While it is actually only recommended to clean your oven seasonally, the oven is an appliance that often only gets cleaned when it is really necessary. When the time finally comes when cleaning the oven cannot be put off for any longer, it may seem like a daunting and overwhelming task, involving a lot of time and elbow grease. However, like with most things, the task of cleaning your oven is often not as bad as you think it will be once you get down to it. In this article, we’ll show you how to make this chore a breeze.

How often should an oven be cleaned?

A deep clean of your oven should be done at least twice a year, with spot cleans in-between to take care of any drips or spills. However, if you are someone who cooks or bakes often, your oven is more likely to need a scrub roughly every three months.

Outside of sticking to those general timeframes, it’s pretty easy to tell when your oven is in need of a clean. If your oven door is looking a bit grimy or you notice a build-up of residue on the bottom, then it might be time to break out the cleaning supplies. On top of this, if your oven releases a distinct smell every time you turn it on or it starts to smoke then these can also signify a build-up of dirt.

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How do I clean my oven?

You will need the following:

  1. Oven cleaner of choice
  • A shop-bought cleaner will do the best job of removing large build-ups of dirt and grime but can be quite harsh. Therefore, if you are sensitive to chemicals, we would suggest giving the natural route a try.
  • Bicarbonate of soda and water is a tried-and-true natural combination for cleaning your oven.
  1. Rubber gloves
  2. Damp cloths
  3. Scouring sponge (if there is a lot of build-up)

If using a shop-bought cleaner:

  1. Remove anything detachable from inside the oven.
  2. Spray the cleaner evenly over the entire interior of the oven. Close the door and allow it to sit for the time specified on the bottle.
  3. In the meantime, clean any oven racks that were removed from the oven.
  4. Open the oven and wipe down all areas where the cleaner has been sitting.

If using bicarbonate of soda and water:

  1. In a bowl, make a paste with the bicarb and a little water.
  2. Remove oven racks any anything else detachable from inside the oven.
  3. Spread the paste all over the inside of the oven. Leave it to sit for a couple of hours or, ideally, overnight.
  4. In the meantime, clean any racks or detachable components that were removed from the oven.
  5. After the mixture has sat for enough time, use a damp cloth and (if necessary) a scouring sponge to clean all of the dirt from inside the oven.

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Featured image: JOSBRA design on Unsplash