How To Clean A Glass Oven Door

Dirt is an inevitable part of life. Somehow, certain parts of your home probably have a tendency to show dirt and grime as soon as you finish cleaning them. It’s amazing how dust can settle in as soon as you put the cleaning supplies away.

But, what about those spots in your house you don’t see very often? In fact, there are places in your space you may have never even thought about cleaning, but that’s not to say they’re riddled with gross stuff you’d rather not have in your home. Glass oven doors are a common culprit when it comes to gathering unwanted gunk. They certainly get dirty easy enough, but getting them clean—well, that’s a different story.

Why You Should Clean Your Glass Oven Door

It’s easy to overlook your glass oven door when you’re doing your everyday cleaning, but gross stuff can build up on the inside and outside of your oven door pretty easily. Between splattered casseroles, spilled substances, and sticky fingers, your oven door is exposed to a lot of stuff on a regular basis. While it’s not necessary to clean your glass oven door as regularly as you might clean, say—your bathroom—eventually, you will want to put it on your to-do list because:

• The longer you leave it, the worse it gets. Even if you don’t use your oven very often, the door is bound to start accumulating buildup. Of course, if you’ve got something baking or broiling frequently, you’re even more likely to have an excess layer on the interior and exterior of the door. It’s not going to go anywhere on its own, so you might as well put it on the cleaning list at least semi-regularly so the task is less daunting each time you actually get around to it. As a note, self-cleaning ovens are an okay solution for surface-level cleaning, but if you really want to enjoy the experience of a freshly cleaned oven, you’ll need to put some elbow grease into it (or hire someone else who can take care of that task for you!)
• Hot grease creates smoke. Sure, it sounds like a simple statement that really doesn’t mean much for your specific situation, but when you live in tight quarters, an unexpected cloud of black smoke coming out of your kitchen can wreak havoc on the serenity of your space, as well as that of your neighbors. Since you live in New York, we’ll assume the idea of communal dwelling facilities isn’t something new; if you don’t want to evacuate your multi-story apartment or condo building because you’ve got black smoke billowing out of your oven, we suggest keeping the grease at bay.
• Your food is going to start to taste weird. Smoke is a problem all by itself, but even if it’s not rolling out of the crevices in your oven door, the flavors it’s trapping on the inside of your appliance are enough to completely alter the chemistry and taste of the entrees you make. Smoke-inspired dishes are great when you’re grilling out or making homemade BBQ, but if you’re just making a Monday night supper, you don’t want to taint the taste of your food with unwanted smoky sensations.
• New tenants expect clean appliances. If you’re a landlord or property manager, you should pay special attention to your appliances when you’ve got a vacant property. Potential renters pay attention to dirty that resides in places you may not have thought about. A thorough move out cleaning—performed by professionals—will ensure all the nooks and crannies of your space are clean and ready for new residents.

How To Clean A Glass Oven Door

It’s best to go with all-natural cleaning solutions since your oven door is directly associated with the food your family consumes. Lemon juice, distilled white vinegar, and water can do miracles on even the toughest greasy messes.

Cleaning The Outside Of Your Oven

Since this is the easiest piece of your oven to clean, it’s nice to start here so you can enjoy your accomplishments as you work toward more difficult tasks. Pour distilled white vinegar or lemon juice into a spray bottle and spritz it generously around the outside of your oven door. Using a microfiber cloth, wipe the cleaner in long vertical strokes. If you still have streaks when you’re finished, use a dry microfiber cloth to buff them out.

Cleaning The Inside Oven Window

Mix a 1/2 cup of baking soda with just enough water to make a thick pulp. When it’s about the texture of shaving cream, slather it onto the inside of your oven door and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Using a moistened microfiber cloth, wipe the mixture from the surface. If any buildup remains, use the flat edge of a razor blade to gently loosen the material. Repeat these steps as necessary.

Cleaning The Inside Of Your Oven Door

If you’re still seeing a foggy barrier after the inside and outside of your glass oven door are clean, the problem probably resides between the glass. Cleaning this portion of your oven door isn’t for the faint of heart because you’re likely to get a little grimy yourself. You’ll also need some tools (and maybe another person to help you.) You have to take your oven door apart to get to this part of the glass. Once you’ve broken down the components, repeat the baking soda step mentioned above until the glass is clean, then reassemble the parts.

If you’re struggling with the sticky stuff that’s stuck to your glass oven door, Maid Sailors is ready to be your clean-kitchen solution. Our full-service cleaning professionals are here to help with all of your cleaning and organization needs. Hire us today so you can have a sparkling home tomorrow!