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These top three oven cleaners help you turn a dreaded chore into a job well done.

Easy-Off Fresh Scent Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner on an orange patterned background

Credit:Better Homes & Gardens

Oven cleaners are notorious for leaving behind an intense chemical smell wafting through your home.

With these three cleaners, it’s possible for you to easily cross oven upkeep off yourhousehold cleaning schedule.

This oven cleaner also dissolves stubborn grease and burnt-on stains, but it requires slightly different program methods.

Easy-Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner

Credit: Amazon

Preheat the oven to 200F andturn it offbefore spraying from a foot away.

Cleaning Time

This product will require more soaking time in a cooler oven compared to a preheated appliance.

The warm oven method offers an overall deeper clean while cutting down on tool and scrubbing time.

Scrub Daddy PowerPaste

Credit: Target

However, I recommend leaving the oven cleaner on for at least five minutes.

This allows the formula to fully activate and limits the number of applications necessary for a proper clean.

The wait time necessary depends on the level of grime coating your oven.

A before and after of an oven that has been cleaned using Scrub Daddy PowerPaste

Credit: Better Homes & Gardens

Scent

Many heavy-duty cleaners give off an overwhelming chemical smell that can linger for hours.

While the smell is noticeable, its also very tolerable and will dissipate in a well-ventilated space relatively quickly.

As a result, it could take a bit more time to clean tough stains.

Closeup of the Scrub Daddy PowerPaste and it’s container

Scrub Daddy productshave gone viral on TikTok, andwe love them just as muchas the internet does.

Their simple, yet effective cleaning tools and products are easy to use, affordable, and effective.

Applying Scrub Daddy PowerPaste is simple, safe, and relatively mess free.

The bottom of an over after using the Scrub Daddy PowerPaste

Unlike liquid sprays, the clay-cased cleaner activates with just water.

Apply the lathered sponge directly onto the ovens interior.

That, plus the pastes natural grit, helps tackle oven cleaning without scratching surfaces.

The glass of an oven showing how clean it is after using the Scrub Daddy PowerPaste

That being said, it still delivers impressive results without lengthy wait times.

For lighter cleaning jobs, a single pass with the foamy lather is often enough to remove debris.

Then, scrub and wipe away the residue with a damp cloth or sponge.

A before and after of an oven that has been cleaned using Scrub Daddy PowerPaste

Unlike many chemical-based cleaners, Scrub Daddy PowerPaste is virtually odorless.

This makes it ideal for those with sensitive noses.

Its minimal scent comes from natural ingredients, leaving behind a neutral, light citrus scent.

Closeup of the Scrub Daddy PowerPaste and it’s container

This limits trips to the sink so you might maintain the moisture levels necessary for creating the cleaning paste.

It has a no-drip gel formula that clings to surfaces, offering targeted cleaning for especially difficult stains.

While highly effective at removing tough messes, its performance comes at a higher cost compared to other cleaners.

The bottom of an over after using the Scrub Daddy PowerPaste

Rather than a standard liquid spray, Carbona oven cleaner releases a gel that adheres easily to grime.

The thick consistency allows the product to stay where you spray for more precise software.

Carbona oven cleaner spray is quick to act and highly effective.

The glass of an oven showing how clean it is after using the Scrub Daddy PowerPaste

Like the other options, different messes require different cleaning times.

For minimal spot cleaning, let the product sit for about 20 minutes before wiping it away.

Deeper cleaning requires extending the wait time to about 40 minutes for more thoroughremoval of greaseand grime.

Carbona Oven Cleaner Spray

Credit: Walmart

With the right wait time, you’ve got the option to limit the time spent scrubbing.

Carbonas odor-free formula is also fume-free and offers powerful cleaning without leaving behind a chemical smell.

This helps ensure your kitchen retains a more neutral smell after cleanup.

Theres no residual burnt smell that sometimes comes with traditional oven cleaners during the ovens next use.

This will help pick up stuck-on spots with little effort on your part.

The most resilient grime could require a scrub sponge or pad in combination with the spray.

This provides just enough abrasion without damaging the oven’s interior.

The Bottom Line

Easy-Off heavy duty oven cleanerexcels as the top choice for tackling a messy oven.

Your Questions, Answered

Can you use oven cleaner on a self-cleaning oven?

The self-cleaning oven function is a hot topicin the home appliance space.

While it might seem like a good idea to use oven cleaner alongside theself-cleaning ovenfeature, its not recommended.

The purpose of the self-cleaning function is to reduce everything to ashes, Varela says.

Oven cleaners are extremely abrasive chemicals and should not be in contact with high temperatures.

Besides, you’re wasting product, time, and energy.

In my opinion, it’s either one or the other."

Some even warn about the self-heating function damaging an older oven.

I have found that a good self-cleaner (and maybe a little elbow grease) is a great alternative.

Is oven cleaner safe to use?

“The short answer is: Yes, oven cleaner is safe to use,” Varela says.

“But you do need to take some precautions.

see to it there’s proper airflow in your kitchen and wear gloves, a mask, and goggles.

If possible, use a fume-free oven cleaner.”

If the fumes are strong, consideradding an air purifierto your kitchen while you clean.

What should you not use to clean an oven?

Varela shares his insights on the limitations of common household remedies and more practical alternatives.

Never mix bleach with vinegar or bleach with ammonia, he cautions.

The best option for DIY cleaners is soapy water with baking soda, but it won’t work miracles.

Who We Are

Sydney Vrbanis a writer with six years of experience.

After working remotely for many years, she knows the importance of maintaining and loving your home.