How often should you clean your oven?

Your oven helps you prepare countless recipes for your family, and spills and splatters are bound to happen. Whether you have a wall oven or a range, your cleaning schedule may vary depending on several factors. Use this guide to learn how often you should clean your oven and pick up some oven cleaning tips.

Factors that may affect your oven cleaning schedule

How often you use your oven makes a difference in how often it needs to be cleaned. If you use the appliance multiple times a day or many days a week, you may need to clean it on a more regular basis than you would if you only use your oven for the occasional weeknight meal.

Your cooking habits may also play a part in how often your oven needs a clean. If you regularly cook bubbling casseroles or baste roasted meats inside your oven, splatters and stains are likely to build up on the racks and base of your oven over time. To reduce the need for more frequent deep cleanings, wipe up easy-to-reach spills while your oven is still slightly warm, but not hot.

Signs that your oven needs cleaning

A visibly messy oven cavity is an obvious indicator of an oven that needs cleaning, but there are a few other signs to look out for. Film on the oven door glass, strange smells and smoke while the oven is in use are all signs that the appliance needs to be cleaned.

Baked pasta and roasted vegetables inside a Whirlpool® oven

How often to clean your oven for regular use

The general guideline for oven maintenance recommends deep-cleaning your appliance every three months of regular use. However, spot-treating spills and splatters between deep-cleans can help reduce mess overall.

How often to clean your oven for heavy use

If your oven is cranking out multi-course meals almost every single day, you may need to give it a deep-clean more frequently than every three months. Heavy duty use can create grease and grime buildup inside your appliance, so deep-cleans every three weeks are recommended.

Person removing an oven rack from a Whirlpool® oven

Oven cleaning methods

There are several ways to get your oven fresh, clean and ready to prepare your next family dinner. Read on below to learn more about oven cleaning methods.

Person selecting a bake setting on a Whirlpool® oven

Self-cleaning ovens

Self-cleaning ovens use high temperatures to help remove grease and other food residue from your oven interior. Self-cleaning cycles use temperatures up to 800ºF that burn food build-up, so that all you need to do is wipe away the ash with a wet cloth once the cycle is complete.

Select Whirlpool^® wall ovens and ranges offer a Steam Clean Option that uses heat and water to loosen food residue so you can easily wipe it away. This can help you avoid smoke and odors that may result from a high heat cleaning cycle.

Person cleaning an oven with a white cloth

Manual cleaning methods

If your oven doesn’t offer a self-cleaning or steam clean cycle, you can still give your appliance a thorough clean. Chemical oven cleaners or baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice can be used to wipe down the interior and exterior of your oven.

Tips for keeping your oven clean

Keep your oven clean and ready to make your next meal with the following tips and tricks.

Wipe spills immediately: Once your oven interior has cooled to a safe-to-touch temperature, clean spills and splatters to help prevent burnt-on mess.
Regular maintenance: Keeping your oven clean by following the instructions in your user care guide can help prevent stuck-on food, foul odors and smoke while your oven is in use.
Keep stainless steel clean: Many ranges and wall ovens have stainless steel exteriors that have special maintenance instructions. Keep your oven exterior clean and polished to preserve the appearance of your appliance. Whirlpool brand recommends using affresh^® stainless steel brightener.¹
Avoid using foil as an oven liner: Though lining your oven with tin foil may seem like a simple way to prevent spills, it can actually alter the heat distribution inside your oven and lead to hot or cold spots in your recipes.
If you cook as a family, you can clean as a family: If you’re showing your little ones the ropes in the kitchen, try to include cleaning lessons after you cook together.

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