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Splattered grease and bits of stuck-on food can cloud the glass of your oven window. This residue is not only unsightly, but it can also affect the performance and longevity of your appliance. To get rid of the accumulated grime, learn how to clean oven glass effectively—even the space between the glass panes—and discover some tips for keeping all oven door glass surfaces clean.
How to Clean the Inside of Oven Door Glass
It’s a good idea to clean the inside of your oven, including the glass door, every 3 to 6 months, or whenever you notice a film on the oven door glass. The more often you tackle the inside and outside glass, the less scrubbing it should need. If your oven has a self-clean function, before starting a thorough cleaning of the oven glass, run the self-cleaning mode, let it cool completely, and then wipe off the residue. Steam-cleaning the oven first is another option that can soften grime and stains before cleaning the oven glass.
Get rid of any remaining brown stains or baked-on grime by following the steps below to clean a glass oven door on the inside, always choosing cleaning products with care to ensure they are safe and nonabrasive.
SUPPLIES
Old towel or drop cloth
Handheld vacuum
Microfiber cloths
Baking soda
Glass bowl
Vinegar, lemon juice, dish soap as needed
Commercial oven cleaner (optional)
Spray bottle
Plastic scraper or razor blade scraper
Step 1: Cool the oven and lay down a towel or drop cloth.
Make sure the oven is turned off, let it cool, and place a towel or drop cloth under the work area. You can clean oven glass without disassembling the door, but use caution when scrubbing and support the open door as needed.
Step 2: Open the door and remove debris.
Open the door all the way and remove any loose bits of food. As you work, pay special attention to the area where the oven glass meets the door. A handheld vacuum can draw crumbs out of the seam, but a moistened cloth also works fine. Be gentle around seams, seals, and gaskets.
Step 3: Mix and apply the oven cleaner.
The easiest way to clean oven glass is with a baking soda paste. In a glass bowl, combine ½ to 1 cup of baking soda with just enough water to form a thick, shaving cream-like paste. Spread the paste evenly over the oven glass, adding a bit more water for even coverage, if necessary. Let the paste sit for at least 15 minutes.
Alternatives and additions to baking soda include:
- A mix of 1 part water to 1 part distilled white vinegar, sprayed on for a light cleaning. This mixture also comes in handy to activate baking soda or to shine the finish at the end.
- Grease-cutting dish soap and water, which is also safe to use as you wipe off the baking soda.
- Commercial oven cleaner that is safe for glass and the interior. Spray lightly and let it sit according to the directions on the label. (Note that manufacturers generally advise not using commercial oven cleaners on self-cleaning models.)
Step 4: Wipe the glass with a clean microfiber cloth.
After the paste has loosened the grime, wipe the glass using a clean, damp microfiber cloth (or any rag, as long as it’s clean and nonabrasive). Rinse the glass by spraying on water or a mix of water and vinegar, and then wipe the surface dry to pick up residual baking soda. Avoid spraying the oven door gasket.
Step 5: Scrape away any remaining grime.
If burnt-on grease remains, use a plastic scraper or a glass-safe razor blade scraper to remove the hard stains. Spray problem spots and burn marks with water first to soften them, and hold the scraper at a low (45- to 75-degree) angle to avoid scratching the glass. Vacuum any remaining debris, or wipe it up with a cloth. Finally, wipe the door down once more with a clean, damp cloth.
Step 6: Wipe again and buff out streaks.
To make sure you remove all paste residue, spray the 1:1 solution of distilled white vinegar and water on the interior glass one more time before wiping and then buffing the glass with a clean, dry cloth. Again, avoid spraying the oven door gasket.
How to Clean Between Oven Door Glass Panes
Cleaning inside oven glass goes only so far if the area between the two panes is also full of grease and stains. Cleaning in between the panes requires more work and DIY skills, and some manufacturers discourage it because it typically involves removing the oven door or separating the door panels. To do this, you will probably need a second person to help remove and replace the door.
The extended step-by-step below requires that you remove the door, but there is an alternative that may enable you to clean oven glass without disassembling the door. Instead, you remove the drawer below the door to access the gap between the glass panes. This will not work on every oven, but if you are agile and have the right tools, you can try this method before proceeding to remove an oven door to clean between the glass panes.
To clean between panes without removing the oven door:
- Make sure the oven is turned off and cool.
- Close the oven door and remove the bottom drawer. Place an old towel on the floor.
- Get low enough on the floor to see up under the door. Look for a slot between the glass panes.
- Using soapy water or a water/vinegar mix, dampen a thin, flexible microfiber duster or a microfiber cloth held on to a yardstick with rubber bands, and then insert the cleaning tool into the slot. Trim the duster as needed to fit, and do not force the cleaning tool into the gap or corners.
- Wipe the entire glass surface, forcing the cleaning tool against the front and back panes. Take care not to damage seals or gaskets around the glass.
