How to clean a glass oven door in 7 steps to remove grease, grime and burnt-on stains

Scrubbing the oven is a loathsome chore as it is, so if you then have to figure out how to clean a glass oven door, we can see why it might be the last thing you’d want to do.

Over time grease, splatters, and burnt-on residue build-up, leaving the once-clear glass looking foggy and far from its best. So when it comes to how to clean an oven, the door does need extra attention as it gets dirty so quickly.

And, unfortunately, things only get worse the longer it’s left. ‘If this is allowed to accumulate, over time it will create a layer of grime on the oven door which gets harder and harder to remove,' explains Dean Wilson a specialist at Ovenclean. 'Cooking at high temperatures also causes these spills and splatters to burn onto the glass, again, making them even harder to remove.'

So while cleaning your glass oven door may initially be a pain, keeping on top of the chore and adding it to your cleaning calendar will make it easier over time.

We've put together an easy step-by-step guide with help from the experts to make the job as painless as possible.

What you'll need

Step-by-step

1. Check if the glass can be removed

Leaning down on an open oven door to clean it can be risky, especially when applying force whilst scrubbing. Natasha Sweet, a product specialist at AEG tells us, ‘Some oven doors and glass panels can be removed for even easier cleaning, so please check the instructions in the manufacturer’s user manual.’

If your oven door glass can be removed, Natasha advises, ‘Be sure to place it carefully onto a soft, flat surface, such as a towel.’

However, if your glass cannot be removed, just remember that the hinges of the door can only take so much pressure, so be mindful when leaning on the glass to clean it.

2. Loosen the dirt beforehand

First things first, make sure your oven is off and cool enough to work with.

'Check over the manufacturer’s instructions for any specific cleaning instructions relating to your particular oven,' says Sarah Dempsey at MyJobQuote.

'If you are tackling light grease and grime, simply grab some microfibre cloths, white vinegar, and baking soda and begin wiping the door down with a damp microfibre cloth.'

However, if you are dealing with a lot of grime and are looking to speed up the cleaning process, it’s an idea to use steam to loosen some of the caked-on dirt.

‘To save yourself some trouble, place a large heat-proof dish filled with water and a few tablespoons of vinegar on the middle rack of the oven,' advises Matt Ayres, a consultant at RDO, one of the UK’s largest independent appliance retailers. 'Set the oven to low heat and let it sit for 30 minutes. The steam generated will help loosen up any burnt bits and grease, making it easier to wipe away.’

3. Tackle grease splatters

When cleaning with vinegar alone won't cut it, Sarah Dempsey from MyJobQuote swears by baking soda.

'If there are grease spatters on the glass, make a paste of baking soda and water and add this to the affected area.'

'Allow the paste to sit for around 10-15 minutes and then scrub it gently with a microfibre cloth. Rinse the glass and then dry it thoroughly.'

4. Add a little washing up liquid

'If you are tackling baked on grease and grime, you’ll need to take a different approach,' explains Sarah.

'Mix together equal parts water and baking soda to create a paste. You can also add a few drops of dish soap for additional grease-cutting power. Spread the paste on the glass generously and allow it to sit for around 20 – 30 minutes.'

'This will then loosen the grime. Gently scrub the past with a non-abrasive sponge or a damp microfibre cloth.'

5. Try a dishwasher tablet

Dishwasher tablets are designed to break down grease, making them ideal for oven doors.

‘Dip a dishwasher tablet in warm water and use it to scrub directly onto the oven door,' advises Catherine Green, smol’s sustainable cleaning guru. 'Work across the door, continuing to occasionally dip your dishwasher tablet back into the water, then simply wipe clean!’

You could also try another oven door hack – cleaning the oven with a lemon. The citric acid in lemons gives them the power to cut through grease, especially when combined with baking soda.

Simply cut the lemon in half, sprinkle the exposed lemon flesh with a liberal amount of baking soda and then rub it all over the glass in circular motions until the baked-on grease is loosened. If the glass is particularly dirty, you may need a few lemons.

6. Use a scraper for stubborn stains

If most of the dirt and grease has lifted from the glass but there are still some stubborn areas that won’t shift, they may require some manual scraping. This step requires finesse – you don’t want to end up with scratched glass.

The trick is to keep the scraper at a 45-degree angle so that you’re basically slipping under the edges of the food and lifting it off, rather than scraping the glass itself. Practice on an inconspicuous part of the glass (perhaps around the lower edges) until you have the hang of it and even then, go slowly and gently.

If you're a little worried about using a scraper or scourer, you can try another route, 'Rinse the glass thoroughly with warm water. If the glass is quite greasy and grimy, you may need to repeat these steps 2 – 3 times before the glass is completely clean,' says Sarah.

'Once finished, spray the glass with equal parts white vinegar and water. This will loosen any remaining residue. Then, wipe the oven glass clean with a damp microfibre cloth before drying it thoroughly.'

7. Don’t forget the outside

Now that your oven door is gleaming on the inside, you want to make sure it’s just as spotless on the outside too.

‘Cleaning the outside of your oven is very similar to cleaning your windows,' says Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance expert at Domestic & General. 'Spritz with a glass cleaner, wipe with a damp cloth in circular motions until all the dirt has disappeared and then buff the glass with a clean dry cloth to remove any streaks.’

Now that your oven door looks pristine, don’t let dirty knobs spoil the overall look. ‘Remove all the knobs and soak them in either white vinegar or warm, soapy water,' adds Ian. 'Rinse them and then let them dry, clean the area where knobs sit whilst you wait to make sure any dirt isn’t left behind.’

