How to Clean a Non‐Self‐Cleaning Oven

Co-authored by Ashley Matuska

Last Updated: January 29, 2024 References

Most modern ovens have a self-cleaning function, but it's possible that yours might not. Also, the self-cleaning function can create smoke or fumes that might be irritating.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Bridgett Price
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 23 May 2019.} Instead of using this function, you can use a commercial oven cleaner to wipe off grease and stains. Alternatively, you can make a DIY, natural cleaning solution out of baking soda paste and vinegar. When you clean the oven, you will also need to wash the racks. You can do this in the bathtub with soap and water.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning the Oven with Commercial Cleaners

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1
Remove the oven racks. Slide the oven racks out of your oven along with any other pans, thermometers or loose items inside. Set these aside to be cleaned separately.^{[2]
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- The oven should be off and completely cool when you clean it.
2
Apply oven cleaner inside. Put on rubber gloves first. Spray or drizzle the oven cleaner on the bottom and sides of the oven. Some cleaning solutions can even be used on the glass in the door. Make sure to target any crusted spots or stains.^{[3]
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- Brands of oven cleaner that you can buy include Easy Off, Citrusafe, and Mr. Muscle.
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3
Close the oven door. You may need to leave the oven cleaner to soak for as long as four hours. Close the door of the oven to prevent fumes from escaping. Do not use or turn on the oven during this time.
- Fumes may still escape the oven. You should make sure that the room has plenty of ventilation by opening room doors and windows.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Bridgett Price
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 23 May 2019.}
Dampen a sponge with water, and wipe up all of the oven cleaner from the inside of the oven. You may need to scrub to get stains or burnt residue off the bottom. Rinse out the sponge, and wipe the oven down again until there are no more traces of cleaner.^{[5]
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Leave the oven door open to let the oven completely air dry. This can take up to a few hours. Do not use the oven during this time. There should be no traces of oven cleaner left. If there are, wet a sponge, and wipe it up before letting the oven dry again.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Baking Soda Paste

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1
Mix baking soda and water. To make a paste, mix about ½ cup of baking soda with two or three tablespoons of water. You want to have a thick but smooth paste that you can easily spread on the bottom of the oven.^{[6]
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- If the solution is too thick, you can add more water. If it is too runny, you can add more baking soda.
- Double or triple the recipe based on how much cleaning solution you need for your oven.
2
Spread the paste around the oven. Use a sponge to evenly coat the bottom and sides of the oven with the baking soda paste. Make sure that all stains and encrusted areas are covered with the paste.
- You can also clean the inside of the oven window with this mixture. Open the oven door so that it is flat, and spread out the paste on top of the window.
3
Spray vinegar on the paste. Put distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle, and spray it over the baking soda paste. It will start to fizz. This process will help break down grease and stains caked onto the bottom of the oven.
- You can also do this step after the baking soda has sat for a few hours. This helps remove any remaining baking soda.
Leave the baking soda paste on overnight or for at least twelve hours. This will let the baking soda break down grime, and it will make the stains easier to remove.^{[7]
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5
Wipe up paste with a damp cloth. Use a warm, damp cloth to wipe up the baking soda.^{[8]
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- If the bottom of your oven is very dirty, you may need to rinse out the sponge and wipe everything down again. Do this as needed until the oven is clean.^{[9]
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- If there are still crusted-on stains in hard to reach places, you can use a spatula to scrub them off. A pumice stick is also a good option.^{[10]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ashley Matuska
  Professional Cleaner
  
  Expert Interview. 15 April 2019.}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Washing the Oven Racks

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Take some old towels, and lay them over your bathtub, covering any space that might touch the oven racks. This will protect your tub from scratches and stains from the oven racks.^{[11]
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Fill the bath with hot water. Mix half a cup of dishwashing liquid or powder into the water until the water is soapy.^{[12]
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Place the oven racks in the bathtub, making sure that each rack is submerged under the water as much as possible. Leave them to soak overnight or up to twelve hours.^{[13]
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4
Wipe down and rinse the racks. When you remove the racks, use a damp rag or sponge to wipe off grime, grease, and dirt. Rinse them with clean water from the shower or sink. To dry the racks, wipe them down with a dry rag or old towel before putting them back in the oven.
- You can remove the towels from the bathtub at this point, and wash them separately in a laundry machine.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you manually clean a self cleaning oven?

Bridgett Price
House Cleaning Professional
Bridgett Price is a House Cleaning Professional based in Phoenix, Arizona. She has over 8 years of experience in the industry and is the Co-Owner of Maid Easy, a maid service company servicing the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area witih over 17k professional cleanings under its belt. Maid Easy was featured on CNBC's 'Made It!' program and was voted as The Best of The Desert - Residential Cleaning Service by AZCentral. She holds a Master of Management from the University of Phoenix, specializing in digital and traditional marketing.

Bridgett Price

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Look for “fume-free” oven cleaners. These will require less ventilation, and they are safer to use in the kitchen around pets and children.

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Question

How do I clean melted plastic from my gas self-cleaning oven?

Lina DaSilva

Top Answerer

Gently scrape off the bulk of the plastic with a wooden utensil or plastic scraper, being careful not to scratch the surface. For any remaining residue, create a paste of baking soda and water, apply it to the area, and let it sit for 15 or 20 minutes. This helps loosen the plastic. Wipe away with a damp cloth. If it's still stubborn, heat the oven to a low temperature to soften the plastic, then quickly turn it off and remove the softened plastic with a scraper.

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Question

Do I heat the oven first before applying cleaner?

Lina DaSilva

Top Answerer

No. Turn off and cool the oven: Ensure it's completely cool to avoid burns or chemical reactions. Remove the oven racks and soak them in soapy water to loosen grime. Make a cleaning solution. Mix a half-cup of baking soda with water to form a paste. Apply the paste inside the oven, focusing on greasy areas. Don't put it on the heating elements or the oven door. Leave the paste overnight to break down grime. Then use a damp cloth to remove the paste and loosened dirt. Clean the oven door. Use a solution of equal parts water and vinegar to clean the glass.

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Tips

Always read the instructions written by the manufacturer of your oven to learn the best tips for cleaning.

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If you hate cleaning your oven, you can always hire an oven cleaning service to do the job for you.

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Warnings

Some commercial oven cleaners can produce noxious fumes. Always ventilate your kitchen, and keep pets and children out of the room while you clean.

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Do not swallow, touch, or inhale fumes from oven cleaners.^{[14]
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MedlinePlus
Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine

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