7 Cleaning Tips to Make Your Oven and Stovetop Sparkle

“Start with the gentlest option and work your way up,” says Kait Schulhof, founder and editor of A Clean Bee blog and podcast. She likes using distilled white vinegar because “it’s safe, inexpensive, very effective and relatively sustainable.” You can mix it with baking soda and some dish soap to create a paste for a deep clean or to remove burnt-on bits.

If you use commercial products, check the Environmental Working Group’ website about potentially harmful ingredients. Also, check your appliance’s manual for the manufacturers’ cleaning recommendations. Improper cleaning could invalidate the warranty.

Remove oven racks to clean them separately

Remove the racks and soak them overnight in a bathtub or large sink full of warm, soapy water to break down the grease and burnt-on food. If you use a tub, line it with towels to protect it from scratches. In the morning, wipe the racks down, scrubbing off any remaining bits.

Scour the oven interior

If the oven’s interior isn’t too dirty, wipe it down with a sponge or cloth soaked in distilled white vinegar, Schulhof advises. Another natural method is to apply the baking soda paste to the oven walls and let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes or overnight. Afterward, wipe down with a brush or a sponge soaked in distilled white vinegar, removing all the paste from cracks in the oven.

For a deep clean or if the oven is really grimy, consider using a commercial oven cleaner. Some people prefer foam because it clings to surfaces, whereas a spray can drip. Use an old toothbrush for corners and cracks. Check out Easy-Off Fume Free Oven Cleaner Spray, Goo Gone Oven & Grill Cleaner or Kona Safe/Clean Grill Cleaner.

Avoid soap because it leaves a film, Schulhof says, and be wary of anything that doesn’t clearly state that it’s fine to use on ovens because it may leave a residue that can cause fumes when the oven heats up.

Use your oven’s self-clean setting

If your oven is really dirty, use the self-cleaning feature. Before activating it, first empty the oven, including the racks, and use a silicone or wooden tool to scrape off encrusted food to minimize smoke and reduce the risk of fire. After the process, which takes at least a couple of hours, let the oven cool and, if needed, wipe down the inside,.

“The heat is doing all the hard work for you,” Holdefehr says. “It cleans with minimal effort without a lot of chemicals.”

When Elizabeth Skidmore, 59, of St. Petersburg, Florida, moved to a new home in 2022, she tried the oven’s self-cleaning feature after unsuccessfully attempting to clean it herself. “It took several hours [but the oven] got so clean — it was amazing,” she says.

The self-cleaning process will heat up the kitchen and may produce fumes, so open the windows or turn on a fan for ventilation. Also, make sure children and pets, especially birds, are out of the room, Holdefehr recommends.

Don’t forget the oven door

Even if you use the self-cleaning feature, the oven door’s window may not look clean. Spray glass cleaner on a cloth, or spread a thick coat of the baking soda mixture on the glass, letting it sit for 20 minutes to overnight, and then wipe.

Most oven doors unlatch, which lets you clean the crevice between the door and oven, and makes it easier to reach in to scrub the oven’s interior, Holdefehr notes. While the door may be easy to release, it could be heavy, so you may need help removing the door and putting it back on, she adds.

Choose the right products to clean your stovetop

What cleaning process and products you use depends on the type of cooktop. Soapy warm water or a baking soda paste works on most surfaces, including drip pans, electric coils and gas grates, Holdefehr says. Wipe well, leaving no residue.

For stainless steel, use white vinegar to clean and remove fingerprints, Schulhof says. For glass, use the baking soda paste with liquid soap on burn marks (let sit for at least an hour), the paste with vinegar for water marks (let sit for two nights covered in plastic wrap) or a specialty product like Weiman Glass Cook Top Cleaner & Polish, Schulhof says. Also, check out Carbona Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner and EZ Brite Glass & Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner & Conditioner.

When it comes to cleaning, a little effort goes a long way. The more regularly you clean the oven and stovetop, the longer you can go between deep scrubs. A brighter oven and stovetop make for an inviting kitchen and a welcome place to create delicious meals.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on April 13, 2023. It has been updated to reflect new information.