WE TEST… oven cleaners
Things we considered: Is it effective? Is it easy to use? How strong is the smell?
Mr Muscle oven cleaner, £3.50, Wilko
This iconic brand is applied in a similar way to spray paint (which means no wrestling with a pump spray bottle) and is ideally left for 30 minutes before wiping. The cleaner smelt fairly strong – we found it best to ventilate the room. However, it didn’t linger once the oven had been cleaned. It took a bit of elbow grease to get some of the dirt off, and after two applications it still left behind some baked-on grease and grime, so it’s better suited to less heavy-duty jobs. For the price, we found it a good option for regular kitchen cleaning.
Oven Mate daily oven cleaner spray, £5.99, Lakeland
We expected serious cleaning power from this well-known brand, and it did a very good job at tackling grease on the oven and on the door glass. A thick foam is left to dissolve in the oven for 30 minutes – though take care as it can’t be left on oven door seals. The formula smells a little of bleach but not too overpowering. It can also be used on particularly tricky enamel roasting trays and Pyrex dishes. As the name suggests, it is still suited for frequent use rather than weeks of grease.
Oven & hob cleaner, £4, Ecover
The eco credentials of this option are strong: the bottle is recycled and recyclable, the ingredients are plant-based and non-toxic – we were able to use this without rubber gloves – and the natural fragrance of jasmine and mandarin is delightful. We achieved a nice shine on the inside of the oven and the glass door by spraying the formula inside, leaving for one minute, then wiping with a damp sponge, rinsing, and buffing dry. However, even with a longer soaking time, it had little effect on baked-on grease, so is best for a monthly refresh.
Jeyes barbecue and oven cleaner, £3.49, Home Bargains
Cut through grease and fat with this cleaner’s dual nozzle applicator; cover a large area with the fine spray or target tough baked-on spots with the foam function. The foam quickly binds with the grease, and is easy to wipe away with a damp cloth for a shining finish – it did take more effort to remove marks on the oven glass, though. The citric scent is very strong when first applied so keep the space well ventilated when using, but this soon disappeared once the oven was turned on.