How to Clean an Oven

Ovens have advanced in technology with most ovens having a self-cleaning option, so you don’t have to clean them by hand. But what if you don’t have that option and want to clean your oven racks? 

Moving Help® will provide a guide on how to clean an oven and oven racks. These methods should cut down on time you might spend without a plan when it comes to cleaning.

Oven Cleaning Materials

Before you begin, you’ll need some oven cleaning materials. You can use oven specific products that may have harsher chemicals, or you can use other products with less harsher chemicals. It’ll all depend on your comfort level. For our guide, below is everything you’ll need. 

• Baking soda 
• Vinegar 
• Spray bottle 
• Microfiber cloth 
• Rubber gloves 
• Dish soap 
• Heavy-duty sponge 
• Scrub brush 
• Paper towels or newspapers 
• Scraper 
• A towel 

How to Clean an Oven

You should first start by removing any pots or pans you have stored in your oven. You also should remove your oven racks. If you have a self-cleaning oven button, you can choose to use it first, but otherwise, follow the steps below on how to clean an oven. 

1. Use a scraper to get any easy excess messes or debris that comes off quickly and wipe it up with paper towels 
2. Mix at least a ½ cup of baking soda with water to make a thick paste
   • You also can add dish soap into the mix 
   • A thinner paste is also OK 

3. Wear rubber gloves and cover the oven’s inside glass and the oven’s surface with the paste
   • You can cover the ground with paper towels or newspapers to avoid a mess 
   • You also can put a towel down to help cushion your knees 

3. Be careful to avoid getting the mixture on any fans, burners, coils, or any heating elements 

4. Let the paste mixture sit for at least 30 minutes
   • Some recommend leaving the mixture for up to 12 hours 
   • The longer you leave it then the better it’ll work 

5. Once ready, wipe the paste out with a damp, clean cloth 

6. You can mix equal parts vinegar and water into a spray bottle and spray it inside the oven and then wipe down with a clean cloth 

These steps will tremendously help you in your quest to solve how to clean an oven. 

Materials Needed for Cleaning Oven Racks

Now that you know how to clean the oven, let’s talk about how to clean oven racks. You can’t clean oven racks when using the self-clean oven option, and it’s hard to scrub them when they’re dry. 

Surprisingly, when figuring out how to clean an oven rack, you’ll want to use your bathtub. Below is a list of items you might need to clean your oven rack. 

• An old towel 
• Soft sponge or toothbrush 
• Laundry detergent or dish soap — powder or liquid form will work great 
• And of course, a bathtub 

How to Clean Oven Racks 

This method is great, and you’ll realize that cleaning an oven rack or oven racks isn’t so bad when you have such a quick method at your disposal. 

1. Lay your towel on the bottom of the bathtub
   • This will prevent the oven racks from scratching your tub’s surface 
   • It’ll also help prevent the detergent from scratching your tub’s surface 
2. Place the oven racks onto the towel 
3. Fill the tub with super, hot water and plug in the drain
   • Cover the water over the oven racks 
   • Some recommend covering the oven racks with at least 3 inches of water 
4. Add at least one cup of detergent or soap
   • If using powder detergent or soap, mix with water first then pour into bathtub over the oven racks 
   • Also pouring a little extra detergent or soap isn’t bad either 
5. Wait at least six to 10 hours
   • While the water will cool down over time, the initial heat of the water will activate the detergent or soap 
6. Wipe down any remaining residue with a soft sponge or toothbrush 

By following these steps, you’ll quickly cut down on the amount of time and elbow grease trying to clean oven racks, so they look great again. 

Moving Help Can Clean Your Place 

Some Moving Help Service Providers on the Moving Help Marketplace offer cleaning services. If you’re moving out and you would rather leave the cleaning of an oven or the cleaning of oven racks, leave it to the pros. 

Moving Help Service Providers will assist you in whatever way you need help cleaning your home, so it looks nice when you leave it and to potentially get back your security deposit.