Oven Cleaning: Tips & Tricks to Get it Done
Getting Started with Oven Cleaning
Have you recently turned your oven on to preheat, only to be reminded of the cheese that fell off that pizza you baked in there last week? Yuck! Burnt cheese and grease are not an appetizing smell. It reminds you that you have no memory of when the last time was that you actually performed an oven cleaning…. uh-oh. You realize it is time but then also that you're not sure the best way to go about it. What’s the deal with all of these chemical cleaners? Does your oven have the self-cleaning feature? What can I do if I don’t want to use chemicals and I don’t have the self-clean feature?! HELP!
Why Would I Want to Forego Chemicals?
Oven cleaners typically have pretty hazardous chemicals in them which is why you’re advised to wear gloves, not to inhale any of the fumes directly and some even recommend you wear goggles. According to The Daily Meal, oven cleaners are dangerous and have corrosive properties and an inhalation risk. They can make oven cleaning a major health hazard.
Self-Cleaning Oven Feature, How Nice! Or is it?
People tend to have two very different, but extreme feelings about self-cleaning ovens. On one side, people think it’s great, on the other side people say it is extremely dangerous. According to the Family Handyman, carbon monoxide is released during the self-cleaning cycle of your oven. The more dirt and grease that is stuck to the sides of your oven, the more carbon monoxide that’s released at the beginning of the clean cycle. But, if you do decide that you’re good with using the self-clean option then you’ll want to leave LOTS of windows open during the entire cycle. It is very important to note that this process takes anywhere from 4-6 hours. The oven will be extremely hot during this time as well and can cause severe burns if touched. You will then want to leave it to cool for several hours. Once it has cooled down, you can wipe down the inside of the oven with a clean, damp cloth.
If You Don’t Have the Self-Clean Feature, Don’t Fret!
An excellent, pet and kid safe, oven cleaner is probably something you have on hand already! You’ll want to remove your oven racks first. You can soak these in your bathtub with some Dawn soap and hot water.
How to create your paste:
- 3 tablespoons of baking soda
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of water
You will rub that paste all over the inside of your oven. We recommend leaving it to sit for at least 90 minutes, but it is much more beneficial to leave it overnight. When you’re ready to tackle the inside of the oven, you can put white vinegar in a spray bottle and use that and a damp cloth to wipe and scrub away the grime, says Architectural Digest.
A Surprising Option
We have found that a handheld steamer is excellent for getting burnt grease and grime off with minimal effort. Check out our video on Facebook of our cleaner knocking out cleaning the inside of an oven in just minutes! This is a simple solution that also dramatically cuts the time it takes to clean an oven! We recommend this handheld steam cleaner that has several attachments and with a price point right at $50.
Looking for a Little Help With Your Oven Cleaning?
Our expert home cleaners are standing by to provide you a free estimate for oven cleaning and more. We offer a wide range of home cleaning services. To learn more and receive your free quote, call today!