If your knobs aren’t removable, use an old toothbrush or crevice brush to get in behind them.

Alternative ways to clean a glass oven door

If the above method didn't do the trick, there are other ways to clean a glass oven door. We asked the owner of Northallerton Glass to give us the best alternatives that you can use with kitchen cupboard staples.

• Bicarbonate of soda and vinegar or lemon juice - 'Mix equal parts bicarbonate of soda and water to form a paste. Apply this paste to the oven door, and allow it to sit for roughly 15 minutes. Afterwards, mix the vinegar or lemon juice with water in a spray bottle and spray this on the glass door where you have applied the paste. Wipe the oven door clean with a sponge or a cloth.'
• Bicarbonate of soda and salt - 'Combine the salt and bicarbonate of soda to make a paste. Apply this paste to the oven door, and leave it to sit for fifteen minutes. After fifteen minutes have passed, scrub the oven door with a non-abrasive sponge and rinse any residue off with water.'
• Castile soap - mix castile soap and water together in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the oven door and leave this for a few minutes. Use a non-abrasive sponge to scrub the oven door clean, and rinse with water.
• Hydrogen peroxide and bicarbonate of soda - 'Mix the hydrogen peroxide and bicarbonate of soda together to make a paste. Apply this paste to the oven door and leave it for roughly fifteen minutes. Afterwards, wipe the door with a damp cloth.'
• Commercial cleaners - 'If you are going to use a commercial cleaner instead to clean your glass oven door, always read the label and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Some cleaners can be harsh and you should wear protective equipment and handle them carefully to keep yourself safe. You should only use these cleaners in a well-ventilated room and use them sparingly, ensuring that they do not come into contact with your skin or eyes. Safer commercial cleaners are those that do not contain bleach, such as Bar Keeper's Friend, as they are still just as effective as harsher cleaners.'

FAQs

How do I get brown stains off my glass oven door?

'If your oven is covered in brown stains, then it’s wise to clean it as soon as you’re able. You can, of course, buy specific oven cleaners. However, there are a couple of cheap homemade options you can make,' advises AO.com's oven expert, Jay Lockton.

'The first would be to mix bicarbonate of soda with water to form a thick paste. Simply apply this to any stains and let it sit for around half an hour before wiping away the excess.'

'Another idea would be to spray white vinegar onto any affected areas. Let this sit for a couple of minutes then wipe this away with a damp sponge or a cloth.'

Liam Spencer, the owner of Northallerton Glass adds that he thinks the best thing to use for brown stains on a glass oven door is a dishwasher tablet.

'Use a pressed powder tablet, not a pod, and dip this into warm water before using it to scrub the brown stains on the oven door.'

'This works on stubborn stains as the tablet is made from concentrated dishwashing detergent, which is formulated to cut through grease, and the pressed powder tablets will also have a slightly abrasive surface that will scrub the door without scratching the glass.'

How do you get burnt on grease off a glass oven door?

There are specialist oven cleaning products but they often contain harsh chemicals. If you’re looking for a more natural solution, Matt Ayres from RDO explains how to make your own cleaner, ‘there are plenty of homemade options that will do the trick. Mix a paste of baking soda and water and spread it on.’ Or Matt says you can, ‘create an oven spray with some diluted vinegar, which will help break down grease.’

For grease that is especially burnt on, you may need to gently lift it off with a non-scratch glass scraper.

How do you clean the glass inside an oven door?

Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance expert at Domestic & General advises you give the products you use on the glass some serious thought, ‘Make sure to check the product isn't abrasive or overly strong as this can lead to cracks or shattering and mean you will require an oven repair.’

Try using either a dishwasher tablet, baking soda and water paste or vinegar spray that’s mentioned above and apply until the entire surface of the glass is coated. Leave for at least 15 minutes and then gently scrub off the cleaning agent and dirt in circular motions before rinsing off and drying completely.

What is the best homemade oven glass cleaner?

'Homemade oven cleaners are always a good option and cheaper than forking out for a specific oven cleaner,' explains Jay Lockton, oven expert at AO.com.

'The best option would be to mix bicarbonate of soda and water into a paste.'

'Spread this onto your oven’s glass and leave this to sit for around half an hour. Come back to it and wipe it down for a spotless clean.'

What is the best thing to clean oven door glass with?

Cleaning experts say the best way to clean your glass oven door is to use something that's slightly abrasive (but not enough to scratch) and also able to cut through grease.

'Products that will do this include bicarbonate of soda or dish soap, which can be even more powerful if they are left to sit on the oven door for a few minutes before scrubbing,' explains Liam Spencer, the owner of Northallerton Glass.

'The bicarbonate of soda and vinegar mix takes some beating. This mix is effective at both removing grease and grime without scratching your oven’s glass.' Jay Lockton, oven expert at AO.com.

'Bicarbonate of soda is highly effective at cleaning oven glass as it can help lift grime easily without scratching. To master using it, mix it with water to form a paste then spread this oven the glass.'

'Let this sit for half an hour before scrubbing and wiping it clean. For the best option, however, you should try to mix bicarbonate of soda or vinegar and water.'

What should you avoid when cleaning a glass oven door?

'There are a couple of easy traps to fall into when it comes to cleaning your oven,' warns Jay Lockton, AO.com's oven expert.

'For starters, try to avoid using too much water as this can damage the heating element or cause rust in your appliance.'

'Instead, try to use only damp cloths or sponges to prevent this from happening.'

Now you just have to face cleaning the rest of the oven.