- Rinse or replace the cloth as needed and insert a dry cloth attached to the tool to dry and buff the oven window.
- Remove the tool and replace the drawer.
If this method will not work for your oven or fails to clean the oven glass, proceed to the steps below.
SUPPLIES
Towel or drop cloth
Screwdriver (check head type before beginning)
Allen wrench (for some oven models)
Handheld vacuum or attachment
Baking soda
Vinegar
Spray bottle
Microfiber cloths
Plastic scraper or razor blade scraper
Step 1: Turn the oven off and prep the area.
Make sure the oven is cool and lay down a towel or cloth to help catch drips and cushion the glass panels or door once removed.
Step 2: Open the oven and loosen the door’s screws.
Consult the owner’s manual before removing screws; some ovens have panels held together with screws that might allow you to remove one panel so you can access the glass while leaving the door intact. If you must remove the door, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and always support the door with your knee, a sturdy box, or a helper in case a panel drops or the door comes off. Inspect the door’s hinges and check the manual to determine how to remove the door and whether it has a locked latch. If it does, follow the instructions for unlocking the latch; this can often be done with an Allen wrench.
Typically, you must carefully raise the door to within several inches of its closed position (at about a 75-degree angle) and firmly grasp both sides of the door to lift and remove it from its hinges. Never grab the door by the handle during this step, and try to have a helper; oven doors can be heavy. Set the door on a sturdy surface covered with a towel or drop cloth with the inside pane facing up. Remove the screws above the window or base of the door that hold the two sides together. Lay out the two sides with their innermost surface facing up.
Step 3: Wipe or vacuum crumbs away.
Remove crumbs and other loose debris from the door panel and glass with a cloth, handheld vacuum, or soft attachment of a floor vacuum. Take care around glass or door gaskets and seals.
Step 4: Spread or spray cleaner on both sides of the glass.
Mix about ½ to 1 cup of baking soda with enough water to form a soft, shaving cream-like paste, or sprinkle baking soda on the door glass and spray it with a 1-1 solution of vinegar and water. Let the cleaner sit for up to 20 minutes.
If you are unable to separate the panes after removing the door or are uncomfortable doing so, you can clean between the glass using a cloth-wrapped yardstick or microfiber duster as outlined above, moistening the cloth as needed. It will be easier to reach into the gap with the door lying horizontally on a counter or other flat surface.
Step 5: Wipe down with a microfiber cloth.
Wipe each interior glass panel with a clean, damp microfiber cloth or nonabrasive pad. If stains remain, repeat the process with baking soda paste or attempt to scrape the stain off. Use a plastic scraper or razor blade scraper for glass and scrape carefully at a low angle.
Once the stains are gone, spray the glass with the vinegar and water solution and wipe off any remaining residue. Buff the glass with a clean rag or cloth to remove streaks and dry the surface.
Step 6: Screw the door back together and replace it.
Reassemble the door, first replacing the screws that hold the glass panels in place. Then reattach the door to the oven by holding it on both sides (ideally with help) at the same angle at which you removed it. Start on one side, inserting the hinge arm into its slot and making sure it is fully in place. Then repeat the process, inserting the hinge on the other side. Once the door is in position, carefully open it completely and slowly close it to ensure the hinges and frame are secure.
Tips for Cleaning Oven Glass
Maintaining a clean oven inside and out can minimize the time required for cleaning oven glass doors. If you have a self-cleaning feature on your oven, using it as recommended by the manufacturer can make the task of cleaning the inside glass easier. Fortunately, the outside glass on your oven door is much less difficult to keep clean. You can regularly remove light smudges with a glass cleaner or a natural DIY solution on a cooled oven. Other tips on how to clean oven door glass include:
- As with all kitchen appliances, preventing grime and brown stains from accumulating reduces the need for deep-cleaning. Wipe up spills promptly and regularly clean the inside glass of the cooled oven with a cloth or wet Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.
- Keep oven racks clean to help avoid drips and smoking when in use.
- Never try to clean oven glass when it’s hot.
- Use natural, safe products. A 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle will remove smudges and leave a clean shine on the outside window.
- A commercial glass cleaner or fireplace glass cleaner can also clean the outside oven glass, but be sure to use it according to directions.
- Baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap with water are safe to clean an oven window.
- If using a commercial oven cleaner, rub gently and be sure to follow the product’s instructions. Many manufacturers do not recommend them for self-cleaning ovens.
- Avoid abrasive scrubbers; use microfiber cloths, cotton rags, or soft-bristle brushes only.
- Never use a commercial product, such as those that clean cooker glass, on the stovetop or inside the oven without checking all precautions to ensure it is safe.
- When cleaning a heavily stained oven door, wrap it in a large plastic garbage bag to help the cleaning agent work before evaporating.
- If the gap between your oven door’s glass panes is dirty, removing the oven door gives you the best access to the interior panes. Remove the door only if you feel comfortable doing so, with help, and according to the manufacturer’s directions.
