What 3 Pro Cleaners Learned from Their Moms About Cleaning the Oven
I’ve learned so much about how to keep my house from my mother. Her example is why I scour the sink with a powdered cleanser nightly, put a wet paper towel over the emptied contents of the vacuum cleaner, practice “postage stamp vacuuming,” and always keep a cleaned-off kitchen table. In my work life, I’ve also learned so much from pros in the field, including how to make the most out of one rag, organize a linen closet, and arrange rooms.
I thought it would offer some helpful insight to combine these sources — having the experts share what they’ve learned from their own moms. So I asked some pro cleaners what they learned from their moms, specifically about how to clean ovens. Here’s what they shared:
Don’t Rely Too Much on Technology
“The best lesson my mother taught me about cleaning ovens is ‘Don’t let technology do all the work for you,’” says Chris Willatt of Alpine Maids. “The self-cleaning feature of the oven is a great feature, and you should use it when you don’t have time to really clean your oven.” However, he cautions that using it too often compromises the longevity of the oven. Instead, as his mother taught him, “Getting in there and cleaning with some elbow grease and some soap and water is the best way to really clean your oven. You can get to hard-to-reach places better and, most importantly, ensure your oven will work for a long time.”
Start with Household Cleaners
Ken Doty, COO and cleaning expert at The Maids, shares that his mother championed simple household cleaners over heavy-duty chemicals when it comes to cleaning the oven. “If you can handle the mess with household cleaning supplies over buying chemically heavy cleaning solutions, that should always be where you start,” he says. Doty’s mother’s preference for basic but effective cleaning supplies “over those expensive cleaners” extends to the entire household, but specifically applies to cleaning ovens. His mom taught him to use baking soda and vinegar to clean it.
Take Out the Racks First
“My mom used to tell me to take out the racks first,” says Rhonda Wilson of Fresh Space Cleaning. She adds that her mom would tell her to “get them out of the way” and then use a razor blade to deal with buildup inside the oven. “To make things easier, she’d have me grab the shop vac to suck up any loose gunk,” Wilson adds. Additionally, she shares that her mother taught her to “protect the flood” by laying down a towel in front of the oven to catch the mess created by cleaning it.
What oven-cleaning tricks did your mom teach you? Tell us in the comments.
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture
We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On, and Here’s What They Said
