How I Clean My Oven (And Why I Do It Twice a Year)

People who know I've co-owned Maid of All Work for 30 years, often ask me “the best cleaning solutions”.  it doesn't take long before someone asks how I clean my oven and

I understand why.

It's one of those jobs many people put off until the oven starts smoking!  By then, it's pretty difficult to get it back to factory setting.

I clean my oven twice a year. Once in the spring and once in the fall.

Not because there's a magic date on the calendar. I just like routines that free up my brain. If I always clean my oven in the spring and fall, I never have to wonder when I last did it. It's the same reason I water my plants on Monday’s. In our family, with ADHD sprinkled all over the place, My future self always appreciates that I’ve kept it up.  Simple systems make life easier.

Spring and fall are great times to clean an oven. The weather is cooler, so the extra heat from the self-clean cycle isn't nearly as uncomfortable.  Winter works as well if you only need to clean it once a year.

I have to admit, I actually like cleaning ovens.

It's probably a little bit of vanity which I’m embarrassed to admit.

There is something so satisfying about opening the oven door and seeing gleaming walls.  It is one of the biggest transformations in the house.

I've found preparation makes all the difference.

I always remove the racks before running the self-clean cycle. Most manufacturers recommend it because the extreme heat can affect the finish and sometimes the way the racks slide afterward. I usually run the self-clean cycle twice before I begin the detailed work by hand. I've found many newer ovens, especially those with steam-clean options, still need a little extra attention to get the finish I'm looking for.

From there, I reach for a few favourites that have earned a permanent place in my cleaning cupboard.

A good commercial oven cleaner is worth finding. In my experience, some grocery store aerosol cleaners just don't provide the same coverage or quantity as the commercial brands available through hardware or janitorial suppliers.

A pumice stone is one of my favourite cleaning tools. You can find them from Amazon. Most people think of it for removing stubborn calcium rings from toilets, but I especially like it for cleaning oven racks. As the pumice wears down, it naturally forms a groove that hugs the metal bars, making the job much easier. I also use it carefully on stubborn black marks inside the oven.

For the edges and tighter areas, I use a stainless steel scrubber, or what I've always called a "stainless nest" Apply gentle pressure at first to test for scratching. It helps lift baked-on residue that other tools leave behind.

One thing I never rush is the chemical application.

After spraying the oven cleaner, I usually leave the room for a few minutes and let the mist settle. I keep the kitchen well ventilated, make sure children and pets stay well away, and I'm careful not to let the cleaner drip onto nearby surfaces. Oven cleaner can damage aluminum, chrome, painted finishes and some flooring if it sits too long, so it's worth slowing down.

If I'm working on a smaller area, I'll often spray the cleaner onto a cotton cloth first and wipe it on. It cuts down on the airborne mist and makes the job much more comfortable.

Once everything has been scrubbed and rinsed, I turn the oven on at a low temperature for about ten minutes with the door slightly open. Then I let it cool.

Any spots I missed become easy to see.

I wipe those away and do one final burn-off before cooking. It’s the pits when this step is forgotten and the next meal is baked in an oven with fumes.

One of the best lessons I learned about cleaning ovens had nothing to do with products.

Years ago, when Maid of All Work was still in its early days, I was cleaning an oven while I was eight months pregnant. Looking back, it was actually pretty funny. Mike sprayed the chemicals and I got to work.  When the homeowner came home, she couldn't believe I was still cleaning ovens that close to my due date. We both had a good laugh, but I had set myself up well and through necessity I realized how important that set up is.

Get yourself close to the work. If you need a little stool, use one. Bring your body in close instead of reaching with your arms stretched out. It's amazing how much easier the job becomes, and your back will thank you. I think that's one of the biggest reasons people dislike cleaning ovens. They're trying to do the whole job from too far away.

If your oven hasn't been cleaned in several years, don't expect to finish it all in one swoop. Break it into segments. I've always found working smarter beats working harder… pardon the cliche but it’s true.

Having the right tools is a big deal. Giving yourself enough time is a big deal. A little patience is a big deal. Before long you'll wonder why you've always dreaded cleaning your oven.  And, perhaps you genuinely dislike cleaning ovens.  That’s just fine too.

If you've always wondered how to clean something around your home, let me know. There's a good chance someone else has been wondering the same thing. I'd love to answer it in a future blog.

Happy cleaning!

Caroline

For nearly 30 years, Maid of All Work has been helping homeowners throughout Hamilton, Burlington, Halton and surrounding communities care for their homes with practical experience, proven cleaning techniques, and a genuine love of a well-kept home.