Cleaning an oven can be a tiring task. Hire oven cleaning professionals to clean the oven properly. But if you want to clean it yourself, here is a full oven cleaning guide from a professional.
Equipment You Need:
- Scrubber sponge
- Steel wool
- Scraper with blade
- Microfiber cloths
- Oven cleaning chemical
- Face mask
- Gloves
- Eye protection
Thoroughly Deep Cleaning Your Oven Interior
Once you have all those equipment ready, turn off your oven and get it ready to be cleaned. Put on your safety glasses, mask, and gloves before touching any chemicals, as oven cleaning chemicals can be harsh and damaging to the skin. You don’t want splatters to get into your eyes during the scrubbing process.
Spray the oven thoroughly with oven cleaning spray and leave it for 15 to 20 minutes while the chemical loosens up the grease. Use the scrubbing pad to remove stubborn grease. If it’s still there, use steel wool and apply some pressure. Wipe out the oven with a paper towel. Once it’s clean enough, use microfiber cloths for the shine.
Cleaning Oven Glass
Be careful when cleaning the glass of the oven; steel wool can leave scratches on the oven door. The scraper is the best tool for this task. Spray oven cleaning chemical directly on the glass, use the scraper back and forth to remove all the grease from the glass, then wipe it with a window cleaning spray followed by a microfiber cloth for extra shine. This is how professional oven cleaners do it.
Cleaning Oven Racks
Spray the racks with oven cleaning chemical, leave it for 15 to 20 minutes, then start scrubbing or use steel wool. This will remove all the stubborn marks. To remove food residue that has been cooked onto the rack over time, use a fire brush and scraper.
Method Without Using Toxic Chemicals
Of course, you can. It will take more time. Instead of using oven cleaning chemicals, coat the oven with baking soda, leave it for 15 to 20 minutes, and follow the same process as above.
Common Oven Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
Using Oven Cleaning Chemicals Elsewhere
Oven cleaning chemicals, which contain caustic soda, dichloromethane, and ethylene glycol, are highly toxic and harsh. Using these chemicals on kitchen cabinets, outside of the fridge, dishwasher, or any other dirty place can cause permanent stains or damage. These chemicals are designed to break down, dissolve, and remove grease, gunk, and baked-on food. They can be used on range hoods but should not be used elsewhere.
The picture below shows oven cleaning chemicals used on a dishwasher in Christchurch, causing permanent stains.
Protect the Floor
While cleaning the oven, it’s common for chemicals to drip on the floor. Be extra careful with wooden or vinyl floors. If dripping occurs, quickly damp wipe the surface to prevent stains. The best solution is to put a towel or use cardboard on the floor before cleaning. Even if some dripping happens, your best chance is to use hydrogen peroxide to fade or remove the stains.
The picture below shows how oven cleaning chemicals can damage wooden flooring if not careful.
