How To Clean an Oven (The Best Way, No Harsh Chemicals)

Cleaning your oven doesn’t have to involve harsh fumes, mystery chemicals, or the dreaded self-clean cycle. This step-by-step guide walks you through the best way to clean an oven at home using safe, effective methods that actually work.

I’ll be honest: we finished our kitchen renovation in January 2021, and until recently, I had never cleaned our oven. Five years. No deep cleaning at all.

To be fair, I don’t cook very often, but my husband uses it quite a bit. We also had that dreaded pan sitting on the bottom of the oven to catch spills, so things wouldn’t smoke. Not ideal, but it felt like the best thing at the time.

When I finally removed the pan, I was actually surprised — the bottom of the oven was pretty clean. The real issue was the oven racks, which had never been cleaned and were extremely dirty.

The good news is that I finally got around to deep cleaning our oven over winter break, and it wasn’t that bad. I was dreading this task, and it ended up being pretty easy! Today, I’ll walk you through everything you need to deep clean your own oven, no harsh chemicals needed!

Step 1: Remove and Soak the Oven Racks

I started by removing the oven racks, including the sliding racks. I had to look up how to take mine out. To remove sliding oven racks, pull the rack all the way out until it’s fully extended. Then lift the front slightly and pull the rack straight out, following the direction of the rails.

I placed two towels in my bathtub (so the racks wouldn’t scratch them), laid the racks on top, filled the tub with hot water, and added a few dishwasher detergent pods. Then I let them soak while I worked on the inside of the oven.

Step 2: Vacuum Out Loose Debris

Before applying any cleaning solution, I used a shop vac to vacuum out loose food particles, ash, and crumbs from the bottom of the oven. This makes the entire cleaning process easier and less messy.

Step 3: Steam Clean the Interior

Next, I used my steam cleaner to loosen grime inside the oven, especially on the oven door glass. Steam works really well for baked-on food and grease buildup without harsh chemicals. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite little gadgets, and I’m surprised by how often I use it for deep cleaning projects like this one!

I focused on the oven door, the bottom of the oven, the sides and interior surfaces. I avoided the heating elements and the back panel.

The steam cleaner is 1 of my 7 favorite cleaning products that are actually worth the hype!

Step 4: Apply a Baking Soda Paste

I made a spreadable baking soda paste using baking soda and a little water. There’s no right or wrong ratio for this. Just slowly add water to a bowl of baking soda until it’s a nice spreadable paste.

Wearing rubber gloves, I spread the paste all over the inside of the oven — sides, bottom, and glass — again avoiding the heating elements. I let the paste sit and dry for a while (maybe 1-2 hours) to break down grease and stubborn stains.

Step 5: Wipe Everything Down

After the baking soda had time to work, I used a wet sponge and damp cloth to wipe down the entire interior of the oven. For tougher spots, I went back in with the steam cleaner.

I’ll be honest here: the oven glass did not come out perfect. It looked much cleaner, but there was still some greasy residue trapped inside the glass. At that point, I decided this was as good as it gets without using commercial oven cleaners or harsh chemicals, and I was okay with that!

A Note About Cleaning Between the Oven Door Glass

I briefly considered cleaning between the oven door glass and even grabbed my drill… but I stopped. I checked my oven manual, and it didn’t clearly state that the glass could be safely removed.

My advice: check your manual first. Some ovens allow this, some don’t. If it’s not clearly approved, don’t force it. You don’t want the glass to slip out and break!

Step 6: Scrub the Oven Racks

After a few hours of soaking, I scrubbed the racks in the bathtub using a scouring pad. This removed most of the grime (and left my tub full of gross chunks, eek).

Then I moved them to the kitchen sink and used steel wool to tackle the remaining baked-on food. The difference was dramatic! Those steel wool scrubbers work well. Once clean, I rinsed them with warm water, dried them with a soft cloth, and slid them back into place.

My oven honestly has never looked better.

Should You Use the Self-Cleaning Oven Feature?

Before Thanksgiving, my husband suggested using the self-cleaning cycle, and I looked at him like he had three heads. No way!

How Self-Cleaning Ovens Work

The self-cleaning function uses extreme temperatures (often 800–900°F) to burn food residue into ash. While it sounds convenient, that heat can cause unpleasant odors, smoke, and even toxic fumes from burning food particles.

In many cases, the self-cleaning feature still doesn’t remove everything and you’ll end up manually cleaning anyway.

Personally, I much prefer this DIY oven cleaning method. It’s gentler, more controlled, and avoids exposing your home to smoke, high temperatures, and terrible smells before your guests arrive!

How Often Should You Clean Your Oven?

Let this be your reminder: waiting five years is not the goal. This is one of those tasks that feels big if you ignore it, but manageable when it’s part of regular home maintenance.

• Light cleaning: every 3–6 months
• Deep cleaning: once a year (or more often if you cook frequently)

Regular maintenance keeps grease from building up, prevents unpleasant odors, and makes deep cleans much easier over time.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning your dirty oven doesn’t have to be intimidating or involve harsh chemicals. With a few pantry staples, some warm water, and a little patience, you can deep clean your oven safely and effectively!