How to clean an oven
How to deep clean the inside of an oven, the shelves and the glass door, using either a shop-bought oven cleaner or a bicarbonate of soda paste left overnight.
- Time
- 1 hour plus soaking overnight
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Cost
- Low cost
- Steps
- 7
- Checked
What you’ll need
- Rubber gloves Search Amazon for household rubber gloves
- Bicarbonate of soda, or an oven cleaner kit Search Amazon for oven cleaner kit
- Non-scratch scourer and microfibre cloths Search Amazon for non scratch scourer sponges
- Plastic scraper or old spatula
- Old newspaper or towels for the floor
- Bin bag or large tub for soaking shelves
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Safety first
- Oven cleaners are caustic. Wear gloves and eye protection, keep children and pets out of the kitchen, and never mix them with other products.
- Don't spray cleaner onto heating elements, the fan, the thermostat or the door seal.
- Don't use oven cleaner on catalytic liners or on self-cleaning surfaces unless the manufacturer says it's safe.
Step by step
-
Step 1: Check your manual and switch off
Check the oven manual first. Pyrolytic, catalytic and steam-clean ovens have self-cleaning features and some liners shouldn't be scrubbed or sprayed with oven cleaner. Make sure the oven is off, completely cool and, if you can, switched off at the wall.
Next: step 2 -
Step 2: Take out the shelves and soak them
Remove the shelves, runners and trays. Soak them in a bath, bin bag or tub of hot water with washing-up liquid or a specialist shelf-cleaning solution, following the product instructions. Line the bath with an old towel to protect it.
Next: step 3 -
Step 3: Loosen the loose stuff
Scrape out burnt crumbs and lumps with a plastic scraper and wipe the inside with a damp cloth.
Next: step 4 -
Step 4: Apply the cleaner
Bicarbonate method: mix bicarbonate of soda with a little water into a spreadable paste. Spread it over the inside, avoiding the heating elements and the fan, and leave it overnight.
Shop-bought cleaner: follow the instructions exactly, wear gloves, protect your eyes and keep the kitchen well ventilated. These products are corrosive to skin and eyes.
Next: step 5 -
Step 5: Wipe it all off
Wipe away the paste or cleaner with a damp cloth, then scrub stubborn bits with a non-scratch scourer. Rinse the cloth often. Go over everything with clean water until no residue is left, because leftover cleaner can smoke and smell when you next heat the oven.
Next: step 6 -
Step 6: Clean the glass door
Use a soft cloth with warm soapy water, or a bicarb paste for baked-on marks. Don't use wire wool or harsh scourers: they can scratch the glass and weaken it. Some doors come apart for cleaning between the panes. Check your manual.
Next: step 7 -
Step 7: Finish the shelves and put it back together
Scrub the soaked shelves with a non-scratch scourer, rinse and dry them, then refit everything. Heat the oven empty for a few minutes with a window open to burn off any traces of cleaner.
Tips
- Which? suggests wiping the oven down at least monthly, and dealing with spills once the oven has cooled, before they bake on.
- An oven liner on the bottom shelf catches drips. Check your manual says it's suitable for your oven.
- Putting a baking tray underneath pies and roasts saves a lot of scrubbing later.
When to call a professional
Professional oven cleaning companies can dismantle and dip-clean the parts. That's worth considering before moving out of a rented home or if the oven is very heavily soiled.
Questions people ask
Does bicarbonate of soda really work?
Yes, for most ovens, but it needs time. Leave the paste on overnight for best results.
How do I use a pyrolytic clean?
Remove the shelves and anything not marked as pyrolytic-safe, then run the programme. The oven heats to a very high temperature and reduces grime to ash, which you wipe out once it's cool. Follow your manual.
How do I get rid of the smell after cleaning?
Rinse thoroughly with clean water, then heat the empty oven with the kitchen window open.
Sources
Checked 9 October 2026. We wrote this guide in our own words, using:
- Which?: how to clean your oven (which.co.uk)
- Homebase: how to clean an oven (homebase.co.uk)
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Printed from howtoguides.uk/guides/how-to-clean-an-oven/ · Checked 9 October 2026 · General information only. For gas, electrics, structural work, medical, legal or money decisions, use a qualified professional.