Written by Angela Reviewed by Daniel

I Cleaned My Oven Door With This Pantry Staple – Now It’s Crystal Clear

Oven doors take a beating. From splattered roasts to baked on grease, it doesn’t take long before the glass becomes cloudy, stained and downright grim.

You can wipe and scrub all you like, but that stubborn grime just doesn’t shift or so I thought.

I recently tried a simple cleaning method using a basic item from my kitchen cupboard and the results honestly shocked me.

I didn’t need any fancy sprays, rubber gloves or elbow aching scrubbing. Just one pantry staple made my oven door look brand new.

Here’s exactly what I used, how I did it and why it works so well.

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The Pantry Staple That Did The Job

You’ve probably got it in your kitchen already. The magic ingredient? Bicarbonate of soda.

This everyday household item, often used in baking, has natural abrasive properties and works wonders on grease, grime and even burnt on residue.

Unlike harsh chemical cleaners, bicarbonate of soda is gentle on surfaces but tough on stains, which makes it ideal for glass oven doors.

It’s also affordable, non toxic and safe to use around children and pets which is especially helpful in busy family homes.

Why Bicarbonate Of Soda Works So Well

When you heat food in the oven, grease splatters and vapours collect on the inside of the door. Over time, this builds into a thick, sticky layer that sticks to the glass.

Standard sprays can’t break through it and scrubbing with steel wool can damage the surface.

Bicarbonate of soda works in a different way. It acts like a mild abrasive, breaking down tough grease without scratching the glass.

When you mix it with water to form a paste, it clings to the surface long enough to lift stains and residue, all without hard scrubbing.

And the best part? There’s no harsh chemical smell. Just a clean, fresh oven door at the end of it.

How I Cleaned My Oven Door Step By Step

If you’ve got 20 minutes and a bit of patience, this method is well worth a try. Here’s how I did it:

I mixed half a cup of bicarbonate of soda with a few tablespoons of warm water until it formed a thick paste.
I spread the paste across the inside of the oven door glass, covering the cloudy patches and baked on grime.
I let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. During this time, the paste softened the grease and stains.
Using a soft sponge, I gently wiped the paste away, along with the loosened dirt.
I rinsed the glass with clean warm water and buffed it dry with a microfibre cloth.

The result? A shiny, streak free oven door that looked as if it had just been installed.

Tips To Get A Streak Free Shine On Oven Glass

To make sure you get the same sparkling finish, here are a few things I learned along the way:

Avoid using anything too abrasive, like wire scrubbers or rough scouring pads. These can scratch the glass permanently.
If the grime is really thick, leave the paste on for longer, up to 40 minutes.
For tricky corners, use an old toothbrush dipped in the paste to reach along the edges.
Don’t forget the other side of the glass, especially if you have a removable door. Many oven doors can be taken apart by unscrewing the top section, letting you clean between the glass panels.
Cleaning both sides makes a huge difference to the final look.

How Often Should You Clean Your Oven Door?

In most UK homes, ovens are used several times a week, if not daily. That means residue builds up quickly, especially if you’re roasting meat, baking casseroles or grilling with oil.

To keep your oven glass clear, aim to do a deep clean every two to three months or more often if you spot heavy build up.

A quick wipe after spills can also help prevent long term stains from forming.

And because bicarbonate of soda is so gentle, you can use it regularly without wearing down the surface or leaving behind harsh smells.

Can You Use Bicarbonate Of Soda To Clean The Whole Oven?

black and grey granite kitchen counter top

Yes, it’s not just great for glass. Bicarbonate of soda can be used to clean oven racks and trays, the inside of the oven cavity, door handles, knobs and control panels (with care and a lightly damp cloth).

Just avoid electrical components and always switch the oven off before cleaning.

If you’re dealing with really burnt on spills inside the oven, you can boost your bicarbonate mixture by adding a splash of white vinegar.

The fizzy reaction helps lift stubborn grime without any toxic chemicals.

The Easiest Way To Get Your Oven Door Crystal Clear

There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing through your oven door again. I’d spent months ignoring the greasy film on mine, thinking it would be a nightmare to clean.

But with just a little bicarbonate of soda and hardly any effort, I brought it back to life and didn’t need to splash out on pricey products.

If your oven door is looking worse for wear, give this pantry staple a try. It’s cheap, chemical free and genuinely gets the job done.

Sometimes, the best solutions are the ones already sitting in your cupboard.

Know Someone Who Hates Cleaning Their Oven? Show Them This!

This clever little tip saves time and effort, and the results are amazing. Share it on social media and help others discover how one everyday item can leave their oven door crystal clear.

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