Your oven is often one of the hardest working appliances in your kitchen, and one that can easily get covered in grease and grime if you don't keep on top of cleaning it regularly.
Experts recommend cleaning your oven every three months at least, but cleaning monthly will make it easier to maintain, remove a build-up of bacteria and germs, and lower the risk of harmful smoke from the accumulation of food debris.
© iStockThe good news is that getting your oven sparkling clean is easier than you might think, whether you opt for specialist cleaning products or take a more natural approach. Read on for the expert tips that will have your oven gleaming in no time…
How to clean the inside of an oven
Easily remove grime at high temperatures
Olivia Young, Astonish's Cleaning Chemist, says that one of the easiest ways to get the inside of your oven looking brand new is to start by heating it up to 200 degrees, at which point any food residue on the inside of the oven should begin to incinerate.
"Once cooled, simply wipe away any of the remaining ash or food remnants with a damp cloth and cleaning paste, such as Astonish's The Good One, specially designed to remove tough food and grime," she says.
Use a store-bought oven cleaner
If you're looking to save energy amidst the cost-of-living crisis, an alternative approach is to skip turning the oven on and go straight in with a specially formulated oven cleaner such as those from Oven Pride, Oven Mate and Mr Muscle.
Some of the most common chemicals in store-bought oven cleaners include potassium hydroxide, monoethanolamine and sodium hydroxide to help remove thick grease. They can irritate your skin and eyes so you should follow instructions, use appropriate gloves and ensure ventilation in the area.
"Simply scrape off any large pieces of food, dampen a clean sponge, scoop a small quantity of the paste, and apply to the inside surface of the oven. After rubbing the surface with a circular motion, rinse away any residue with warm water and a clean cloth," Olivia recommends. "Free from any harsh chemicals, your oven will be left sparkling clean without any damage from wear and tear."
Try a DIY natural oven cleaner
© iStockYou may also be able to clean your oven without the need for any specialist cleaning products, as some surprising store cupboard staples can make a great natural alternative.
Lara Brittain, Kitchen Expert at Currys, says: "If you prefer not to use any harsh chemicals, you can use a mix of baking soda and white vinegar instead. To combat lingering odours, add in some lemon juice for a fresh-smelling oven."
If you choose to use baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, you will see better results if the product is left on for several hours or overnight before you begin scrubbing.
How to clean your cooking racks
Soak them in hot water
Are you struggling to remove grime from your cooking racks? "Arguably, the best way to clean the cooking racks are by removing them entirely and soaking them in a vessel of hot water," Olivia says. "Once any leftover food has been soaked off, dry the racks and apply a cleaning product such as the Specialist Extra Strength Grease Lifter to clean off any remaining grease, leaving the racks with a sparkling finish."
Clean dirty racks in dishwasher detergent
Alternatively, dishwasher detergent can be used to clean instead. Simply lay your cooking racks in a bath overnight with half a cup of powder dishwasher detergent, then rinse and dry in the morning for a glowing finish.
How to clean an oven door
© iStockOven doors can be trickier to clean due to the door itself usually being made out of glass and therefore requiring a less abrasive approach.
Gently clean with warm soapy water
"To prevent scratching and impairing the clarity of the glass, our recommendation is to use a soft sponge on the doors and to leave the cleaning product to sit for around 20 minutes on the surface to eliminate any greasy streaks, without having to forcefully scrub," Olivia recommends.
© nerudol"Simply washing the doors with warm, soapy water and then wiping with a bit of diluted vinegar can give the doors a good as new shine. I also recommend using the Astonish Specialist Antibacterial Oven & Grill Cleaner for a fast-acting and easy-to-use alternative. Simply dampen the applicator provided and apply the cleaning paste as needed. Wipe the affected area in circular motions and rinse off using the applicator sponge, removing any leftover residue with clean warm water."
Make your own natural glass cleaner
Meanwhile, Lara suggests using the same natural cleaning mixture of baking soda, white vinegar and lemon juice used to clean the inside of your oven to get your glass oven door spotless. "Spread the same mixture over the glass, leave it to rest for ten minutes and wipe clean," she says.
On a mission to get your entire home spotless? Discover our expert cleaning tips on how to clean a mattress and how to clean a washing machine.
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