Top 10 Best Oven Cleaning Products in the UK 2021 (Astonish, Mr Muscle and More)

Scrubbing an oven by hand can be a difficult and tiring task. It is for this reason that many look to chemical treatments that can offer a helping hand. The strength of these chemicals varies greatly, and in some cases, you might want to avoid them altogether, so we're going to show you how to get the best clean that still works for you. 

Different styles of cleaners will have varied approaches on how they work and what type of areas you can target. Some products' usage is limited to the interior of your oven, whereas others are much more versatile and are able to get rid of grease and dirt across your kitchen. 

There are some areas that you'd expect your oven cleaning product to work on, mainly the interior of your oven, but the use of these products often isn't limited to this appliance. 

There will be specific instructions for cleaning the racks or grills that usually sit inside the oven, but in addition to this, you can also look for cleaning products that can be used on your hob and in some cases even your barbecue. 

Not all oven cleaning products are versatile, however, so it's just as important to check where you shouldn't be using your oven cleaner as where you should. The first thing to note is that most of them shouldn't be used in self-cleaning ovens as these have their own methods to get them looking spick and span.

If you've checked that the oven itself is suitable for a certain product, it is also important to know that some can only be used inside ovens, so don't try to use it on other parts unless it is clear that it's OK to do so.

There are also specific surfaces that are out of bounds for some cleaners. The chemicals in these cleaners tend not to mix well with oven trim, aluminium and sometimes even glass – so be careful of oven doors. If a cleaner says it includes an abrasive, it shouldn't be used on non-stick surfaces. 

You are not limited on choices when it comes to how you want to apply your oven cleaner. Lots of products are sold as sprays, some of which can just be sprayed on and left while others require a bit of scrubbing with a cloth or sponge.

Other methods you may come across include brushes, which offer precise application, or there are those which just require you to cover the area you intend to clean with product using a cloth or sponge. 

In some instances, the best form of application will come with the product so you don't have to go out and buy anything extra, but this is not always the case. 

The length of time that a cleaning product needs to be left in your oven will depend in part on how dirty the oven is to begin with and therefore how much mess a cleaner needs to work through. 

Most oven cleaners will require that you leave them on for at least a few minutes, but some will suggest a few hours and others will even say overnight, so it is definitely worth planning ahead and checking that you're not going to need to use the oven anytime soon. 

While the majority of oven cleaners specify that they should be used in a cold oven, some will suggest that you heat the oven very gently in order for the product to be as effective as it can be. 

Be very careful, however, when cleaning a warm oven. Most products will only suggest you put your oven on at a low setting for a few minutes, just so there is a bit of heat, and you should never risk burns by putting your hand in a hot oven. 

All in all, buying a cleaner that requires a warm oven to work won't demand too much extra effort and you'll just need to take a bit of extra care. However, if you want the most hassle-free option, it may be best to go for a regular formula. 

Unfortunately, oven cleaning isn't a job that only needs to be done once. While it isn't the most regular of household jobs, it is recommended that you try and clean your oven every 3 months, so you will have to whip out that oven cleaner again before too long. 

When buying a oven cleaning product, you want it to last longer that just one clean, and the best way of doing this is checking the volume of liquid or the weight of a product. Some will even give a rough estimation of how many oven cleans you can squeeze out of one product. 

It tends to be the case that the more you get the longer it will last, but this theory isn't always applicable, especially if the cleaning method is a bit different. 

When working with oven cleaners, you are getting up close and personal with what can be very powerful chemicals. While these might work wonders on your dirty oven, they can be incredibly damaging to the skin, so it's important that you take all of the safety precautions necessary. This is made much easier when extras like gloves are included. 

Also aiding in the safe application of oven cleaner are tools like brushes, cloths and sponges that come with the product. The fact that they are sold alongside a chemical solution show that they are the best kit to use, and you'll save some time and money by not having to buy extras yourself.

Now you know what to look for, it's time to roll up those sleeves and let the cleaning commence. To help get you started, we've picked out our top 10 oven cleaners that you can buy online right now. Read on to discover your new must-have for a sparkling kitchen! 

Anything that makes cleaning less of a chore is always welcome in our eyes. Whether you need a sponge to use with your new oven cleaner or you're in need of a more efficient mop, we have a guide to the products that will make a spring clean something to look forward to. 

Busy lives can mean that cleaning the oven is a job that falls further and further down the to-do list. However, with the right product, there's no reason for it to be the arduous task you might believe it to be. Let one of these cleaners do the work as you get on with the rest of your day, and come back to find an oven that really does look as good as new. 

Author: Emma Cramp

Fortunately, it's getting much easier to find environmentally-friendly cleaning alternatives for the kitchen and home nowadays. 

If you're interested in finding out more, check out eco-expert Kate Bamber's top picks in our specialist article Top 10 Essentials for a Low-Waste Kitchen, which include this amazing refillable surface cleaner, plastic-free dish brushes and more. 

We also highly recommend giving her a follow on her Instagram at @my_plastic_free_home for all the best tips and tricks!