The oven is one of those appliances we use almost every day and that we nonetheless tend to leave until last when cleaning. Knowing how to clean an oven without harsh products saves you time, money and that burnt smell every time you switch it on. In this guide we explain, step by step, how to clean an oven with bicarbonate of soda and other natural remedies, how to rescue a very dirty oven and what to do so the grease does not bake back on.
How often should you clean the oven?
You do not need a deep clean every week, but consistency helps. A good routine is to wipe the inside with a damp cloth after every heavy use (roasts, gratins or any recipe that spits) and to do a deep clean once a month. If you cook in the oven a lot, make it every two or three weeks. The longer you wait, the harder the grease sets and the more difficult it is to shift later.
The clearest sign that it is time is smoke: when the oven smokes as it heats up or you catch a burnt smell, the grease residue is carbonising on the walls.
How to clean an oven with bicarbonate of soda, step by step
Bicarbonate of soda is the great ally for cleaning the inside of an oven without harsh chemicals. It is cheap, leaves no smell and lifts grease without scratching the enamel. Follow these steps:
- Make a paste: mix half a cup of bicarbonate of soda with a few tablespoons of water until you have a thick cream.
- Spread it around the inside: cover the walls, floor and roof of the oven (cold and unplugged), avoiding the element and the fan. Work it well into the greasiest areas.
- Leave it overnight: ideally 8 to 12 hours, so the bicarbonate softens the dirt.
- Wipe it away with a damp cloth: the next morning, go over it with a wet cloth and you will see the grease come away almost on its own.
- Finish with vinegar: spray a little white vinegar over the remaining bicarbonate. The fizzing reaction dissolves the last of the dirt. Rinse and dry.
How to clean a very dirty oven with baked-on grease
If it has been a while and the grease is black and hard, you will need a bit more patience. The trick is to soften the dirt first with heat and moisture. Put an ovenproof dish of water with a few slices of lemon inside and heat it at 150 °C for 20 to 30 minutes. The steam loosens the crust and the lemon leaves a pleasant smell along the way.
With the oven now warm (never hot), apply the bicarbonate paste to the most stubborn areas and let it work. For the most baked-on grease, use a non-metal scourer or a plastic or wooden scraper, always taking care not to damage the enamel. Repeat the process if you need to: it is better to go round twice than to scrub with a corrosive product.
Cleaning the glass, the trays and the racks
The door glass fills up with splatters and goes cloudy. Apply bicarbonate paste, leave it for 15 or 20 minutes and wipe it off with a microfibre cloth; it will come up clear. For the trays and racks, soaking is the easiest route: fill the sink with hot water, a squirt of washing-up liquid and a handful of bicarbonate, and leave them in for at least an hour before scrubbing.
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Tricks to keep the oven cleaner for longer
- Use baking paper or non-stick liners: they protect the base from spills and drips.
- Cover your roasts: a lid or a sheet of foil stops the grease from spitting onto the walls.
- Deal with spills early: if something boils over, wipe it up as soon as the oven cools to warm, before it carbonises.
- Put a tray underneath: it catches the liquid from tarts and gratins and saves you scrubbing the oven floor.
A clean oven, a kitchen you enjoy
As you can see, you do not need expensive products or hours of work to have a gleaming oven: bicarbonate of soda, vinegar, lemon and a bit of consistency are more than enough. The key is not letting the grease build up and taking your time when the deep clean comes round. If you want to kit out your kitchen with everything you need to cook and clean with pleasure, take a look at the new arrivals at Velia Select and give your home the care it deserves.