Clean Your Greasy Oven Like A Pro In 8 Easy Steps

An oven is one of the most used appliances in a kitchen. Understandably thus, the oven gets greasy and dirty quite quickly. It is however very important for you to clean your oven regularly to maintain the hygiene levels. Regular cleaning also ensures your oven stays in a good condition and lasts longer. But are you intimidated by the thought of having to clean the oven? Well, there is no need to worry! The job can quickly and effortlessly be completed in some rather simple steps. Read on to know more.

Cleaning your oven

Listed below are the simple steps that you need to follow while cleaning your oven. Take a look:

Things you need

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Liquid detergent
• Damp cloth
• Sponge
• Water
• Rubber gloves

Process

1. Take out the racks and trays

Your oven must be having a couple of racks and some trays inside. Start off by taking these accessories out. Unless the cavity of the oven is empty, you won’t be able to give it a good scrub. So carefully remove the racks and trays. Once out, soak these accessories in some warm water mixed with liquid detergent. Let them sit in the water-detergent mixture for a few hours. The grease will then loosen and you can simply wash them with a sponge to get sparkling clean oven racks.

2. Make a paste with baking soda

Next, we come to the all important step of preparing the potion needed to magically clean the oven! All you need to do is mix about half a cup of baking soda with a tablespoon of liquid detergent and some warm water. The paste should be thick, yet spreadable. Baking soda has the ability to cut through even the toughest grease and make it come off.

3. Cover the inside of the oven with the paste

You need to generously smear the baking soda paste on the interior walls, floor and ceiling of the oven. Apply it over the door of the oven as well. Most oven doors are made of glass and the baking soda paste works well to clean glass surfaces too. Apply larger amounts of the paste to the areas that you notice have higher concentrations of grease. Please note here that the baking soda paste will turn to a brownish colour as you apply it on the grease. This is normal and you need not worry about it. The baking soda mixture is strong and your hands may itch. To prevent this, always wear some rubber gloves before you begin the process.

4. Leave overnight

The longer you leave the baking soda on the surface of the over, the better it is. The baking soda needs time to work its magic and cut through the accumulated grease and the dirt. Try leaving it on overnight. Start applying the baking soda paste after dinner and take it off before breakfast. This will indeed fetch you the best possible results and your oven will be shining clean.

5. Wipe with a damp cloth

After you have left the baking soda paste for the longest possible duration, start wiping it off. Use a damp cloth for this. Gently rub off the paste and you will notice the grease and dirt coming off as well. If the paste is stuck to the walls of the oven, apply some white vinegar to the area. The vinegar will react with the baking soda and create a foam which will easily come off with the stroke of the cloth. You can apply vinegar on the paste to the areas where there is excessive grease.

6. Wipe dry

Once you have managed to take off all the residual baking soda and vinegar, give the oven a final cleaning with a clean, damp cloth. This will take away all the remaining bits of grease as well as the cleaning paste. You will have a sparkling clean oven in front of you.

7. Put the racks back

Next, you have to put the racks and trays back in the oven. The racks also must be clean by this time. Place them in carefully.

8. Clean the exterior

The exterior of the oven is usually easier to clean. You can use any surface cleaner to do the job. If there is any loose dust, simply wipe it away with a dry cloth. For any greasy dirt, use the surface cleaner. It is also very advisable for you to dust and clean the outside of your oven on a daily basis. It hardly takes any time but keeps the appliance spic and span.

Cleaning your oven: points to remember

As we saw, cleaning the oven is quite a simple thing to do. However, you need to exercise some caution here too. Some important points to remember when cleaning your oven are:

• Disconnect the power: You have to disconnect the power supply to the oven while cleaning it. You can have a serious accident if you leave the oven on while cleaning it.
• Always wear gloves: Always wear gloves while doing this job. The baking soda-vinegar mixture is quite potent and can cause irritation and discomfort if it comes in direct contact with your skin.
• Keep your kids and pets away: Keep your kids and pets away from the kitchen when cleaning the oven. If your kids or pets lick the soda-vinegar mixture or even touch it, you may find then getting ill or feeling uneasy.

The bottom line

It is very simple to give your oven a professional cleanup. Keep the tips and tricks mentioned above in mind and you will be able to complete the job smoothly. Since it hardly takes any time or effort, it is recommended for you to clean the oven regularly, at least once a month. Regular cleaning keeps the appliance hygienic as well as in a good working condition. So what are you waiting for? Grab the ingredients and get to work. Good luck!

You might also want to read: 5 Common Mistakes You Should Avoid While Using Your Microwave Oven