How often should you clean your oven?

Most ovens need a thorough clean every three to six months, depending on how often you cook. If you roast weekly or bake a lot, aim for every three months.

Signs your oven needs cleaning

• Smoke or a burning smell when you preheat
• Dark, baked-on deposits on the floor of the oven
• Greasy door glass you cannot see through
• Food tasting of old smoke

Why it matters

Burnt-on grease smokes every time the oven heats up, which affects the taste of your food. A heavy layer of carbon can also make the oven work harder to reach temperature.

Between professional cleans

Wipe up spills once the oven has cooled, use a liner or tray under dishes that bubble over, and clean the door glass every few weeks with a soft cloth and warm soapy water.

Moving out?

The oven is one of the first things letting agents check. A professional oven clean before check-out is one of the simplest ways to protect your deposit.