When you think about cleaning your kitchen, you probably envision putting away dishes, scrubbing the sink and cooktop and wiping down your countertops. While all of this is important, there may be one corner of your kitchen that you’ve been neglecting. Cleaning your oven is usually the last chore that comes to mind, but it’s still important – a dirty oven not only looks bad, it can also cause charred food to smoke up your kitchen or may infuse your favorite dish with bad smells and tastes.

Our comprehensive guide will teach you how to clean every part of your oven, including racks and glass doors. With these simple steps and a little bit of time, you’ll be on your way to a truly clean appliance.

Before you can clean the interior of your cooled oven, you’ll need to remove your racks and set them aside. This gives you an opportunity to let them soak in soapy water to remove burned on grease and grime.

1. Remove your oven racks. They should slide out easily.
2. Take your oven racks to a large tub. This can be a large basin, utility sink or even your bathtub. If you are soaking your racks in your bathroom, line your tub with old towels to avoid scratching.
3. Fill your basin, sink or tub with enough hot water to cover the racks.
4. Pour in ½ cup of mild dish soap or ¾ to 1 cup of laundry detergent.
5. Let the racks soak for at least two hours. Very dirty racks may need to be soaked overnight.
6. Once the racks are done soaking, use your cleaning brush and rag to scrub and wipe the racks clean.
7. Rinse your oven racks completely.
8. Dry your racks thoroughly using soft cloth towels. It is important to get the racks completely dry to avoid rust or corrosion.
9. Once the racks are dry and the oven is clean, place them back in your oven.

Cleaning the interior glass on your oven door is similar to cleaning your oven. However, there are a few different steps.

1. Place towels or a plastic trash bag under your oven door to catch any drips. 
2. Make a spreadable paste using baking soda and water. 
3. Spread the paste along the glass using a brush or flexible silicone spatula. 
4. Let this paste sit for a minimum of 20 minutes. This step may take longer depending on the amount of grime. 
5. When you are ready to remove the baking soda mix, use a damp cloth and a circular motion to scrub away the grime. You can also use a plastic scraper to remove any stubborn spots. After scrubbing, rinse your cloth and wipe up the paste. 
6. Spray the glass surface with white vinegar or lemon juice and wipe down with a damp cloth. Repeat this process until all of the baking soda is removed. 
7. Spray down one last time with vinegar or lemon juice, then dry with a soft cloth. 
8. Close your oven door and spray the exterior window with vinegar or glass cleaner. Wipe with a soft cloth. 
9. If the outside of your oven door is stainless steel, use a special stainless steel cleaner on these sections.