When cooking your oven can get dirty quickly. Between the spills and buildup on the interior making it not so easy to clean, you may need some tips on cleaning your oven. While there are many methods to get the job done, it is up to you what method you decide to use.
Self-Cleaning Mode
Many people first turn to the self-cleaning function on their oven when cleaning it. The self-clean cycle is a convenience feature. The oven is cleaned at temperatures above normal cooking temperatures. During the cleaning cycle the oven is heated over 800 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, food essentially burns off, leaving behind a small amount of ash. The leftover ash wipes out easily with a wet cloth.
According to Maids 2 Match Dallas, the self-cleaning mode is also only safe if you have a moderately dirty oven. Extremely dirty ovens can pose a fire hazard. Be sure to never turn on self-clean and leave your home.
Table of contents
Cleaners from the store
Oven cleaners bought from the store can be very effective but caustic. People with sensitives should avoid these cleaners. They can also emit fumes in the home, so you will need to keep this in mind when deciding what method you use for cleaning your oven.
If you do choose to clean with a store-bought cleaner, be sure to follow the bottle directions completely.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
This method can sometimes take elbow grease and some patience but tends to be the safest as there are no harsh chemicals or high temperatures.
- Remove the racks and any other items from the oven.
- Lay something the protect the floor, such as newspaper.
- Mix ½ cup of baking soda with 3 tablespoons of water in a small bowl to create a spreadable paste (add more water or baking soda as needed to thin or thicken the paste.)
- Put on gloves and get to spreading. Spread the paste all over the oven including all sides, corners and crevasses. If you have an electric oven, don’t put paste on the heating elements. For a gas oven, do not put the paste where the gas enters the oven.
- Allow the paste to sit overnight, it is best to apply it in the evening after the oven is cool from dinner.
- In the morning put on your gloves and wipe out the inside of the oven with a damp cloth. You will want to rinse your cloth often. For stubborn stains use a scouring pad or other abrasive sponge to scrub, you can also use a spatula to scrape stubborn areas.
- For stubborn areas where the baking soda won’t come off spray with vinegar and allow it to react and foam, then wipe away. Be sure to clean all residue off prior to putting any items back in the oven.
So next time you are dreading cleaning your over, use one of these effective ways to get your oven sparkling again. You are sure to find a method that will work for you.