Use a Dishwasher Tablet to Make Your Oven Sparkle and Eliminate Grease Effortlessly
Cleaning the oven is often seen as a tedious job most people put off until they absolutely have to. That’s hardly a shock — it takes determination, elbow grease and time, unless you reach for a commercial oven cleaner. Those products can be harsh and give off unpleasant fumes. To make the chore less gruelling, many look for handy hacks. One clever trick is to use dishwasher tablets, which combine cleaning and degreasing power and can tackle everything from racks to greasy glass.
Safety tips for cleaning your oven properly
Before you try this method, check the tablet packaging carefully. Don’t use tablets that contain chlorine bleach (bleach with chlorine), as they can release toxic fumes during cleaning or when you next use the oven. Bleach can also react dangerously with other cleaners such as those containing ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, or acids like vinegar.
Like some commercial oven cleaners that can emit harmful fumes, make sure the room is well ventilated while you clean.
How often you should clean the oven
If you only bake occasionally, a deep clean once a season (about every three months) is recommended. If you use the oven regularly, a monthly clean will help prevent food and grease building up and dulling the interior. Between deep cleans, wiping up splashes after the oven has cooled will stop food from burning on and sticking. Leaving charred food inside the oven can produce irritating smoke each time you use it.
What you’ll need to clean with a dishwasher tablet
- rubber gloves
- dishwasher tablets
- a bowl of warm water
- microfibre cloths
- an old towel
- aluminium foil
- a plastic scraper
- a dustpan
How to clean the oven step by step
Start by removing and soaking the oven racks. Take the racks out, wrap each one in aluminium foil, and place them in the bottom of your bath (lined with an old towel) with enough hot water to cover them. Add a dishwasher tablet and leave to soak for two to three hours, as recommended by the manufacturer of Finish tablets (Finish is a dishwasher tablet brand).
Next, clear loose debris from the oven using a plastic scraper and a dustpan, or a vacuum. Put on your gloves and wipe the sides and base of the oven with a damp sponge or cloth. For stubborn marks, scrub with a dishwasher tablet that’s been soaked in a bowl of water to dissolve its coating, but not so much that it falls apart.
For the oven door glass, use another tablet to scrub until the stains come away, then wipe with a clean damp cloth until it’s clear. Don’t forget to clean the door edges with a soapy cloth and use the tablet again on any persistent stains.
After the rack soak, remove the foil and clean the racks with a sponge or clean cloth, rinse them with clean water and dry with a towel. Put the racks back in the oven and leave the door open to air dry.
Rethinking how you clean your oven can reveal simple tricks that make a dreary chore easier. By using this practical method, you can keep your oven spotless while reducing your exposure to aggressive chemicals, helping to maintain a healthier kitchen environment and avoid the hassles of traditional cleaning methods.