10 Mar 2026
oven clean cheat sheet:
- Wrap oven racks in foil + dishwasher tablets = magic.
- Baked-on spills? Try a baking soda paste overnight.
- Oven glass? smol dishwasher tablets do wonders.
- Steam clean if your oven has the function.
- Don’t forget the dials and control panel, they deserve love too.
- No harsh chemicals needed.
If your oven is looking like somewhere food should not go. Join the club.
According to several surveys, oven cleaning consistently ranks as one of the most hated household chores.1 But fear not, we’re here with your oven-cleaning masterplan. That’s minimal faff for maximum sparkle.
You’ll need:
- smol dishwasher tablets
- aluminium foil
- old towel or bath mat
- bath or large sink
- hot water
- gloves
- bicarbonate of soda
- clean cloth
- white vinegar
- washing up liquid
- multi purpose spray
let’s go.
step 1. oven racks.
Possibly the most annoying bit and the most fiddly. BUT there’s a shortcut, starring smol dishwasher tablets.
- Wrap each tray or rack in aluminium foil.
- Line your bath/sink with a towel (to protect it) and place your foil-wrapped items on top.
- Put a smol dishwasher tablet on each wrapped parcel.
- Add in hot water until everything’s submerged.
- Leave for a few hours (or overnight if possible).
- Unwrap and rinse. Recycle the foil. Marvel at the shine. Return trays to your oven.
- Applaud yourself.
step 2. oven glass.
You don’t need specialist cleaners for your oven glass, just a smol dishwasher tablet and a little know-how.
- Always make sure the oven is turned off and cold.
- Pop on your gloves.
- Dip a smol dishwasher tablet in warm water (just a bit so it’s always damp).
- Rub it gently across the glass to start dissolving those burnt-on bits.
- Wipe with a damp cloth (plant-based smol ones work beautifully).
- Enjoy that mirror-level shine.
N.B. You can usually remove the glass panel from the frame of the oven door if you’d prefer to clean it on a flat surface or over a sink. Just check your oven manual for how.
step 3. oven interior.
For stubborn spills and greasy walls, reach for bicarbonate of soda and some water.
- Make a paste of bicarb and water (aim for consistency of porridge).
- Smear it over your oven’s problem zones.
- Leave in place overnight (cover it if needed with damp kitchen paper to stay moist).
- In the morning, spray the area with white vinegar to foam away any residue.
- Wipe it all off with warm water and a clean cloth or sponge.
Some ovens have removable side racks so if that’s you… take them out first so you can get into every corner.
4. steam clean.
If your oven has a steam clean mode (check the manual), now’s the time.
- Fill a metal roasting tin with 400ml of water.
- Pop it on the bottom shelf.
- Run a steam clean at 200°C for 25 mins.
- Once the oven has cooled, wipe the insides with a damp cloth.
5. control panel & dials.
Greasy fingerprints won’t go with your newly sparkling oven interior so let’s not forget the oven controls.
- Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe the panel and dials.
- Dry with another clean cloth.
- No aggressive scrubbing, just a gentle clean is all you need.
6. outer oven.
Now for the finishing touches:
- Use warm water and a little washing-up liquid with a soft cloth or sponge.
- For extra sparkle, use our multi purpose spray for any hard-to-shift grease spots.
- Buff dry for a showroom finish.
oven cleaning FAQs.
how often should I clean my oven?
Ideally every 2 to 3 months, or whenever your oven starts to look (or smell) like a burnt offering. A quick wipe after each use also helps make the big cleans less scary.
can I use smol dishwasher tablets to clean the whole oven?
Yes and no. They’re brilliant on oven racks and glass doors, but we don’t recommend using them all over the oven’s interior. Stick with a bicarbonate of soda paste and vinegar for the walls and base to keep things gentle and effective.
is it safe to clean my oven with bicarbonate of soda and vinegar?
Totally. It’s a classic combo that breaks down grease and burnt-on food without the harsh chemicals. Just rinse everything thoroughly afterwards.
what if my oven has catalytic liners?
Lucky you! These self-clean when the oven heats above 200°C. Just avoid scrubbing them or using harsh cleaners so check your manual if you’re unsure what type of liner you’ve got.
can I remove the oven door glass to clean it?
In many ovens, yes! It makes cleaning much easier. Just check your manual first and take note of how everything comes apart (and goes back together again).