Those of us who cook a lot understand just how dirty an oven can get. Grease, oil, and smoke all contribute to a dirty oven. The problem is that if it is left for too long, a dirty oven will be more difficult to clean than ever! This is a real problem, especially for those of us who rent homes and have regular inspections. Ensuring that the oven is clean in this instance is crucial to passing a home inspection, especially if one has a very picky inspector!
How to Get a Clean Oven
So, how can you pass your next home inspection? Here are some great tips for cleaning your oven:
- Regularity: The problem with most ovens is that they are just not cleaned regularly enough. Usually, one starts to clean the oven when the grease has formed an orange layer on the glass but this is really not enough cleaning. By this time, it takes a lot of work to get through all of the built-up grime! If possible, it is always a good idea to clean the oven at least once a week. In fact, it’s even a good idea to get into the habit of wiping it clean after every meal is cooked as part of the washing-up process. This ensures that grease, soot, and oil buildup is minimised.
- Products: If you’re the type to use chemical cleaning products from the supermarket, why not place them right next to the oven in a cupboard? This way, you’ll have immediate and easy access to them when you need them most.
- Work at it: Cleaning an oven takes some work and elbow grease, especially if it has not been cleaned for some time! The only way to get rid of baked-on grease and grime is to really scrub at it.
- Baking Soda Method: Those who understand the wonders of baking soda will also know that it can be used for cleaning out a dirty oven. This is a great tip for people who don’t like to use chemicals or are allergic to them. It’s also an easy way to avoid a lot of the elbow grease that many people put into cleaning in a single session. Just mix baking soda and water into a nice paste and then coat all of the dirty areas of the oven, apart from the heating elements. Leave it overnight and then wipe it all out the next morning with a damp cloth. After this, just spray some vinegar over the areas to be cleaned and it will react with the leftover baking soda paste and foam up. This makes it easier to get rid of baked-on grease and grime.
A Clean Oven Every Time
The truth is that most of us just set and forget our ovens. We cook in them week after week without ever thinking to clean them out. Of course, it’s important to have a clean oven, just as it is for every other part of the home. Setting a regular cleaning time, putting in some effort, or tackling it with a baking soda paste will ensure a clean oven every time.