How to Clean the Inside of Your Oven and Glass Door

Oven cleaning is one of those jobs that feels worse before you start than it actually is. The buildup inside—grease, spattered food, char marks—looks stubborn and permanent, but it's mostly just stuff that needs chemical time and patient scraping to release. The glass door is the part people see, so it gets noticed first, but it's also the easiest to damage if you rush. Done well, a clean oven heats more evenly, smells better, and actually works more efficiently. The job takes a few hours of active time spread over a day, which means you can do it without a professional and without taking your kitchen offline for long.

1. Clear the Path First. Pull out the oven racks and set them aside. Use a long-handled brush or a plastic scraper to knock loose any large chunks of burnt food, ash, or debris from the bottom and sides of the oven. Work systematically from top to bottom. Don't worry about fine residue yet—this step is just clearing away anything that will get in your way during the main clean.
2. Mix Your Secret Weapon. In a bowl, mix baking soda with just enough water to create a thick, spreadable paste—think peanut butter consistency. Start with a half cup of baking soda and add water a tablespoon at a time. The paste should cling to surfaces without running. You may need more paste than you think, so make a generous batch. If you want extra cleaning power, add a few drops of dish soap or white vinegar to the mixture.
3. Coat Everything Evenly. Using a plastic scraper, old paintbrush, or a gloved hand, spread the baking soda paste all over the interior of the oven. Cover the bottom, sides, back wall, and the inside of the top. Avoid heating elements and vents. Apply an even layer—about the thickness of a credit card—over all visible surfaces. Pay extra attention to corners and the rear wall where buildup tends to collect. Leave the glass door for now; you'll handle that separately.
4. Let Time Do the Work. Close the oven door and leave the paste undisturbed for 12 to 24 hours. The longer it sits, the more the baking soda breaks down the baked-on grime. This step is non-negotiable—it's what turns a two-hour scrub into a 30-minute job. Temperature doesn't matter; room-temperature resting is fine.
5. Lift Away the Grime. Open the oven and begin scraping systematically. Use a plastic scraper, putty knife, or wooden spoon to lift the dried paste and loosened grime from the bottom first. Work corner to corner, then move to the sides and back wall. The paste should come away in chunks; if it's still stuck hard, spray it with a little water to soften it and wait five minutes. Don't use metal scrapers on painted oven interiors—stick to plastic. Work over a shallow pan or sheet to catch debris and make cleanup easier.
6. Dissolve the Residue. Once loose paste is removed, spray the remaining residue with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. This will bubble slightly and help lift any remaining paste or discoloration. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth or sponge. For stubborn spots, spray again and let sit a bit longer. Use a fresh, damp cloth for each wipe to avoid pushing dirty water around. Continue until the interior looks clean and smells neutral.
7. Tackle the Glass Barrier. Once the oven interior is clean, focus on the glass door. Make a fresh batch of baking soda paste and apply it thickly to the glass, avoiding the metal frame. Alternatively, dampen the glass and sprinkle baking soda directly onto the wet surface—it will stick. Let this sit for at least 30 minutes (overnight is better). For extremely stubborn burnt spots, you can use a ceramic cooktop scraper or a fresh razor blade held at a 45-degree angle, but only if the glass is flat and not textured.
8. Achieve Crystal Clarity. Spray the dried paste on the glass door with the vinegar-water mixture and let it bubble for a minute. Use a plastic scraper to gently lift the paste and grime. Work in small sections and wipe as you go. If buildup remains, apply more paste, wait 15 minutes, and try again. For final clarity, wipe with a damp cloth, then dry with a microfiber cloth or crumpled newspaper for a streak-free finish. A small amount of glass cleaner can be used for final polishing if needed.
9. Restore the Racks. If you soaked the racks in the tub, drain the water and scrub them with a brush and soapy water, paying attention to the underside and grooves. For stubborn spots, use the same baking soda paste. Rinse thoroughly, dry with a cloth, and slide them back into the oven, making sure they sit level and click into place. Wipe down the oven entrance and the exterior with a damp cloth to remove any baking soda residue or water drips.
10. Perfect the Final Shine. Step back and look at the oven interior and glass door in natural light. Wipe any remaining streaks or residue with a clean, damp cloth. If the glass is still slightly cloudy, a light spray of glass cleaner and a final buff with a microfiber cloth will bring it to full clarity. Clean up any paste or water that dripped onto the stovetop or floor. Run the oven's fan for a few minutes if it has one to help dry the interior.