The Secret Weapon You Need For Dazzlingly Clean Oven Doors

Keeping your kitchen clean is a lesson in both endurance and ingenuity. It not only requires daily clean-up but also scheduled sessions to deep clean your kitchen. On top of that, you may have to get creative to scrub away grease and grime in certain places, such as the oven door. Luckily, a handy magic eraser can help you get the job done with a minimum of effort.

Of course, magic erasers are effective on surfaces from walls to showers, but they're especially useful on areas that need a little extra attention. Oven doors can gather a lot of stuck-on food and grease, and the buildup may go unnoticed for a long time — generally, it's not an area you look at very often. Even if you're careful about spills, the high temperatures inside the oven cause any splatters and drippings to evaporate and condense on the cooler surface of the door. The resulting sticky film attracts dust and other airborne particles, creating a grimy layer.

Certain cooking methods, like grilling and broiling, generate more splatters and airborne grease compared to baking or simmering; it can be especially noticeable if you frequently cook with fatty meats or sauces. In addition, skipping regular cleaning allows the grime to build up, making it progressively harder to remove. The longer it sits, the more it bakes on, requiring more effort and stronger cleaning solutions to remove — which is why a regular clean with a magic eraser can make a such a big difference.

To get a sparkling clean on the inside of your oven door, grab a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Kitchen With Dawn, and be ready to use some elbow grease. First, wet the magic eraser and squeeze it out to get a lather going. For light splatters, a damp eraser swiped across the glass is usually all it takes. However, for most of us — especially those who cook a lot — there will probably be more grease and film baked onto the door that requires more than a simple swipe.

If this is the case with your door, apply some pressure and work in circles, as though you are giving your oven door a gentle massage. You may need to use more pressure and alternate between a wet and dry magic eraser to get all the gunk off. Tackling small spots as you go is more effective than scrubbing a large area, so rinse the eraser often to keep it clean and prevent spreading the grime. Once the door is clear, wipe all the soap residue off with clean water and do a quick final polish with a dry cloth. You probably won't need to save the magic eraser for the outside of the oven door — you can simply use a cloth with soap and water, or even glass cleaner and paper towels.

Once you've tackled a heavy grime build-up, you won't want to let it get to that point again. To best clean your kitchen and avoid another marathon scrubbing session, incorporate a light cleaning of the inside of your oven door every three months, which will remove grease and dirt before they have been baked on too many times to come off easily. Of course, if you cook a lot, you may want to pull out your magic eraser more often. It also pays off to wipe down the oven door with a wet microfiber cloth each time you cook, clearing away any visible splatters right away once the oven cools down.

Keep in mind that when you use a magic eraser, it already has foamy cleanser in it — which, as its instructions note, should never be mixed with bleach or other cleaners. While it may cut through tough grease, it can also irritate your skin, so be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands. When you've finished your cleaning session, make sure to wipe off all foam before using the oven again. You don't want to leave any chemicals on the surface that could contaminate your food the next time you cook — or ruin the finish on your newly spotless oven door.