Oven walls often get overlooked in regular cleaning routines. Over time, they accumulate splatters from bubbling casseroles, splashes of oil, and baked-on spills. The accumulation of grease not only make your oven look grimy and cause unpleasant odors, but may also affect its performance. Cleaning the oven walls—especially baked-on oven grime—does take some elbow grease, but wow, is it worth it.

How do the walls of the oven get so dirty, anyway?

The main culprits behind dirty oven walls are cooking splatters and spills that go unnoticed or are left too long. Every time you roast a chicken or bake a lasagna, tiny particles of grease and food shoot onto the oven’s interior walls. If not cleaned promptly, the heat bakes these particles into stubborn, carbonized residue. Frequent use without regular maintenance leads to a cake of grease that’s much harder to clean.

Try This, Not That

  • Try baking soda and vinegar; not harsh chemicals. While store-bought commercial oven cleaners can be effective, many release strong fumes and might not be safe for all oven surfaces.
  • Try warm, soapy water for light grease; avoid abrasive scrubbers. Using abrasive tools can scratch the oven’s interior and damage its coating.
  • Try cleaning after every few uses; not waiting months. Tackling spills promptly prevents baked-on grease from becoming stubborn spots and an unmanageable task.

The Easiest Way to Clean Your Oven Walls

You'll Need

  • Baking soda
  • White vinegar
  • Warm water
  • Spray bottle
  • Non-abrasive sponge or paper towel
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Rubber gloves

1. Wipe Out Oven

  • Remove oven racks to clean separately.
  • Use a soft brush to knock down any stuck-on food bits.
  • Wipe up these loose food particles with a damp soft cloth or with the hose attachment of a vacuum.

2. Mix a Gentle Cleaning Solution

  • In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with a few tablespoons of water to form a spreadable paste.
  • Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle.

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3. Apply the Paste to the Oven Walls

  • Use a non-abrasive sponge or paper towel to spread the baking soda paste over the oven walls.
  • Focus on areas with heavy buildup.
  • Let it sit for 15-20 minutes; for stubborn stains, let it sit overnight.

4. Spray with Vinegar

  • Lightly spray the baking soda-covered walls with vinegar.
  • The mixture will fizz, helping to break down the oven grease and grime.

5. Wipe Down the Walls

  • Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe away the paste and loosened grease.
  • Rinse the cloth with warm water as needed to avoid spreading residue.

6. Repeat for tough spots

  • Reapply the baking soda-water paste to baked-on residue and let it sit for a couple of minutes.
  • Spray with vinegar.
  • Wipe out the baking soda mixture with hot water on a damp sponge.

6. Dry and Polish

Once the walls are clean, use a dry microfiber cloth to remove any remaining moisture and give the interior a final polish.

Dirty top of the oven and heating elements.
Nervous about cleaning the top of the oven behind the heating elements? Rely on the self-cleaning function. Credit: Emily Fazio

FAQ

How do you clean the top of the oven interior?

To clean the top of the oven, use the same baking soda and vinegar method. Apply the paste carefully to avoid contact with the heating elements, let it sit, and wipe gently with a damp cloth. For hard-to-reach spots, a soft toothbrush can help.

Can you clean around heating vents and delicate heating functions?

Yes, but proceed carefully. Use a small amount of the baking soda paste and a soft brush or cloth to gently clean around the vents. Avoid using too much water or cleaning solution, as moisture can affect the oven’s functionality. For ovens with delicate heating functions like convection fans, stick to light cleaning with a damp microfiber cloth. Avoid applying paste or liquid cleaners directly to these areas to prevent damage.

Can I just use the self-cleaning function?

Yep, of course. The self-cleaning feature is great, especially for deep cleans when the entire oven has a lot of baked on gunk. Just remember: this feature does create strong odors which may be hard to stomach when it's too cold to open windows. It puts out a lot of heat which isn't ideal during summer months. And no matter the season, your oven is out of commission for hours.