Ovens; even those that get used less often others, endure spills and build up, and periodically require cleaning. Oven cleaning isn’t always top on our priority cleaning lists, but when we finally accept our fate and duty, tackling the project might be a little overwhelming, and figuring out where to begin will often stop us in our tracks.
For the inexperienced oven cleaner, Nadia’s House Cleaning would like to offer a few tips and methods to get your oven cleaned.
What cleaning features are equipped on your oven?
Before you pull up your sleeves, you need to know what kind of cleaning features come with your oven.
– Self-cleaning ovens have a setting for cleaning. This feature heats your oven temperature to the extreme; turning your spills and food debris into ash.
– Textured ovens or sometimes referred to as continuous cleaning ovens, are coated with a porcelain layer that burns spill away as you are baking.
– Ordinary ovens have no cleaning features, and everything is cleaned manual.
Oven Cleaning Preparation
No matter the type of oven you have, when cleaning your oven – cleaning fumes are strong.
– Plan on tackling this assignment when fewer people are home or easier yet, when children are at school.
– Open the kitchen windows. The more windows ajar, the better the air circulation and ventilation.
– Fill a sink with warm, soapy water.
Self-cleaning featured ovens
– Remove the oven racks, and let them soak in the prepared water.
– Turn the self-cleaning mode on. This feature will lock the oven door to prevent injury. The oven heats up between 800-900 degree Fahrenheit. If you should notice the locking mechanism is malfunctioning, tape the oven door shut to get the point across.
– Oven-cleaning mode lasts between 2-6 hours. Grease, spills, and food debris is being burnt to ash for easy removal.
– Allow the oven to cool for at least 2 hours before you begin your part.
– Sweep out the ash and wipe the oven down with a damp rag.
– Either using a vinegar and water solution or your favorite oven safe detergent, mist the oven door and surrounding oven surfaces. Wipe down with a clean rag or cloth.
– You can scrub your oven racks during the self-cleaning cycle, or after your done tending to the oven itself. Scrub the wired racks well in your soapy water. Rinse well and allow the racks to dry thoroughly before replacing back into the oven.
Textured or continuous cleaning ovens
– Remove oven racks, and soak in the warm, soapy water.
– Since this cleaning feature is designed to be on-going, there are no cleaning modes to be set, just make sure oven is cool before cleaning.
– Avoid using abrasive scrubbing implements and chemicals. Using these things could cause damage to the porcelain layer.
– If needed, use a vinegar and water solution and lightly mist the ovens door and surfaces, and wipe clean with a damp cloth.
– Scrub the oven racks in warm, soapy water. Rinse in cool water and dry thoroughly before replacing into the oven.
Cleaning an ordinary oven
– Remove oven racks, and allow them to soak in warm, soapy water.
– Using a spray bottle (1 liter), mix 4 TBS of baking soda, and fill the remainder bottle with water. Shake well until the baking soda is fully dissolved. (If the charred food remains is really built up, mix more baking soda to form a paste, smear over the needed areas.)
– Spray the interior surfaces and oven door generously, focusing heavily on the overly built up and stained areas. Allow time for solution to fully penetrate the charred debris.
– Both liquid or pastes solution should be allowed dissolve for at least an hour.
– If the charring is easily chipped off, you can continue, if not re-lube and allow another 30 minutes to set in.
– Using scraper, scrape away the carbon debris.
– Spray another coat of baking soda and water solution to assist the ease of the scraping step.
– Sweep out the crusts.
– If there is still another layer of carbon crust, repeat the above steps.
– Once all the carbon crust and debris has been successfully removed, prepare equal parts water and vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray down the interior’s surface area and door with the solution. Oven designed chemicals are acceptable instead of the vinegar solution. These chemicals harsh, and can be harmful to breath, so use caution.
– Wipe down the interior well.
– Scrub oven racks, rinse well, and dry thoroughly before replacing.
Every day oven cleaning tips
To avoid major oven scrubbing days, consider these tips to ease the oven cleaning burden.
– Place a baking sheet on the bottom of your oven when baking the notorious messy meals or treats to catch grease, or spills.
– If you should notice a spill while food is still cooking, sprinkle salt over the mess to make cleaning a breeze.
– Once oven is off and cooled, wipe away spills immediately.
Professional House Cleaning & Housekeeping Services in Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Lexington & Milton Massachusetts
Nadia’s House Cleaning offers many services in the way of cleaning house! If you simply can’t afford the time, or health risks do not permit you from cleaning, allow one of our trained professionals to get your home sparkling clean, including the oven.
