Introduction
Oven cleaning has a direct relationship with your bond refund, kitchen hygiene, and even cooking efficiency. Therefore, it isn’t a matter of just maintaining the bond refund.
Most people think, “I clean my oven every month, so I’m good.” This is entirely incorrect because most bonds require you to leave the house in a deep-clean condition.
In this guide, you will learn:
- Step-by-step instructions for thorough oven cleaning.
- Comparison between DIY and commercial cleaning methods
- Effective oven cleaning tricks
- How to avoid future oven buildup.
- Situations when it is best to get an oven cleaner professional.
Why Clean the Oven Before Moving Out?
If a tenant is preparing for end-of-lease oven cleaning, chances are that the agent will inspect the oven thoroughly. Accumulated grease, burnt residues, and stained racks are likely targets for bond ‘attacks’.
A deep clean oven service goes beyond the basics:
– Get rid of stubborn grease residue in cooktop corners
– Clean off carbon deposits from the door
– Clean fan covers, trays, and glass.
Many of these areas are crucial for getting the bond back.
👉 Tip: The glass around the door is often missed by many tenants. You can find more information on our End of Lease Cleaning Checklist.
DIY or Professional: Complete Oven Cleaning Guide
Like a professional, here’s the proper way to do it:
1. Gather supplies
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
- White vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Gloves and mask (if using commercial oven cleaners)
- Plastic scraper
- Microfiber cloth
- Remove and soak oven racks
Wash with hot, soapy water in a large basin.
Soak for 2–4 hours to help lift any grime.
- Apply baking soda paste
For tough-to-remove grease, mix white vinegar with baking soda.
Carefully apply to the oven, ensuring no heating elements are covered.
Allow to sit for 10–12 hours or overnight.
- Scrape and wipe
Remove softened debris with a plastic scraper.
- Spot clean tough stains
The remaining spots can be cleaned using Bar Keepers Friend or The Pink Stuff.
Effective Oven Cleaning Tricks
Although many tricks do not work, these will ensure remarkable results:
- • Steam cleaning: Put a heatproof bowl with vinegar + water. Heat to 200°C for 30 mins. Allow steam to work on the grease-dirt mix.
- Lemon method: Using lemon halves as a natural grease cutter while being heated in water.
- Plastic wrap trick: Using chemical sprays can be made into a more effective process by wrapping them in plastic strips and leaving them overnight. This prevents drying.
Avoid using razors and metal tools as they would scratch your oven’s enamel coating, ruining its look.
Cleaning the Oven Racks Properly
Racks usually don’t get attention while cleaning the oven, but cleaning them is important.
Here’s how to do it:
- Take the racks off and place them to soak in a tub
- Soak with hot water, a generous amount of dish soap, and a splash of white vinegar
- Gently scrub with a soft brush or sponge
- Rinse until no soap remains and dry completely before returning.
Baking soda will also help out while providing a tablespoon of it, which greatly helps out in fighting grime.
Removing Stubborn Stains from Oven Door Glass
This part usually gets checked the most out of all.
Use a paste of baking soda, or The Pink Stuff, rub on the glass, then gently scrub in circles with a microfiber cloth.
If not working, then do the following:
- Use non-scratch plastic scrapers.
- Spritz with white vinegar for a streak-free shine finish.
Do not spray directly onto vents and controls, as this can cause damage.
Minimising and Containing Spills in the Oven
Want to avoid doing this more often than you’d like?
Here’s how:
- Position trays beneath roasting pans to capture drippings
- Cover food with oven-safe lids or foil
- Buy oven-safe silicone mats (reusable and safe)
- Brush off minor spills when the oven is cool
This helps to slash the amount of cleaning required as well as the grease and grime buildup.
Conclusion
Oven cleaning isn’t just for show—it’s essential for getting your full bond back and maintaining a hygienic kitchen. By tackling grease, grime, and stains properly, you save yourself stress during move-out. Whether you DIY with baking soda or find the top-rated end of lease cleaning in Melbourne, a clean oven speaks volumes to landlords. Don’t leave it to chance—clean smart, clean deep, and consider expert help if it feels overwhelming.
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