Can You Use Windex To Clean Your Oven In A Pinch?

Windex is a multi-purpose wonder in the home. The various versions of Windex for sale mean you can use this popular cleaning solution to scrub up a variety of spaces, from the bathroom to the kitchen. While Windex is great for windows, faucets, sinks, and other items, is it possible that you can use it to clean your oven if you don't have anything else? Yes, you can use Windex to clean your oven in a pinch; however, you should be careful with where you apply it and how you use it.

When cleaning any appliance, you should always check the manufacturer's website and owner's manual for any recommended products, guidelines, and lists of items to avoid. When you use it to clean your oven, you should use the Vinegar Glass Cleaner and do so with care. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you should only use Windex to clean certain areas of the oven, namely, the glass. If your range is in need of a good scrub, here's the best way to get the glass sparkling with Windex.

When it comes to oven glass, Windex recommends their Vinegar Glass Cleaner. It's rated safe for oven glass. The vinegar's acidity breaks down tough grease and grime, letting you wipe it away with ease. Before you start, make sure your oven is off then remove the racks. If they're dirty, you can clean them in a variety of ways, be it with a baking soda-and-vinegar combo, dish soap, or with another method. Next, clean up any crumbs and debris from inside the oven door so you aren't scattering them on the floor while you clean. Finally, spray the glass directly, let sit for one minute, then wipe away.

For particularly grimy oven doors, you might want to let the solution sit for five minutes to penetrate through the grease, then wipe away with a soft microfiber cloth. Be mindful of how you spray the Windex. Take care you don't get any on the heating elements, aka the coils, and wipe away it immediately with a paper towel if so. If you have natural stone countertops, such as granite or marble, you should keep your spray concentrated only on the oven door, as Windex can potentially damage your countertops. You might clean your oven glass only to see that the view inside your oven is still grimy and foggy. In that case, it's time to use Windex to clean the glass inside your oven.

The glass panel between your oven door can also contain buildup and debris. Cleaning the glass inside the oven door is easy, and here, you can also use Windex. You'll need to look for your manufacturer's instructions on cleaning this area as some oven models have disassembly instructions to easily remove the glass. If you can't find any guidelines, you can use your favorite cleaner sprayed on a microfiber cloth. From there, you can use a wire hanger to thread the cloth through underneath the glass, moving the material back and forth for a robust clean. 

While you may be tempted to use the self-cleaning function on your oven to clean every element, you should err with caution. There can be dangers associated with using the self-cleaning feature, including the risk of damaging your oven with the extreme heat it requires. If you feel like Windex just can't cut through the glass' buildup, Lake Appliance Repair suggests using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to scrub away the tough spots, and home blogger Polished Habit agrees, advising you to work in small spots rather than swiping back and forth.