February 12, 2025

The Ultimate Guide to Deep-Cleaning Your Oven

If you’ve ever opened your oven door only to be greeted by layers of caked-on grease, burnt food, and lingering odors, you’re not alone. In a busy city like NYC, where takeout and quick meals are a way of life, deep-cleaning the oven often falls to the bottom of the to-do list. But a dirty oven isn’t just unsightly — it can also affect the taste of your food, create smoke while cooking, and even become a fire hazard.

Sure, your oven might have a self-cleaning function, but if you’ve ever used it, you know the drill: your kitchen smells like burnt chemicals for hours, and somehow, there’s still grime left behind.

Luckily, you don’t need harsh chemicals or expensive cleaning products to get your oven looking like new. With just a little effort and a few pantry staples — the famous baking soda and vinegar duo — you can give your oven a deep clean in a safe, eco-friendly way.

Stick with us — we’ll walk you through simple, effective, and chemical-free approaches to deep-cleaning your oven so you can get back to cooking (or reheating your last night’s takeout) in a fresh, grease-free space. Let’s dive in!

How to Clean Your Oven Naturally

Many store-bought oven cleaners contain lye and petroleum gases, which can leave behind strong fumes and even harmful residues inside your oven. But the good news is that you don’t need them to get the job done. Natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar are just as effective — if not better — at cutting through grease and grime.

Cleaning with baking soda, a natural alkali, helps break down grease, while vinegar, a mild acid, reacts with grime to loosen stubborn stains. If you’re sensitive to the scent of vinegar, adding a few drops of essential oil — like tea tree for extra degreasing power or lemon for a fresh aroma — can make the process even more pleasant.

So here’s your eco-friendly oven cleaning kit:

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Dishwashing liquid or powder detergent
• “Magic eraser” (melamine foam)
• Old towel
• Clean soft rags
• Scouring pads
• Rubber gloves
• Old toothbrush (for hard-to-reach nooks)
• Essential oil (optional, for mood)
• Water

Remove and Clean Oven Racks

You should start with the oven racks because unless they are lightly soiled and gunk can be easily scrubbed away with regular dish soap, they will require some good soak! You can use your bathtub (but make sure you line it with an old towel to protect it from getting scratched in the process) or a large container to soak oven racks for several hours (preferably overnight).

Method 1: Baking soda & vinegar soak

For an all-natural approach, sprinkle baking soda generously over the racks, then pour/spray vinegar on top. The foaming reaction helps break down grease and grime. Once the fizzing subsides, submerge the racks in hot water — either in your bathtub or a large container — and let them soak for at least eight hours. Afterward, scrub them with dish soap and a scouring pad to remove any remaining buildup.

Method 2: Dishwashing detergent soak

Another effective method is using powdered dishwashing detergent or dishwasher tablets. Fill your bathtub with hot water and add the detergent. Let the racks soak for a few hours before scrubbing off any remaining grime with a stiff brush or an abrasive powder cleaner like Bon Ami.

Regardless of the method you choose, always rinse and dry the racks thoroughly before placing them back in the oven.

While your racks soak, you can tackle the oven’s interior.

Cleaning Your Oven Interior with Baking Soda

These natural no-rush methods tried and tested by our professional cleaners, are safe and effective, but they should be carefully considered by those busy New Yorkers looking for “fast and furious” results. These natural methods will require some patience and wise timing.    

Method 1: Baking soda & vinegar paste

For a deep clean, mix 1 cup of baking soda with ½ cup of vinegar to form a thick paste. Spread it evenly throughout the oven’s interior (including the glass door but avoiding heating elements). Let it sit for at least six hours (or overnight for stubborn buildup), then scrub with a damp sponge or scouring pad. The chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar loosens grime, making it easier to wipe away. It takes some elbow grease, but the results are worth it!

Method 2: Overnight baking soda oven spa

If you prefer a more hands-off approach, create a paste using baking soda and water (adjust the ratio to ensure the paste isn’t too runny). Coat the entire oven interior, including the door, and let it sit overnight. This gives the baking soda time to break down tough residue. The next day, wipe out as much of the dried paste as possible, then spray vinegar to react with any remaining baking soda. Wipe down again with a damp cloth, revealing a noticeably cleaner oven.

Method 3: Steam clean with baking soda & vinegar

For a faster, low-effort clean, mix 1 cup of baking soda, ¼ cup of water, and ⅛ cup of vinegar. Spread some of the paste on the oven floor, then place the remaining mixture in an oven-safe bowl. Heat the oven to 210°F for 45 minutes, allowing the steam to loosen the baked-on residue. Once the oven cools, let the paste sit overnight, then scrub and rinse with hot water for a sparkling finish.

Deep Cleaning Glass Oven Doors

The oven door is one of the toughest parts to clean — it’s where grease splatters, spills, and baked-on grime seem to accumulate the most. And since it’s a glass surface, streaks, and residue can make your entire oven look dirtier than it really is.

If the above-mentioned interior cleaning process has left you with a less-than-perfectly clean oven door, here’s where melamine foam comes to the rescue!

Melamine foam, commonly known as Magic Erasers, is a pro-approved tool for tackling oven door grime. Simply dampen the eraser with warm water and scrub the glass in circular motions. The micro-abrasive texture of melamine foam lifts away grease and burnt-on residue without harsh chemicals. For an extra boost, you can dip the eraser in a mixture of baking soda and water before scrubbing.

For the exterior clean, go with a glass cleaner of your choice or mix vinegar with water in a spray bottle for a natural streak-free clean. Finally, wipe handles, buttons, and knobs.    

Safe Use of Commercial Oven Cleaners

If you still decide to go with a commercial oven cleaner (it may work faster than the green methods we described, and we know that hectic life in New York may push you to fast solutions), then safety should be your top priority. Many of these products contain strong chemicals that release potent fumes, so always follow these precautions:

• Ventilate the area. Open windows, turn on fans, and ensure proper airflow to minimize exposure to chemical vapors.
• Wear protection. Use gloves and, if needed, protective eyewear to prevent skin or eye irritation.
• Avoid heating the oven. Never apply commercial cleaners to a hot oven. This can intensify fumes and make the product less effective.
• Follow the instructions. Stick to the recommended application time, and rinse thoroughly with water before using the oven again.

Pro tips to keep your oven clean between deep cleans

• Wipe up spills immediately. Don’t wait for drips and splatters to bake onto the surface. Once the oven cools, wipe up any mess with a damp cloth.
• Use an oven liner. A removable oven liner catches spills and crumbs, making cleanup effortless.
• Cover dishes when baking. Using lids or foil prevents grease and food from splattering onto oven walls.
• Steam clean regularly. Place a heatproof bowl with water and a splash of vinegar in the oven at 250°F for 20 minutes. The steam will loosen grime for easy wiping.
• Do a quick weekly wipe-down. A simple mix of water and dish soap on a microfiber cloth keeps grease from building up over time.

By staying on top of small messes and using safe cleaning methods, you’ll keep your oven in top shape without the hassle of constant deep cleaning.

Deep cleaning your oven takes time, effort, and the right supplies — why not leave it to the pros? White Glove Cleaner in NYC uses eco-friendly, effective products to tackle grease and grime without harsh chemicals. Plus, you save on cleaning supplies while getting a thorough, hassle-free clean. Book your service today!