Scrubbing an oven is one of those chores many of us push to the bottom of the list. It’s messy, time-consuming, and often involves strong chemical cleaners that leave behind fumes no one wants in their kitchen. That’s why more and more people are turning to clever shortcuts to make the job easier — and one of the most surprising solutions involves a product you already have in your home: dishwasher tablets.
These compact cleaning blocks combine abrasive power with grease-cutting ingredients, making them a surprisingly effective all-in-one tool for tackling stubborn oven grime. Here’s how to use them to clean everything — from the racks to the glass door — without harsh chemicals.
Before You Begin: A Few Precautions
Before grabbing a tablet and diving in, take a moment to check the ingredient list. Avoid tablets that contain chlorine bleach, as they can release dangerous fumes inside the oven or react negatively with other common cleaners such as vinegar, ammonia, or hydrogen peroxide. Stick to non-bleach formulas for safe, effective cleaning.
How Often Should You Clean Your Oven?
The frequency depends on your cooking habits:
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Occasional use: once every three months is generally enough.
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Regular bakers or daily cooks: aim for a monthly clean to prevent grease, burnt-on food, and staining.
Between cleanings, always wipe up spills after the oven cools. Burnt food repeatedly reheating during cooking can create smoke and irritate the lungs.
What You’ll Need
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Rubber cleaning gloves
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Dishwasher tablets (non-bleach)
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Warm water in a small bowl
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Microfiber cloths
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An old towel
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Aluminum foil
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Plastic scraper
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Dustpan or vacuum
How to Clean an Oven Using a Dishwasher Tablet
1. Remove the Racks and Soak Them
Start by lining the bottom of your bathtub with an old towel to protect the surface. Take out the oven racks and wrap each one in aluminum foil. Place them in the tub, fill it with hot water until they’re fully submerged, and drop in a dishwasher tablet.
Let everything soak for 2–3 hours. The tablet will break down grease and baked-on residue with almost no effort on your part.
2. Clear Out Loose Debris
Before cleaning the interior, remove crumbs, flakes, and burnt pieces. A plastic scraper works well for lifting debris. Sweep everything into a dustpan, or use a vacuum to pick up the small bits.
3. Scrub the Inside of the Oven
Put on your gloves.
Dampen a sponge or cloth and give the inside of the oven a quick wipe-down. Then take a dishwasher tablet, dip it briefly in warm water to soften the outer coating, and use it like a handheld scrubber.
Rub the tablet directly onto stains in small circular motions. It will slowly dissolve as you clean, releasing a mix of detergent and gentle abrasive particles.
Once the grime is lifted, wipe the entire interior with a clean, damp cloth to remove any soapy residue.
4. Make the Oven Door Shine
Use a fresh tablet to tackle the glass panel. Glide it over the stains until the glass becomes clear again.
Finish by wiping the door with a damp microfiber cloth.
Don’t forget the door edges — scrub any stubborn spots using the tablet and rinse afterward.
5. Rinse and Reinstall the Racks
After soaking, unwrap the racks. Most of the grime will slide off easily.
Wipe them with a clean cloth, rinse thoroughly, and dry them with a towel.
Place them back inside the oven and leave the door open for a few minutes so everything dries completely.
