in the previous method.

See post: Shawna Bailey|An Insanely Easy Eco Oven Cleaner

Step 4: How to Clean Oven Racks

In addition to cleaning the walls of your oven, you’ll also want to clean the wire racks. Instead of struggling to fit them in your sink, simply fill up your bathtub with water along with a healthy dose of dish soap. Let everything soak overnight. When you come back in the morning, wrap aluminum foil around an old toothbrush and use it to scrub all the nooks and crannies on the rack. Rinse, let dry and then pop them back into your oven.

See post: Julien K., Hometalk Team|Cleaning Oven Racks In The Bathtub

Step 5: How to Clean Your Glass Oven Door  

The inside of the oven won’t look any cleaner from the outside if you don’t clean the glass! The process is similar to cleaning the inside, but it is important to cover the holes toward the top of the door with a piece of painter’s tape to avoid dropping any of the baking soda and vinegar mixtures inside. Use the paste to scrub at the glass and then vacuum up the excess with a wet/dry shop vac.

See post: Chas’ Crazy Creations|How To Clean An Oven Window

See post: Chas’ Crazy Creations|How To Clean An Oven Window

Step 6: Clean Between the Glass

You’re not finished yet! Somehow, the space between the two glass windows can get dirty too. But there’s a surprisingly easy way to clean it. Simply remove the screws at the top of the door and grab a butter knife to gently separate the frame from the door. Wipe it clean in the same way that you just scoured the other glass surface, using a baking soda and white vinegar paste.

See post: ScavengerChic|Cleaning Between the Glass on an Oven Door

Step 7: Clean the Stove Grates Too

Now that we’ve finished cleaning the oven, we might as well clean the stovetop as well. If you have a gas stove, you’ve probably struggled to clean those pesky stove burner grates. But there is a simple way to clean them which won’t require much scrubbing. Place the grates in a large sealable bag and set that on an old cookie sheet. Pour one cup of ammonia in the bag, seal it and let everything sit outside on a warm day for at least 24 hours (be sure to wear a mask when handling ammonia). When you open the bag back up, your grates should be clean as a whistle! If there are any persistent spots, use dish soap and a sponge to finish the job. Rinse and place back on the stove top.

See post: Sunny Simple Life|How To Clean Your Stove Grates

Step 8: Or Clean the Cooktop If You Have One

If you have an electric stove with a flat cooktop, then you likely have some hardened spills that will be difficult to remove. To clean the cooktop you’ll want to use (surprise surprise) baking soda again! Begin by wiping down the surface with a hot soapy dishcloth and then sprinkle baking soda across the surface. Lay the dishcloth across the surface and let everything soak for a few minutes. Use the cloth to wipe everything clean, and finish with a dose of glass cleaner to eliminate any streaks.

See post: Angela|How To Clean A Glass Cooktop and Get A Streak Free Shine

Step 9: De-Grease the Hood

The last step is to clean your hood. Remove the filters off of the hood and place them on a towel on your work surface. Heat up a large pot of water on the stove until it is warm and pour in a cup of vinegar and a tablespoon of Dawn dish soap. Then slowly and carefully pour in ⅓ of a cup of baking soda, stirring as you go. Once it begins to boil, turn off the stove and place the filter in the pot. Let it sit for a couple of minutes and then (using an oven mitt) turn it around and repeat on the other half. Use a toothbrush to remove any extra stubborn grease. Rinse clean. Dip a sponge in the mixture and use it to wipe the grease off of the rest of the surfaces on the hood. Rinse and you’re finished!

See post: Elena K, Hometalk Team| No-Rub Magic DIY Cleaner & Degreaser For Your Kitchen Hood

While learning how to clean an oven may not be the most enjoyable activity, there is something very satisfying about scouring your oven until it sparkles. There are different methods for cleaning each part of the oven but many of the techniques use similar ingredients that you probably already have lying around the house – which makes this a fairly simple job that can be done spur of the moment on a weekend when you find yourself with some free time. Do you have any clever oven cleaning hacks? If so, be sure to share them with us in the comments section!

Written for the Hometalk community by: Faith Provencher | Design Fixation