Your Complete Guide to Cleaning the Oven, From the Cooktop to the Racks
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If you’ve ever preheated your oven and been greeted by smoke, that sharp burnt smell, or a splatter you forgot about from three weeks ago, you’re not alone. Learning how to clean an oven properly is one of those home skills that makes your whole cooking zone feel better instantly: Your kitchen smells fresher, your meals taste better, and you are not side-eyeing that mystery drip on the bottom of your oven anymore.
The truth is, ovens work hard. From bubbling pasta bakes to late-night cookies that spread a little too far, spills and splatters are part of the deal. The longer they sit, the more they bake on, turning simple messes into stubborn grime. But keeping your oven clean does more than improve appearances. It helps food cook more evenly, cuts down on lingering odors, and can even extend the life of your appliance.
The good news is you do not need harsh chemicals, hours of scrubbing, or the dreaded self-clean cycle to get your oven sparkling. With a few basic supplies and the right approach, you can tackle everything from greasy oven racks to cloudy oven doors safely and effectively. Below, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get cookin’—and while you’re at it, consider these other spaces we forget to clean to really get your space feeling fresh and tidy.
How to Clean the Stovetop
The stovetop tends to collect everything from pasta boil-overs to splattered sauce and misplaced stir fry veggies. However, how you clean it depends on the type of stovetop you have. Brandon Pleshek of Clean That Up has recommendations for both gas and electric stovetops on his YouTube channel. Below, we’ve outlined steps and materials for each as well.
For Gas Stovetops with Grates
Materials
- Baking sodaÂ
- Dish soap
- Warm water
- Microfiber cloth or sponge
Instructions
- Make sure the surface is completely cool, then remove the grates and burner caps.
- Fill your sink or or a plastic tub with hot water and a few drops of dish soap. Soak the grates and caps in there for 15-30 minutes.
- While you’re doing that, wipe down the stovetop with a damp microfiber cloth to remove loose debris, then use a sponge or cloth with warm soapy water to clean the surface.
- For those really stubborn stuck-on bits, make a paste with two parts baking soda and one part water. Apply it to the stove, wait 10 minutes, then scrub again.Â
- Wipe everything down with a damp cloth, then a dry cloth before putting the grates and caps back and using the oven again.
For Electric/Glass Stovetops
Materials
Instructions
- Make sure the surface is completely cool, then wipe away loose crumbs with a dry cloth.
- Apply a small amount of cooktop cleaner or a degreaser and scrub the surface down using a non-abrasive sponge or microfiber cloth, working in a circular motion.Â
- Let the cleaner sit for a few minutes before wiping it down with a damp microfiber cloth.
- Then, wipe the cooktop down with a dry cloth to finish.
- For the impossible-to-remove stains, wet the surface and then use a fresh razor blade to scrape off the burnt bits. Don’t press super hard or dig in—just move nice and gently back and forth. Then, finish with a damp cloth, followed by a dry cloth.
How to Clean Oven Racks
These are the true workhorses of our ovens (and usually, the grimiest part!). Here’s how to give them the TLC they deserve.
Materials
- Bathtub or large utility sink
- Microfiber cloths or old towels
- Dish soap
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Non-abrasive scrub sponge
Instructions
- Line your bathtub or sink with old towels or microfiber cloths to prevent scratches to your porcelain or ceramic.
- Remove your oven racks and place them in the bathtub on top of the towels.
- Next, fill the tub with warm water until the racks are fully submerged, then add half a cup of dish soap to the mixture.
- Let the racks soak in this mixture for at least an hour. You’ll start seeing burnt-on bits rise to the surface (it’s gross, but satisfying!).
- Once they’ve had a while to bathe, use a scouring pad to scrub down any remaining grease.
- When you’ve gotten them completely clean, rinse them with clean, warm water and dry them with a microfiber towel before placing them back in the oven.
- Remember to clean your bathtub or sink afterwards, too!
How to Clean Oven Door Glass
If you are wondering how to clean oven door glass, especially that cloudy window, this method works without scratching.
Materials
- Baking soda
- Water
- Microfiber cloth or non-abrasive sponge
- Oven cleaner (optional)
Instructions
- Make the baking soda paste mentioned above (two parts baking soda to one part water).
- Spread it over the inside of the oven door glass and let it sit for 20-30 minutes before wiping it away with a damp microfiber cloth or non-abrasive sponge.
- If the glass is still super dirty, you may want to up the ante with a commercial oven cleaner, like Zep Oven and Grill Cleaner, which you’ll spray, let stand for 5-10 minutes, and then wipe away with a microfiber cloth. Pro tip: Give the door one more pass with a damp cloth to get rid of any residual cleaner.
How to Clean the Inside of the Oven
We repeat: Don’t use the self-clean feature on your oven! It may be tempting, but using it can actually kill the appliance faster, causing thermal fuses to break and filling your home with carbon monoxide. Instead, try this method to get the inside of your oven truly clean.
Materials
Instructions
- Remove your oven racks and wipe away loose crumbs using a dry cloth, or use a small vacuum to clear it out. A putty knife will work for stubborn stains.
- For a natural approach, use the aforementioned baking soda paste (two parts baking soda to one part water) and scrub down the interior with a non-abrasive sponge or microfiber cloth.Â
- Wipe out as much paste as possible with a damp cloth when the gunk is gone.
- Lastly, spray any remaining residue with vinegar and wipe clean. You want to make sure the baking soda paste is gone before you do this, as vinegar and baking soda can counteract each other.Â
How to Steam Clean the Oven
Not into scrubbing? Meet your new best friend, steam.
Materials
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250°F.
- Fill a baking dish with water and 1 cup of vinegar.
- Place the baking dish on the middle rack and let it sit there in the hot oven for 30 minutes. The steam from the dish will loosen the grime so it wipes away easily.
- After the 30 minute mark, turn off the oven and let it cool slightly, and remove the baking dish.
- Use a microfiber towel to wipe down the interior surfaces while its still warm for the best results.
How to Clean the Bottom of the Oven
This is probably the spot you’ve been dreading most, and that’s because the bottom of the oven becomes a catch-all for spills and rogue veggies. Luckily, getting it clean doesn’t have to be as complicated as you might think.
Materials
Instructions
- You guessed it, make the go-to baking soda paste using one part water to two parts baking soda.
- Spread generously over the bottom surface of your oven and let it sit overnight.
- The next morning, scrape the paste and gunk off gently using a plastic scraper, followed by a clean, damp cloth.
- Repeat as necessary.
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Erica Finamore
Erica Finamore is a writer and editor with more than ten years of experience telling stories about homes, travel, food, and everyday living. Most recently, she was the Home & Travel Director at Real Simple, where she shaped design features, curated gift guides, and helped bring the brand’s annual showhouse to life. She’s also worked with HGTV Magazine, Food Network Magazine, and InStyle. When she’s not writing about inspiring spaces or dreamy destinations, she’s probably out walking her dachshund, Leslie Knope, or scrolling Facebook Marketplace for vintage art finds.
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