How to clean an oven with home remedies: 5 methods for burnt-on grease

Of all the jobs in a kitchen, the oven is the one most people postpone – until a move-out date forces the issue. At a Swiss flat handover, the oven is one of the first things the property manager opens. The good news: knowing how to clean an oven with simple home remedies is mostly a question of time, not muscle. Let the products work overnight and the grease comes off far more easily. Here are the five methods we rely on.

Why oven grease is so stubborn

Every time you roast or bake, fat splatters onto the walls, door and roof of the oven. The heat bakes it on, layer by layer, until it turns brown or black and becomes hard. Sugar and cheese that drip onto the base burn into crusts.

The key to cleaning an oven is softening these layers before you try to remove them. Scraping dry grease takes ages and risks scratching the enamel. Soaking – with a paste, steam or hot water – does most of the work for you.

1. Baking soda paste overnight

This is our standard method for normal to heavy soiling.

1. Remove racks, trays and the rack supports if they come out.
2. Mix about half a cup of baking soda (Natron) with a few tablespoons of water into a spreadable paste.
3. Wearing gloves, spread it over the cold interior, avoiding the heating elements and the fan.
4. Leave it overnight – at least 8–12 hours.
5. Wipe off the paste with a damp cloth and a plastic scraper; use a non-scratch sponge for residues.
6. Spray a little diluted vinegar on remaining white residue, then wipe everything clean with clear water.

Baking soda works as a gentle alkaline cleaner and mild abrasive. It is safe on enamel, but always check your oven's manual for any special coatings.

2. Lemon or vinegar steam for light soiling

For ovens that are only lightly dirty, steam softens splashes quickly.

1. Fill an ovenproof dish with water and add the juice of two lemons or a splash of vinegar.
2. Heat the oven to about 120–150 °C and leave the dish inside for 30–45 minutes.
3. Let the oven cool until it is warm but safe to touch.
4. Wipe the softened grease away with a damp cloth.

This method also freshens the smell of the oven. It is not enough for thick, carbonised crusts.

3. Soak trays and racks

Oven trays and racks are awkward to scrub in a kitchen sink.

• Lay an old towel in the bathtub to protect the surface.
• Place the racks and trays on it and cover with hot water and a generous squirt of washing-up liquid – or add a dishwasher tablet dissolved in the water.
• Leave to soak for several hours or overnight.
• Scrub with a brush or non-scratch sponge, rinse and dry.

Enamelled trays can also be covered with baking soda paste. Check the manufacturer's instructions before putting racks in the dishwasher.

4. How to clean an oven door and its glass

Brown streaks between the panes of the oven door are a classic finding at the handover.

• Outside and inner surface: Apply baking soda paste, leave it for 30 minutes, wipe off and polish with a glass cloth.
• Between the panes: Many oven doors can be opened to remove the inner glass. Follow your manual exactly: usually the door is unhooked or the top trim unclipped, and the panes are lifted out.
• Clean the panes with warm soapy water, dry them and put them back in the correct order and orientation.

If you cannot find the manual, search for the model number on the type plate – often visible when the door is open. Never force the glass; it can break if handled incorrectly.

5. Self-cleaning functions and oven sprays

Many modern ovens have cleaning programmes:

Commercial oven cleaners work fast but can contain corrosive substances. Tox Info Suisse warns of the risk of chemical burns from oven and grill cleaners.

Don't forget the details

A clean interior alone may not pass a handover inspection. Also check:

• The rubber door seal (wipe gently, do not soak)
• The rack supports and runners
• The oven light cover, if removable
• The storage drawer beneath the oven
• The control panel and knobs

The homeowners' association lists the cooker and oven among the points a tenant should clean thoroughly before the handover. The extractor hood belongs in the same session – see our guide to cleaning extractor hood filters.

Common mistakes

• Steel wool or metal scrapers on enamel or glass: Leave permanent scratches.
• Cleaning a hot oven: Risk of burns, and products dry on too quickly.
• Spraying onto the fan or heating elements: Can damage parts and cause smoke later.
• Not rinsing residues: Leftover baking soda or cleaner smokes and smells the next time you bake.
• Leaving the oven to the last day: Overnight soaking is impossible when the handover is at 9 a.m.

For a room-by-room overview of everything checked at the handover, see our end of tenancy cleaning checklist.

Priority Clean editorial teamOur cleaning team from Alberswil, Canton of Lucerne, shares hands-on experience from move-out, house, office and window cleaning across Central and Northwestern Switzerland.