Do you have to clean the oven before moving, or can you skip this tedious task? Whether you’re a renter worried about getting your full deposit back or a homeowner trying to present your new home, here’s a simple oven cleaning process to save you money, stress, and potential disputes during an already hectic transition.
Do You Have to Clean an Oven Before Moving?
As part of your moving process, schedule 2-4 hours to clean the oven, depending on the amount of buildup. You’ll need basic supplies, such as sponges, rubber gloves, and your preferred cleaning agent. The key to a smooth oven-cleaning process is identifying your oven type first and tackling the toughest baked-on grime using either a natural or chemical cleaning agent.
For best results, start this project 2-3 days before your move-out date to allow time for overnight treatments that can break down stubborn residue while you sleep. Once you’ve tackled the oven and checked this task off your moving list, let our professional movers handle your bulky kitchen appliances and heavy furniture with care.
Oven Cleaning Tips for Moving Out
If you’ve never cleaned an electric, convection, or gas oven, it can be a confusing task. These steps can help make the job a lot easier. After cleaning, we’ll make your move smooth and stress-free so you can focus on the exciting part, which is settling into your new space.
1. Know If You Have a Continuous or a Self-Cleaning Oven
Before you begin cleaning, find out what type of oven you have. We’re not talking about just gas or electric. For decades, there have been a wide variety of ovens on the market. They include self-cleaning ovens, continuous cleaning ovens, convection ovens, and plain old regular cooking ovens.
- Self-cleaning ovens: You set it to cleaning mode, and the oven will use extreme heat or steam to loosen the built-up, baked-in food. While you’ll still need to clean out the mess, it will just take less elbow grease. You’ll also want to wipe out as much of the mess as possible before using the self-cleaning function.
- Continuous cleaning ovens: The idea behind these ovens is that each time you use the oven, you’re cleaning. This is possible because the textured surface helps to burn off residue. You simply need to use a damp washcloth to completely remove the buildup.
2. Prepare Your Cleaning Products
Gathering the necessary cleaning materials beforehand ensures an efficient, uninterrupted, and safe deep-cleaning for the oven.
- Preferred cleaning agent (baking soda or sodium bicarbonate, white vinegar, dish soap)
- Rubber gloves
- Soft brush
- Sponges or microfiber cloths
- Hot water
- Spray bottle or water bucket
- Large trash bag or towels (to protect the floor)
- Plastic scraper or old plastic spatula for gently scraping off hardened residue
3. Clean the Oven Racks and Clear Loose Debris
The initial steps of clearing debris and thoroughly cleaning the oven racks can tackle the heavy grease that can impede the whole process.
- Remove debris: Use a plastic scraper to clear loose, charred debris and food particles from the bottom of the oven cavity.
- Soak the racks: Place the oven racks in a bathtub or large sink, and cover them completely with water and a generous amount of soap mixture.
- Let it sit: Allow the racks to soak for a minimum of 120 minutes to break down the baked-on grease before scrubbing.
- Wipe down: Once the oven cavity has been treated with the cleaning solution, use a damp cloth to wipe away the loosened dirt and residue.
4. Apply Your Chosen Cleaning Solution and Do Some Elbow Grease
Many common cleaning supplies contain irritating or hazardous chemicals, like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), that can cause eye and throat irritation, headaches, and other health issues. However, these products offer powerful cleaning benefits when used properly and according to instructions to maximize efficacy and minimize personal harm.
Many people prefer to use natural cleaners instead of chemicals since food is prepared in ovens. There are options for getting your oven cleaned using natural cleaners or without using chemicals.
- Baking soda: Mix the sodium bicarbonate and water to a thick paste. Spread it, let it sit overnight, then scrub and remove the caked-on grime.
- Liquid detergent: Add the liquid detergent to water to soak the oven racks before you begin the main oven cleaning.
- Vinegar: After scraping the paste, spray the mixture to neutralize the remaining sodium bicarbonate and then wipe clean with a cloth.
- Ammonia: Place a small bowl of ammonia in the oven. Let it cool to loosen dirt and clean with a sponge or brush.
