Using Commercial Oven Cleaners

• Commercial oven cleaners contain harsh chemicals that eat away grease and food buildup. To use the oven cleaner, spray it directly on the oven surface and let it soak into the stains. Scrub the stains off and wipe the residue up with clean cloths. Do not use commercial oven cleaners if you are concerned about introducing harsh chemicals into your home's air environment.
  
  

Using Homemade Oven Cleaners

• Homemade oven cleaners use a combination of natural ingredients and mild chemicals to slough off dirt and other residue from your oven walls and floor. To use it, mix 1 tbsp. each of dish soap, lemon juice and bleach with 1 qt. warm water. Apply the cleaning solution to the surface of the oven with a sponge and let it sit for several minutes. Scrub the dirt off with a scrubbing brush.
  
  

Using Natural Oven Cleaner

• Natural oven cleaner does not have the potency of commercial or homemade cleaners that contain bleach, but these cleaners will not bring harmful chemicals into your home. Mix 5 tbsp. baking soda with three drops liquid dish soap and 4 tbsp. white vinegar. The acid vinegar and the alkaline baking soda will react and bubble on the surface of the oven.
  
  

Self-Cleaning Method

• Many ovens have self-cleaning capabilities. When you turn the oven self-cleaner on, the oven door will lock and the oven will adjust to a very high heat. This will burn off all of the food residue, leaving simple ash behind. When the self-cleaning cycle ends, you can sweep up the ash and throw it away.