How to Clean the Inside of Your Oven

Oven cleaning sits in that frustrating gap between manageable and dreaded—it's not technically difficult, but the grime that accumulates inside an oven feels industrial and permanent. The truth is simpler: baked-on food and grease respond well to alkaline paste and time, which means you can skip the fumes and toxic commercial cleaners. A night of soaking does most of the work for you. This guide walks you through a method that works on gas and electric ovens alike, gets results without scrubbing yourself raw, and uses materials you probably have at home already.

1. Clear Everything Out First. Remove the oven racks, thermometer, pizza stone, or anything else inside. If your racks are removable, pull them out. Set them aside—you'll clean those separately if needed. Take a moment to assess the buildup: heavy carbonized spots on the ceiling, sides, and floor will need more paste and longer soaking than light grease.
2. Mix the Magic Paste. In a small bowl, mix baking soda with water to create a spreadable consistency—think the texture of thick peanut butter. Start with half a cup of baking soda and add water a tablespoon at a time until you reach the right consistency. You'll likely need about three to four tablespoons of water. Stir until smooth and free of lumps.
3. Coat All the Grime. Using a plastic or silicone spatula (not metal, which scratches), spread the paste inside the oven. Work systematically from one side to the other. Cover the bottom, walls, and ceiling where grime is visible. Avoid the heating elements—work around them carefully. Apply a thicker layer to heavy-buildup areas. You don't need to cover every millimeter of bare metal, just where you see discoloration.
4. Let Chemistry Do the Work. Close the oven door and walk away. The baking soda works chemically on the grime, not mechanically by scrubbing, so time is your tool here. Overnight (8–12 hours) is ideal. In that window, the alkaline paste breaks down the acidic carbon deposits and grease without any elbow work from you. If you're on a shorter timeline, six hours minimum will still make a meaningful difference.
5. Activate with Vinegar Spray. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar. Spray the entire interior where paste remains, including the floor and walls. You'll see the vinegar react with the baking soda—it'll foam and fizz slightly. This reaction helps break down any remaining grime and neutralizes the baking soda so it doesn't leave a residue. Let it sit for a couple of minutes.
6. Scrape Away the Buildup. Using a plastic or silicone spatula, scrape from top to bottom, working methodically across the interior. The paste should come away in chunks along with the loosened grime. For stubborn spots, scrape at a shallow angle rather than straight on—leverage works better than force. Collect the scraped material in a bowl or on a large garbage bag for easier cleanup.
7. Wipe the Interior Clean. Dampen a microfiber cloth or old towel with warm water. Wipe the entire interior, repeating the top-to-bottom pattern. You're removing the remaining paste residue and loosened grime. Rinse the cloth frequently—grime-filled cloth just smears things around. You may need two or three cloths to get to a clean surface. Don't worry about it being sterile; you're aiming for visibly clean.
8. Restore the Glass Door. Apply the same baking soda paste to the inside of the glass door. Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour, then spray with vinegar, let it fizz briefly, and wipe with a damp cloth. For heavy buildup on glass, make a slightly thicker paste and use a non-scratch sponge on the stubborn spots. The glass usually comes clean faster than the oven cavity itself.
9. Soak and Scrub the Racks. For heavily soiled racks, soak them in the bathtub with hot water and baking soda (one cup per tub) for two to four hours, then scrub with a soft brush or cloth. For lighter buildup, wipe them with the damp cloth after scraping off loose debris. If the racks have stubborn spots, apply paste to those areas and let them sit while you finish the oven interior. Dry them completely before reinstalling.
10. Slide Racks Back In Place. Once racks are dry, slide them back into their original positions. Double-check that they sit evenly on both sides and slide smoothly. Close the oven door slowly to confirm nothing binds. Arrange your racks at the same heights they were before to maintain proper airflow and cooking consistency.
11. Final Polish and Air Dry. Do one last pass of the entire interior with a clean, dry cloth to catch any remaining moisture or residue. Open the oven door and let the interior air dry for 10–15 minutes before using the oven. If you see any damp spots, a final wipe removes them. Your oven is now ready to use.