Quick answer
Make a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water, spread it over cooled glass, leave for 15–30 minutes, then scrub with a non-scratch pad and rinse.
Remove baked-on grease and brown film from oven door glass with a bicarbonate-of-soda paste and safe technique.
What you’ll need
- Basic supplies
Step by step
- 1
Cool the oven and remove loose debris
Switch the oven off at the wall and let it cool completely. Open the door and wipe away any loose crumbs or ash with a damp cloth so they do not scratch the glass during cleaning.
- 2
Apply bicarbonate-of-soda paste
Mix three parts bicarbonate of soda with one part warm water to form a spreadable paste. Spread a thin, even layer over the greasy glass with your fingers or a soft cloth.
- 3
Let the paste dwell
Leave the paste to sit for 15–30 minutes. This dwell time breaks down baked-on carbon and lifts grease without harsh scrubbing.
- 4
Scrub with a non-scratch pad
Wipe the paste away with a damp cloth, then scrub any remaining residue with a non-scratch pad. Use circular motions and rinse the pad frequently.
- 5
Tackle stubborn spots with a glass scraper
For burnt-on spots that remain, hold a glass-safe scraper at a shallow angle to the glass and scrape gently. Do not use the scraper on a pyrolytic or self-cleaning coating.
- 6
Clean between the panes if accessible
If brown film sits between the glass panes, check your oven manual. Some doors open by removing screws along the top edge. Removing the door may void your warranty, so follow the manufacturer guide exactly.
- 7
Dry and buff the glass
Wipe the glass with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue, then buff dry with a microfibre cloth for a clear, streak-free finish.
Common mistakes
- Scrubbing the paste off immediately instead of letting it dwell for 15–30 minutes.
- Using abrasive scouring pads or oven-cleaner spray on a self-cleaning or pyrolytic coating, which damages the surface.
- Forcing the door apart on a model that is not designed to be opened, risking breakage or voiding the warranty.
Frequently asked
How do I clean between the two panes of glass?
Some oven doors have screws along the top or side that let you lift the inner glass panel out. Check your oven manual first, work on a cooled oven, and note that disassembly may void your warranty. If the door is not designed to open, you cannot safely reach between the panes.
Can I use oven cleaner spray on the glass?
Standard oven-cleaner sprays can damage pyrolytic or self-cleaning coatings and may etch certain glass types. Use a bicarbonate-of-soda paste instead. It is cheap, fume-free, and safe for most oven doors.
Why is bicarbonate of soda better than scrubbing harder?
Bicarbonate of soda is mildly alkaline. When left to dwell, it softens baked-on carbon and grease so it wipes away with gentle scrubbing. Hard scrubbing with an abrasive pad scratches glass and often fails to shift the film.
Is it safe to use a razor scraper on oven glass?
A glass-safe scraper used at a shallow angle can remove stubborn burnt spots without scratching standard oven glass. Never use it on a pyrolytic coating, textured surface, or if the manufacturer forbids it.
My oven is self-cleaning (pyrolytic) — do I clean the glass differently?
Yes. Run the pyrolytic cycle to burn off residue, then wipe the ash with a damp cloth. Do not use chemical sprays, abrasive pads, or scrapers on the coating, as they will damage it permanently.