- Commercial oven cleaner: Spray the cleaner, like the Easy-Off Oven Cleaner, and let it sit as instructed. Don’t forget to wear gloves and a mask before you start to scrub the residue.
| Cleaning Product | Ratio | How Long | Best For |
| Baking soda | 1/2 cup of sodium bicarbonate to a few tablespoons of water | 12 hours or overnight | General, non-toxic, and mild-to-moderate grease buildup |
| Liquid detergent | 1/4 to 1/2 cup in enough water to cover the racks | 2 hours (soaking racks) | Pre-treating and soaking oven racks to loosen heavy grease |
| Vinegar | Undiluted or 1:1 with water | Used immediately after sodium bicarbonate | Neutralizing sodium bicarbonate residue and final shining/deodorizing |
| Ammonia | 1/2 cup in a bowl | Overnight | Heavily soiled oven walls and stubborn, carbonized grime |
| Commercial cleaner | As directed by the manufacturer (usually sprayed liberally) | 20 minutes to several hours (follow label) | Toughest, baked-on, carbonized black residue |
5. Wash and Dry Off the Appliance
This final step is important for removing residues and moisture. This prevents streaks, corrosion, and dangerous fumes when the oven is next used.
- Remove baking soda paste: Scrape off the bulk of the paste with a plastic tool. Spray the residue with vinegar to neutralize it before finally wiping it clean with a cloth.
- Rinse commercial cleaners: Wipe the oven walls repeatedly with clean rags or sponges dampened with plain water. Make sure that any chemical, slick, or foamy residue is completely and safely removed.
- Wipe down ammonia: After ventilating the area, use a sponge dipped in soapy water to wipe down the inside of the oven. Rinse again with a sponge dampened with only clean water.
- Clear residue completely: Rinse off cleaning agents, whether natural or commercial, from every surface. This prevents chemical reactions or strong odors when the oven is heated.
- Final drying: Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to thoroughly wipe down interior surfaces, including the glass, until they are completely free of moisture and ready for inspection.
Reasons to Clean the Oven Before Moving Out
While we don’t clean ovens, our professional movers can do a heck of a good job getting you packed up and moved into your next home. We can handle the moving, so you have time for the cleaning. Get motivated to do a move-out cleaning to simplify the moving process and leave your former house in the best possible condition.
1. Get Your Security Deposit Back
A spotless oven is often a mandatory requirement detailed in your lease agreement for a rental property. Failing to clean it thoroughly gives your landlord a legal reason to withhold a portion of your tenant’s security deposit for professional cleaning fees.
2. Maintain a Positive Landlord Reference for a Rental Property
Leaving the oven immaculate is an easy way to show respect for the property and leave on good terms with your landlord. A positive reference from your former landlord is a huge advantage when signing a lease at your new place.
3. Promote Hygiene and Safety
By deep cleaning the oven, you can eliminate old grease and carbonized food, which are significant fire hazards. Achieving this superior level of hygiene prevents lingering odors and provides a significant improvement in the oven’s immediate cleanliness for the next person who uses it.
4. Save Money on Cleaning
Professional cleaning services can be expensive, often costing more than the cleaning fees you’d be charged for from your full security deposit. Doing the work yourself is a simple way to control the budget and minimize moving expenses.
Related Questions
Can You Take Your Oven When You Move to Your New Home?
If you live in your own house, you can take your oven with you, as it’s your personal property. When you’re in a rental property, the answer depends on your agreement with the landlord. The appliance usually stays if it was provided on your lease, although if you purchased it, you can take it.
How Clean Does the Oven Need to Be When Moving Out?
The oven needs to be thoroughly cleaned back to the condition it was in when you first moved into the property, barring reasonable wear and tear. Particularly if you have a landlord, they will expect a high standard of cleanliness. Heavy grease and burnt food residues often result in a deduction from your security deposit.
Is a Dirty Oven Considered Normal Wear and Tear?
A dirty oven with grease or burnt food is generally not considered wear and tear but rather a lack of cleaning. Wear and tear refers to gradual deterioration from age or regular use, while a soiled oven is typically a maintenance issue that can be resolved by cleaning.
Do You Have to Burn Off Chemicals in a New Oven?
It’s highly recommended to run a proper “burn-in” cycle in a new home oven to eliminate manufacturing residue and accompanying smells before cooking any food. Check the manufacturer’s manual for instructions. This process normally involves running the empty oven at a high temperature, around 400 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, for an hour with good ventilation, followed by a wipe-down once cool.
Conclusion
Knowing the correct process, whether you’re bringing your own oven or leaving the appliance for the new tenants, lets you confidently plan for your new home and avoid last-minute panic. When you’re ready to move, Square Cow Movers can handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on settling into your next chapter.