By Jennifer Noonan and Gretchen Heber | Updated Jun 10, 2022 1:29 PM

You know the story: After cooking a big meal—especially after doing so several times a week, for months—splattered grease and unidentifiable bits of stuck-on food end up clouding the glass of your oven window.

There’s no harm in allowing gunk to accumulate there for a while, but sooner or later you need to clean the oven glass, not only for appearance’s sake, but also to uphold the performance and longevity of your appliance.

Here’s the thing, though: Cleaning oven glass is rarely easy, especially if a lot of time has passed since you last made the effort. In fact, getting the glass truly spotless may be the toughest part of cleaning your oven, whether you have a conventional or convection model. Cleaning the glass can even be more difficult than cleaning the oven interior, especially if you’re fortunate enough to own a self-cleaning model (which, sadly, does little to clean the glass).

Even cleaning the oven racks can be much less of a chore, as there are methods for getting the job done that require relatively little exertion.

Compared with these other tasks, cleaning that brown-stained oven door glass is pretty labor intensive. The good news is that it’s uncomplicated work, and you probably already have all the supplies you need for the job. Follow along to learn the best way to clean a glass oven door.

After making sure the oven is off, open the door all the way and remove any loose bits of blackened food. As you work, pay special attention to the area where the oven glass meets the door. A handheld vacuum makes it easy to draw crumbs out of the seam here, but a moistened cloth works fine in a pinch.

Start by mixing baking soda and water into an effective, natural cleaning agent. In a small bowl, combine a half cup or a full 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 sit for at least 15 minutes.

Allow the paste sufficient time to work its grime-loosening magic, then proceed to wipe the glass using a clean, moistened microfiber cloth (or any rag, really, so long as it’s fresh). Next, rinse the glass thoroughly with water. Afterward, wipe the surface dry, taking care to pick up any residual baking soda.

Depending on the condition of the oven door when you started, you may have one more step to tackle. If, after you’ve applied and wiped away the paste, burnt-on grease stubbornly remains, use a razor blade to scrape it away—gently! Finish by vacuuming up debris (or wiping it up with a cloth), then wipe the door down once more with a clean, damp cloth.

In extreme cases—for example, if you’re living in a rental where the oven window hasn’t been cleaned in years—a natural cleaning paste may not pack enough power. To get the glass clean, you may have to opt for a more potent, store-bought, chemical-based oven cleaner, such as Rejuvenate Glass and Ceramic Cooktop and Oven Cleaner and Restorer or the ever-popular Easy-Off. If you go that route, be sure to follow the instructions on the product label. For most people though, the timeless combination of baking soda and water should leave the oven glass restored.

Show of hands: Who likes cleaning their oven? Right. Exactly no one. Still, it must be done, not only for appearance’s sake, but also to ensure the continued functionality of the oven. If you have to do it, you might as well do it quickly, efficiently, and effectively. With expert tips and careful guidance, we’ve offered step-by-step instructions for managing this unpleasant task, from preparation to cleanup, detailing the process and suggesting preferred products. Stick to these instructions and you, too, may soon see your reflection in your super-clean oven glass.

Do you have additional questions about cleaning oven door glass? While we’ve covered quite a bit of information, read on for a bit of a deeper dive when it comes to cleaning oven glass.

Start by spreading a baking-soda-and-water paste over the opened oven door. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then wipe it off completely. Use a razor blade to scrape off stubborn bits of baked-on grease. If grime remains, you may have to resort to a chemical cleaner. With a little elbow grease, you’ll soon have a clean oven window.

Oven cleaner is safe to use on oven window glass and will not harm it, but check the owner’s manual for your oven if you have doubts. (Many manufacturers discourage using commercial oven cleaners on the interior surfaces of self-cleaning ovens.) Always follow the instructions on the oven cleaner to ensure that you are using the product correctly.

How to clean between oven glass is a vexing problem. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to clean in between the glass panes of your oven door without taking it apart. Depending on how your oven is constructed, however, you may be able to remove the top edge of your oven door and use a yardstick covered in cloth to reach down and wipe this area. You may even be able to fit a cloth-covered yardstick through vents at the top or bottom edge of the door. But to do a really effective job, you’ll need to take the door apart.

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