How to clean your oven

Most cooks have the best intentions when it comes to keeping their oven spotless. But many of us—wary of cleaners with harsh chemicals or the high heat and fumes of the self-cleaning feature—procrastinate deep cleanings. What if we told you there was a simple way to clean your oven—one that will make your food taste better, your appliance last longer, and spot clean up easier?

Well, there is. Here at Asurion, our experts have experience with every major appliance. If you have an issue, we can help—whether it's a dishwasher door that won't close or a refrigerator that's too cold—and we can protect your appliances from future interruptions, too. Here's our guide to how to clean your oven hassle-free.

Prepare your oven for cleaning

Before you begin, you'll need to get your oven ready. Here are two things to do.

Make sure your oven is off

To avoid getting burned or shocked, turn off your oven and confirm that it is completely cooled down before you get to work.

Remove the oven racks

Always take out the racks before cleaning the oven—even when you're using the self-cleaning feature. Ever wonder how to clean the racks in your oven? It's simple. First, soak them in dishwashing liquid for an hour or more, then scrub them with a scouring pad. Rinse the racks and set them out to dry.

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Cleaning your oven

Ready to clean the oven? You can dig in after gathering these supplies:

• Rubber gloves
• Baking soda
• Water
• A measuring cup
• A plastic bowl
• A plastic scraper or spatula
• A paintbrush
• An old toothbrush
• A clean cloth(s)
• Aluminum foil
• A spray bottle

Now that you're ready, we'll walk you through how to clean the inside of your oven, how to clean your oven's glass door, how to clean the bottom of your oven, and how to clean the grease from your oven. By the time you're done, your appliance will look and cook like new.

Make cleaning solution with baking soda and water

Combine approximately ¾ cup baking soda and ¼ cup warm water—larger ovens may require more —and stir together to make a cleaning solution/paste.

Protect your oven vents

Cover any vents or openings inside the oven with aluminum foil to keep the cleaning solution out.

Cover your oven with cleaning solution

Use a paintbrush to spread the paste evenly over your oven's interior—skip any metal surfaces and the oven door. Use a toothbrush to get the paste into tight spots.

Let it sit overnight

Leave the paste on—it will break down and lift off grime while you sleep.

Wipe down your oven

The next morning, remove the paste with a plastic scraper or spatula, adding water to areas where the paste won't come off easily. Wipe the entire inside of the oven with a damp cloth. Repeat this step until your oven is clean.

Spray the door with water and vinegar

Don't forget the oven door. The best way to remove any grease or dirt is to prepare a mixture of half white vinegar and half water, then pour it into a spray bottle and spritz the door directly. Make sure not to spray the gasket—which is the seal around the oven door—instead, use a damp sponge to gently clean the gasket. Finish by wiping everything down with a clean, soft cloth.

Replace the racks

When you're done, slide the clean, dry racks back onto their tracks inside. You're now ready to cook your next great dish.

How often should you clean an oven?

Depending on how frequently you cook, our experts recommend deep cleaning your oven at least once every three months. But if you're cooking non-stop for the family over the holidays or notice a bad odor coming from your oven, consider a deep clean immediately.