Cleaning the oven can be one of the most tedious household chores, as no one likes having to scrub at a greasy surface for ages using a chemical-filled cleaner. However, Sophie Franklin, a cleaning expert from Maid 2 Match has shared a simple way to remove oven stains “more efficiently and easily” by using a dishwasher tablet. 

She said: “Dip a dishwasher tablet in some warm water so it’s just moist, then use it to scrub your oven – from the interior to the door. To clean oven racks or trays, soak them in hot water with dissolved dishwasher tablets.

“This hack is great since it minimises the supplies and effort needed to clean your oven. That takes a load off your plate – and keeps your kitchen dish-tinctly clean.”

Ovens tend to be difficult to keep clean as oil and food particles can spill off a tray and then become baked onto the surface to become a burned greasy mess.

However, dishwasher tablets have been designed to cut through tough grease stains on plates and the enzymes in the tablet will work just as well on ovens if you know what you are doing. 

It is important to only use pressed powder dishwasher tablets to clean the oven as they are mildly abrasive so will help clean away stuck on stains. 

This is a handy way to clean an oven if you have a dishwasher tablet in your kitchen as it means you will not be exposed to any cleaning fumes and will not scratch the oven surface.  

How to clean an oven with a dishwasher tablet 

Put on a pair of rubber gloves then fill a small basin with warm water. Then, collect any oven trays or racks and soak them in a sink filled with hot soapy water.

Dip the dishwasher tablet in the basin just enough to slightly dampen it. Do not submerge the dishwater tablet in the water otherwise it will crumble. 

Next, use the tablet to clean the oven. Lay the tablet flat on the oven surface and scrub it in a circular motion to get rid of any stains. If the tablet begins to dry out then dip it back into the warm water. 

Use a clean wet cloth to wipe away any residue and then use another fresh cloth to rinse the surface. Then, dry the oven, tray and racks thoroughly. 

This is an easy way to clean the oven but it should be noted that you should not leave any dishwasher residue inside the oven and then turn it on. 

Most dishwashers use hot water that is 60C or lower, and excessive heat can burn the dishwasher tablet residue into your oven and release cleaning chemicals you do not want near your food. 

If you make sure the oven is completely clean after using a dishwasher tablet then you will quickly remove stubborn grease stains without much effort.