Welcome to Week 12 of The Deep Clean Challenge!
If you’re just joining us, here’s a quick recap of what we’ve accomplished so far in The Deep Clean Challenge:
- Cleared out clutter
- Deep cleaned the kitchen
- Organized the bedroom
- Scrubbed the bathroom
- Freshened up the living room
- Revitalized the dining area
- Cleaned the entryway
- Sorted out the refrigerator
- Streamlined our digital life
- Wiped away smudges
- Fixed at least one pesky issue
Now, you might be wondering, did we really go through this entire deep cleaning journey without addressing the oven? Absolutely not! Cleaning the oven is often a daunting task, especially for those who use it frequently. You’re not alone in this—many of us share the same trepidation.
At Home-Ec101.com, we adhere to the principle of “Know Better, Do Better”, which applies to all aspects of our lives, including the advice we offer. In the past, we may have suggested using the self-cleaning feature of your oven. However, our perspective on this has evolved over time.
If you own a self-cleaning oven, the decision to use this feature is ultimately yours. Appliance repair professionals frequently advise against utilizing this option. Why, you ask? The self-cleaning cycle heats the oven to extremely high temperatures, which can potentially damage critical components like the control board and thermostat. Replacing these parts can be quite expensive, and depending on the quality of your appliance, it might even be more economical to replace the entire unit rather than repair it. Our aim is to promote sustainability and help you avoid unnecessary expenses. Please use your best judgment when deciding whether to activate the self-cleaning cycle, and always refer to your operator’s manual if you choose to proceed. If you opt for self-cleaning, don’t forget to remove the racks and any large food debris from the bottom first to prevent any fire hazards. And, importantly, do not leave your home while the self-cleaning cycle is in progress.
Why Are We Cleaning the Oven, Range, and Microwave?
While we deep cleaned the kitchen ten weeks ago, we didn’t tackle the stove or oven at that time. The reason? Simple—time constraints. The purpose of The Deep Clean Challenge is to ensure that you don’t have to devote your entire day off to cleaning your home. We aim to spend no more than two hours focused on enhancing a specific area of your living space. So this week, we’re revisiting the kitchen to address what we missed.
What Tools Do We Need to Clean the Oven, Range, and Microwave?
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Distilled vinegar
- Sponge with a scrubby side (or a ScrubDaddy, which we love)
- Degreaser
- Trash bags
- A fan for ventilation if your kitchen isn’t well-ventilated
- Barkeepers Friend or
- Oven cleaner
- Gloves
- Paper towels or rags
- Elbow grease
- Optional – a scraper
How Do We Get Started Cleaning the Oven, Range, and Microwave?
Typically, we approach cleaning in a top-to-bottom, left-to-right, dry-to-wet manner. However, when it comes to cleaning the oven and range, I personally find it more effective to tackle the worst parts first. Gather your tools, muster your patience, put on your gloves, and let’s dive in!
How Long Should Cleaning the Oven, Range, and Microwave Take?
This task could take the full two hours, especially if you haven’t cleaned your oven in a while. Let’s get to work!
Note: If you decide to use the self-cleaning cycle on your oven and your range is part of the same appliance, make sure to clean the range top first. We wouldn’t want to heat up any chemicals you used for cleaning the range.
Regardless of how you choose to clean your oven, start by removing the racks, scraping off any loose debris, spraying the racks with oven cleaner, and sealing them in a trash bag. Place the bag in a well-ventilated area or outside where it won’t be in the way. The oven cleaner will get to work on the racks while you focus on other tasks.
Next, turn your attention to the range or stovetop. If you have an electric range with coils, remember that you can usually lift the top after removing the coils. This will allow you to clean spills and crumbs that may have accumulated underneath. Regularly cleaning this area can help prevent small grease fires from escalating. (Many people are unaware that the tops lift, and they can accumulate grease and crumbs over the years, creating a fire hazard.) Once the range is clean, move on to the oven. Be sure to follow the instructions on your oven cleaner’s label. If the area needs proper ventilation, please heed the warnings. We value our skin, sinuses, and lungs—let’s protect them! Use a fan, open a window, or turn on the vent hood.
You might have seen TikToks or Reels demonstrating how “easy” it is to disassemble your oven door for inside glass cleaning. Please consult your owner’s manual before attempting this. It may not be as straightforward to reassemble as it is to take apart. If you don’t have your manual, look for a metal rectangle with writing on it; this will contain your appliance’s model number. You can then search online for the manufacturer, model number, and owner’s manual, which is often available for download as a PDF.
If you have a gas range, pay special attention to the safety warnings related to your appliance and avoid spraying any chemicals near open flames. During any waiting periods you encounter, give your microwave a thorough cleaning by following the steam cleaning process until you’ve eliminated layers of stubborn residue. (Yes, that’s the technical term!)
Ready, set, go!
Bir yanıt yazın