5 Oven Cleaning Tips to Get Ready for Turkey Day🦃

LemonFresh
Sep 7
3 min read

Cleaning your oven before the holidays! — Cleaning your oven before Turkey day!

Because nobody wants the fire alarm stealing the spotlight at Thanksgiving dinner!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and that means one thing: turkey, stuffing, pies, and ALL the fixings! 🥧 But before you load up your oven for the big day, now’s the time to give it some TLC.

After all, the only thing you want roasting on Turkey Day is the turkey — not last month’s lasagna drippings setting off the smoke alarm while guests arrive.

Here are five simple tips to give some efficient sparkle to your oven cleaning routine:

1. Plan Ahead & Pick Your Moment 🗓️

Timing is everything. Choose a day when the family is out of the house — maybe a trip to the park, hockey rink, or grocery store. That way, you can spray the oven right before heading out and avoid breathing in any fumes while it works its magic.

Pro Tip: Be prepared to repeat the process 2–3 times if your oven has a lot of baked-on mess. The earlier you start, the fresher and cleaner it’ll be by the time the turkey goes in.

2. Have Your Supplies Ready 🧤

Nothing slows down oven cleaning like hunting for gloves halfway through the job. Set yourself up for success by gathering everything before you start:

Cleaning gloves
Oven cleaner of your choice
Paper towels (lots of them!)
Garbage bag for greasy wipes
Cleaning cloths for rinsing afterward
Hot, soapy water for the final wash-down

Having everything at your fingertips will make the job quicker, easier, and far less messy.

3. Spray the Inside — Racks and All 🫧

Leave the oven racks inside and spray the entire interior of the oven including the racks. This keeps the cleaner enclosed, allowing it to work more effectively and preventing fumes from filling the rest of the kitchen. (You may need to remove a rack to begin spraying the inside of oven but simply replace the rack once the oven is covered and spray the racks.)

When it's time to wash the racks, place them in a sink of hot, soapy water. Scrub down the racks, rinse and dry.

Pro Tip: Always follow the instructions on your cleaner for the recommended spray time. Let the product do the heavy lifting for you!

4. Wipe Out ALL the Grease & Cleaner 🧽

When it’s time to clean up, don’t use your good cleaning cloths — they’ll never recover.

Instead:

Use plenty of paper towels to wipe out all visible grease, grime, and cleaner
Keep going until the oven looks as clean and dry as possible before rinsing
Toss everything straight into the garbage bag to keep the mess contained

This step saves your cleaning cloths for the final rinse and prevents smearing grease around.

5. Rinse Until It Sparkles 💧

This step is critical for both safety and taste. Fill a small sink or bucket with hot, soapy water and use a clean cloth to thoroughly rinse the inside of the oven until all streaks, residue, and cleaner are gone.

Why it matters:

Prevents chemical smells from lingering
Keeps your turkey and pies tasting the way they should
Leaves your oven fresh and ready for action (the oven cleaner will leave white streaks if not rinsed out.)

✨ Final Tip Before You Get To It

Once your oven is clean and dry, turn it on for a short bake cycle with nothing inside. This burns off any lingering cleaner and ensures your turkey, stuffing, and pies taste exactly how they should — deliciously perfect.