Why WD-40 Is The Simplest Way To Clean Your Oven's Dirty Exterior

Although most people focus on the interior of the oven when doing a deep clean, don't forget to pay attention to the exterior, too. Greasy spots can plague this area, blocking the glass door and making your kitchen look dingy. These greasy spots are simply an inevitable occurrence when you are cooking, even if you don't spill anything directly on it. Fortunately, cleaning the exterior of the oven is quite a bit easier than the interior. You can even use WD-40 to take care of the outside of the oven safely and efficiently. As a powerful solvent, WD-40 has the ability to quickly break down sticky and greasy substances, meaning less work for you. Yet, because it won't harm substances like metals, plastics, rubber, and glass, it remains safe to use in a variety of situations for cleaning.

WD-40 even works well to successfully clean the outside of the oven glass when it's covered in grease, allowing you to see clearly when you are baking. Although you can select other methods of cleaning the glass, WD-40 is such a powerful degreaser and is so good at cleaning sticky residue that it could be your first selection when looking to eliminate especially tough soiling.

When you are ready to clean the metal on the exterior of the oven, you should wait for the appliance to cool (if you used it recently). If you notice any food spills or greasy leaks running down the side of the appliance, you can slide it away from the wall. Tip the oven slightly and place thick cardboard under the front legs to aid in sliding it without scratching the floor. Unplug the appliance and turn off the gas line if you have a gas stove, just so no one can bump a button and accidentally turn it on while you are cleaning.

Wipe away any crumbs or food residue that you can. Then spray the WD-40 onto the metal exterior of the oven and let it sit for two minutes. Use a microfiber cloth or a heavy-duty paper towel to wipe down the exterior. If you still have greasy sports after the first application, you can repeat it. Continue until the metal is shiny and clean.

Because WD-40 is a pressurized solvent inside the can, the can could burst if placed under or exposed to a source of heat. The solvent is flammable, meaning you should avoid using it anywhere where you may have an open flame, such as around a gas stove with an active pilot light. 

One drawback to cleaning the oven this way is that WD-40 creates a significant odor. While you can open up your windows and turn on a fan in order to ventilate your kitchens while using this cleaning method, be sure to try and avoid directly breathing the vapors or any mist that the spray creates, as this could be a health hazard, per WD-40. Ingesting WD-40 is dangerous to your health, so you should call a poison center if you accidentally swallow it. 

In other words, be very careful when using WD-40 in a kitchen. Remove all food in the area before you begin to spray it. If you have concerns over using a solvent like WD-40 or another type of commercial oven cleaner spray on your appliance, you may want to research some of the best ways to clean your oven naturally instead.