A messy oven is inevitable for many of us, and if you cook more often, that build-up can happen sooner than we’d like. When food heats up in the oven, a combination of oils, grease, and food bits can spill or splatter onto the oven walls, forming tough, hardened stains over time. If you broil or roast in your oven often, the mess is probably even greater. An oven deep clean is necessary once in a while, and there’s a way to do it without breaking your back scrubbing for hours.

How to clean an oven with vinegar steam

Ideal for routine maintenance rather than major build-up over months, vinegar steam is a useful way to clean an oven. First, preheat it to 300°F.

Then, make a solution in an oven-safe bowl of one to two cups of vinegar.

If you want a fresh scent, you can add a few lemon slices or a drop of dish soap, which will also help fight grease.

Then, close the oven door, allowing the vinegar to heat up and steam for around half an hour, loosening up residue and grease.

After 30 minutes are up, carefully open the oven and wipe down the interior with a damp sponge or cloth. You can add a few sprinkles of baking soda to tackle a stubborn mess that you have difficulty taking off.

How to clean an oven with baking soda and vinegar

Combining vinegar and baking soda can also be a helpful (and odor-neutralizing) way to deal with your oven cleaning upkeep and an alternative to turning the oven on.

First, form a paste with a half cup of baking soda and a few tablespoons of water.

Then, spread the paste until it’s fully coated the inside of the oven. Apply extra paste to areas where there is visible build-up. Do not apply paste to the oven’s heating elements.

Then comes the waiting period. Unlike vinegar steaming, this requires a few hours and ideally overnight to let it work its magic.

This will help loosen up the grease but may not fully dissolve the residue.

This is when you grab the vinegar—using a spray bottle, spray a light coat over the paste. This will lead to a fizzing reaction that will further get rid of stubborn grime. Next, scrub and wipe until the fizzing stops. Finally, wipe down the oven with a damp cloth.

6 helpful tips for a cleaner oven

Regularly maintaining and cleaning your oven will reduce the need to reach for more intense cleaning methods later on. Deep clean your oven around four times a year and spot clean it weekly.

Wipe down the outside weekly if possible.

  1. Wipe down spills as they happen (or as soon as the area has cooled off, if the oven is hot).
  2. Start using an oven liner and wipe it down or replace it as needed.
  3. Wipe the oven’s interior regularly to remove grease spots before they turn into bigger stains.
  4. Cook greasy foods at a lower temperature to stop splattering from happening.
  5. Wipe down the door seal occasionally.
  6. Don’t put anything in the oven while it’s preheating in order to prevent spills.