Every household goddess knows (coming on, you’ve got a bit of a credit score, too), an oven is an ideal place at home for gathering dripped up, hard-to-find spills and dirt. You might have gone to town on your oven, scrubbing it down with soapy water and spray cleaners without achieving that shiny, clean, as new condition you’re after. It doesn’t matter how often you use your oven: it’s time for a cleaning and a whole new look for that oven, right?
First off, before you begin the cleaning, take a look at what you’ve been doing, and decide what you want to clean. If you know what you want to clean, then go for it. However, if you don’t know, make a list and put it aside for later (or keep it in a hidden drawer until after the cleaning).
Now that you’ve gotten the cleaning out of the way, go get some paper towels or baking soda and/or dish soap. Be sure to read labels on anything you buy, especially if you’re buying something for your oven (such as a vacuum cleaner or cleaning product). The cleaning product you choose will depend largely on how well your oven functions (or doesn’t function). Some people prefer to use plain, unflavored laundry detergent and baking soda, while others like the lemon smell and citrus flavors of dishwashing detergent. If you’re using something fancy, make sure to read the labels on it before you start using it.
Once you’ve got everything prepared, the first thing to do is to get all the old oven cleaning products out. Make sure to dispose of them properly, because they will no longer be able to remove those stubborn stains and marks left behind by other users of your oven. Once all the dirt has been cleared from the oven, rinse it down with water and let it dry completely before re-installing the lid.
When cleaning your oven, it is important not to forget about the oven’s interior. While it is an ideal place for cleaning, it can also be a haven for bacteria and germs if you don’t wipe away everything from the outside of the oven. A good tip is to use a damp cloth dipped in alcohol and warm water to wipe down the inside of the oven and any crevices or crannies in it.
Now that you know how to clean an oven, you’re ready to get back to your cooking! Good luck!