Harmful Mistakes To Avoid At All Costs When Cleaning A Glass Oven Door

No matter how much effort you put into cleaning, a grimy and greasy oven door will give your kitchen's appearance an instant downgrade. A dirty oven can also affect the flavor of your food and produce a burnt smell in your kitchen every time it is used. A spotless and streak-free oven door will not only make your kitchen appear tidier, but it will also increase the lifespan of your oven and reduce unnecessary fire hazards in your home. Cleaning the glass door is an essential part of oven maintenance, but it takes more than a quick spray of Windex to do the job right. It's important to know what to avoid when cleaning oven doors, and the most common mistakes are using harsh chemicals that can scratch and weaken the glass and scrubbing them with abrasive scouring tools like steel wool (some of the same mistakes often made when cleaning a glass-top stove). 

Thankfully, there are all kinds of cleaning hacks that will leave your oven doors sparkling. The key is to use the right combination of gentle yet effective tools to achieve a pristine and damage-free finish. Of course, one of the best ways to protect your oven doors is with preventative care. Your oven should be cleaned regularly to avoid grease buildup and stubborn messes. How often you clean your oven will depend on how regularly it's used. If you use your oven occasionally throughout the week, one deep clean every three months should be sufficient. However, if you use it daily, you may need to increase the frequency to once every few weeks.

Glass oven doors are resilient, but they are not immune to scratches, and they should be cleaned with the same level of care as other glass surfaces. Always ensure that your oven is off and completely cool before cleaning. To begin, give the glass pane a good wipe with a dry microfiber cloth to remove the top layer of debris. You may want to run the self-clean cycle as part of your oven cleaning routine, but before you do, be sure to remove any residue or stuck-on bits of food from the oven door to avoid permanently staining the glass. Apply gentle pressure when removing stubborn particles, especially if you're using a metal tool such as a scraper, to avoid accidental damage. If possible, use a plastic scraper instead.

The products you use to clean your glass oven doors are key to preserving their pristine, scratch-free surface. Abrasive cleaning tools like coarse steel wool, Scotch-Brite scouring pads, and store-bought products containing bleach or ammonia should be avoided as they are too harsh and may leave scratch marks. Instead, use glass cleaner or white vinegar with a microfiber cloth, soft sponge, or ultra-fine steel wool pad. If the glass is extra-grimy, use baking soda to achieve a deeper clean by creating a paste with water and allowing it to set for 20 minutes or longer. Wipe it clean using gentle circular motions. (Just don't use baking soda if your glass is tinted, as it can damage the tint.) For added shine, buff the glass with a dry microfiber cloth or wipe it down with vinegar diluted in water.