A Step-by-Step Guide to Safely Clean Your Oven and Prevent Fires

The oven is often one of the most neglected appliances in the kitchen because when it’s closed, we don’t see or think about the grease and grime inside. But did you know that the oven is one of the most fire-prone appliances in the kitchen? It quickly accumulates grease, which is the root of grease fires in the kitchen.  

Maintaining a clean oven is not only essential for optimal cooking performance but also crucial for fire prevention. In this guide, we'll walk you through a comprehensive cleaning process using common household items to ensure both the interior and exterior of your oven are spotless and safe.

What You'll Need:

1. Sponges
2. Microfiber cloths
3. Baking soda
4. White vinegar
5. Plastic scraper or silicone brush
6. Dish soap

Cleaning the Oven Racks:

1. Remove the racks from the oven.
2. Place the racks in the sink.
3. Sprinkle baking soda over the oven racks.
4. Pour white vinegar over them, allowing the mixture to fizz.
5. Leave it for a few hours to loosen built-up dirt.
6. Rinse the racks with warm water.
7. Dry the racks using a microfiber cloth.
8. Keep the oven racks out as you move on to cleaning the oven's interior.

Cleaning the Inside of Your Oven:

1. Make a paste using ¾ cup baking soda and ¼ cup water.
2. Apply the paste inside the oven, avoiding the heating elements.
3. Let the paste sit overnight to loosen stubborn grime.
4. Scrub away the paste the following day using a sponge or damp cloth.
5. Use a plastic scraper or silicone brush for hard-to-reach spots.
6. Finish by wiping the inside with a damp cloth to remove any residue.

Cleaning the Outside of Your Oven:

1. Mix dish soap with warm water. 
2. Wipe down the surface using a cloth. Pay special attention to buttons and knobs. 
3. If you have a stainless steel oven, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water to get rid of marks and restore your oven’s shine.
4. Then, take a dry cloth and wipe the outside of your oven.
5. Put the leftover water and vinegar mixture in a spray bottle.
6. Next, spray the mixture on your oven's glass door and let it sit for a few minutes.
7. Gently rub the glass with a sponge or cloth to remove any residue.
8. If your oven has stubborn spots, use the baking soda and water paste from the previous section and let it sit overnight.
9. Scrub the paste away the next day using a sponge or damp cloth. 
10. Finish by wiping the outside of your oven using a damp cloth. 
11. Once everything is clean, put the racks back inside.

Learn more about home firefighting supplies.