How to Clean Your Oven Properly?

Let’s be honest: No one really looks forward to cleaning the oven. We love the end result because there are a lot of benefits to simple oven maintenance tips, but we kind of dislike the amount of time we have to put in. While that is certainly fair, and while it can be tough to find the time for cleaning your oven, it is still worth taking a long term view of this matter.

In other words, consider the following: If you are willing to put in a little time now, then you are probably going to save a lot of money, and perhaps more time, later on.  Furthermore, cleaning your oven isn’t something you need to do every day. Unless you are using your oven a lot, we aren’t even talking about something that needs to be done every week.

Nonetheless, this task needs to be done! At Target Appliance Repair, our appliance repair experts have come up with some great tips, in terms of how to clean your oven properly.

How to Clean Your Oven: Getting Started

Cleaning your oven is definitely the kind of task where you need to set some time aside. This is the kind of activity that can certainly take upwards of an hour. This obviously depends on the condition of your oven, which is why regular cleaning can be a smart idea.

Before you even start cleaning your oven, you’ll need to get the space ready:

• Opening your windows ensures proper ventilation of the room.
• Make sure all of your tools and products are assembled.
• Follow all safety precautions found on the labels of any products you use. Make sure you’re wearing rubber gloves, as well.
• Have the shelves removed from the oven? Generally, these can be cleaned separately, if desired/necessary.

You’ve set the stage to clean your oven properly and efficiently. All of this guarantees safety while making the task ahead as straightforward as possible.

A big part of making sure things go smoothly will come down to making sure the right items on hand. In terms of the best products to clean ovens, here are a few of the essentials:

• Dedicated products for ovens: This is pretty important. You are looking for products that are specifically designed to remove thing like food debris, grease, and the various oils that have built up. Spray bottles are preferred, and typically the easiest to use.
• A spoon: Honestly, any blunt instrument will do. This simple tool can make removing caked-in debris a snap.
• Paper towels: Old rags or newspapers can also be useful. Once you apply your cleaning product, you will likely have the debris turning into a liquid form, and dropping off from the oven. The towels/whatever-you-use will keep this stuff from getting all over your floor.
• Scrubbing brush: Scrubbing sponges designed for heavy duty cleaning are fine, or basically any brush that can stand up to the task of cleaning.
• Micro-fiber cloths: These are perfect for wiping away the last remnants of the debris that has built up in your oven.

There may be other things you need, but those are definitely the items you will want to keep on hand.

At this point, you are ready to start cleaning your oven. We have some specific tips to that end that you are going to want to keep in mind.

Tips For Cleaning Your Oven

Let’s break the major steps involved in cleaning your oven. Regardless of the type of oven you own, these tips will likely apply to you:

• Removing the shelves: This is something we mentioned earlier.
• Removing food residue: Before you really do anything, get your spoon, or blunt instrument, and scrape away some of the excess food bits and other garbage. This should only take a few moments, and it will serve to make the cleaning products profoundly more useful.
• Applying your cleaner: When applying the cleaner to your oven interior, make sure to only coat your bottom, each side, and the door panels. Using a brush will ensure everything is coated evenly. Do not apply to your door seals or your elements. Make sure to follow all cleaning product directions carefully.
• Let the solution do its thing: Most of the time, your cleaning product only needs about half-an-hour to do its work. Close your oven door, once you have applied the cleaner.
• Scrubbing: Avoiding your elements and fan, work with a medium-sized bristle brush to scrub the area down. Your door interior will definitely need some cleaning. The same can be said for the bottom of the oven.
• The wipe down: With your cloth, you should be able to easily remove anything that is still lingering on your oven.

Taking care of your oven doesn’t need to be a stressful endeavor. These tips will give you an oven that will function for a long time to come.