There’s a mess cooking under there—here’s how to get it out
Cleaning under the stove is one of those jobs that (literally) slips between the cracks. You might see a graveyard of crumbs, macaroni, Monopoly money, and who knows what else under there, but there’s only so much you can get out with a yardstick. Luckily, getting it sparkling clean is easier than it seems—even without the help of a professional house cleaner near you.
If your oven has a removable bottom drawer, cleaning underneath it should be a piece of cake. Start by emptying out any cookie sheets, roaster pans, and any other miscellaneous items you have stored down there. Set these aside.
“After removing all items, make sure to wipe out the drawer as well,” said Asya Biddle, Angi Expert Review Board member and manager of The Dustbusters, a family-owned and operated janitorial company in Williamsport, PA.
Note: If your oven doesn’t have a removable bottom drawer, skip to step 10.
Once it’s empty, gently lift the drawer upwards as you pull it toward you. This should release it from the roller track, allowing you to remove it completely from the stove. Set the drawer aside.
If your oven has a warming drawer, shut off the power before attempting to remove it. After the power is off, pull the drawer completely out and locate the locking levers on either side. Push down on the left lever as you lift the right lever until the drawer releases. Remove it and set it aside.
Note: If this doesn’t work for your specific oven model, refer to the user manual for instructions.
After removing the drawers, you should have free access to the floor space underneath. If you spot any large chunks of food, trash, or long-lost game pieces, pick these up by hand and dispose of them.
Next, grab your vacuum for an ultra-satisfying pass to suck up dirt, crumbs, and dust. Don’t forget to hit the space between the back of the oven and the wall.
Once you tackle all the debris, spray the entire area with an all-purpose cleaner. Give it a few minutes to soak in and loosen any stuck-on grime.
"If the build-up under the stove is extensive, a homeowner may utilize a degreaser first by spraying down the area, letting it sit for a few minutes, and then wiping it up,” Biddle said. “You should then spray an all-purpose cleaner and wipe the area dry. This will effectively remove any grease, grime, small debris, and dirt that may be found under a stove."
To handle any leftover messes, fill a bucket with hot water and either dish soap or an all-purpose cleaner. Then, go to town with your scrub brush or wash rag until every surface is sparkling clean. Dip back into the clean water as needed.
After you clean the area, allow it to dry completely. To speed up the process, use a clean, dry towel. You can also clean out your oven or get your glass stovetop sparkling while waiting.
Once everything is clean and dry, reinstall the drawers you removed. Align the rollers back on the tracks and use gentle pressure to slide them back in. If needed, give these a good wipe-down before placing them back on the tracks.
If you don’t have drawers to remove, don’t sweat it—you can still clean the bottom of your oven. Grab each side and gently pull it back and forth until it’s out far enough for you to reach behind it. Don’t attempt to lift or tilt the oven, or you may have to call your local oven repair pro and pay for the cost of an oven repair.
Next, unplug the stove. If it’s a gas stove, turn the gas valve to the “off” position. If there’s no appliance shut-off valve, shut off the gas supply at your meter. Then, unscrew the gas line from the oven.
After you disconnect everything, grip both sides of the oven and slide it all the way out from the wall. You may need to wiggle it gently from side to side, but don’t tilt, rock, or force it out.
Just as you would for an oven with removable drawers, start by removing large chunks of food and debris. Then, vacuum up the rest and thoroughly wash and dry the area.
Once everything is sparkling and spotless, reattach the supply lines and turn them back on, if needed. Then, plug the oven back in and gently slide it back into place. You’re done! Bake a batch of celebratory cookies and enjoy some well-deserved chill time.
