Should You Clean Your Oven With Ammonia: Does It Really Work (and Is It Safe)?

If you’ve ever opened your oven door and felt personally attacked by the layer of burnt-on grease, food splatters, and that weird smell that kicks in every time you bake... you’re not alone. Oven cleaning has a tendency to fall into the procrastination category, alongside projects like scrubbing behind the fridge or reorganizing the chaotic drawer where random items collect.

But when “later” drags on for months or even reaches the year mark, promise no judgment from this end, that grime gets grind harder to budge. And suddenly, you find yourself scouring the web for solutions like “how to deeply scrub an oven without expending energy for hours on end.”

That scenario likely explains how you landed here on this page.

You may have heard whispers of the ammonia technique being basic, low-cost, and reported to do the trick. And it really can...when carried out properly. If a tough oven mess has got you stumped and you want something that cuts through crud sans all the arm ache, ammonia could become your new trusted friend. Just don’t anticipate it to be entirely painless or scent-free.

Of course, if the very idea of ammonia makes you nervous which is a reasonable reaction as you can always farm the job out to professionals. Many cleaning companies routinely handle these types of situations without your abode reeking of lab chemicals.

But if you're prepared to get your hands dirty, keep reading for the full rundown.

Why People Use Ammonia to Clean Ovens

Let’s get this out of the way first—ammonia isn’t magic, but it’s pretty close when it comes to breaking down stuck-on grime.

It works because it's a strong alkaline cleaner that helps loosen carbonized food and grease. In fact, industrial kitchens have used ammonia-based products for decades. The big draw? It softens baked-on gunk overnight so you can wipe it away easily the next day.

It’s especially useful if you’ve got:

Years of buildup
A self-cleaning oven you don’t want to run for 4 hours
That one spill from a pie or casserole that never quite cleaned up

How to Clean Your Oven with Ammonia (The Right Way)

This isn’t just a spray-and-go situation. There's a process. And you do need to be careful with ammonia—it’s strong stuff and the fumes aren’t exactly pleasant.

You’ll Need:

1 cup of ammonia (regular household ammonia, not industrial-grade)
A small oven-safe dish or bowl
A second dish of boiling water
Rubber gloves
Ventilation (open a window or turn on a fan)
A sponge or cloth for wiping

Step-by-Step:

Preheat your oven—to warm, not hot.
About 150°F (or as low as your oven allows). This step helps soften the grime and makes the ammonia more effective.
Turn the oven off and place the cup of ammonia on the top rack.
Place a second dish of boiling water on the bottom rack.
Close the door and leave it overnight (or at least 8 hours).
Don’t open the oven. You want the ammonia fumes to work their magic.
The next morning, air out the kitchen—open a window and let the oven breathe before you do anything else.
Remove the ammonia and water, and use gloves when handling the dish.
Wipe down the oven interior with a damp sponge or cloth. You’ll be shocked how easily the gunk comes off.
For any extra-tough spots, dip your cloth in a little leftover ammonia mixed with water and scrub gently.

Important: NEVER mix ammonia with bleach or other cleaning products. The fumes can be dangerous.

Is Cleaning with Ammonia Safe?

Yes—if you follow instructions and take basic safety steps.

That means:

Always ventilate the area.
Wear gloves so it doesn’t irritate your skin.
Store ammonia far away from other cleaning supplies (especially bleach).
Never let pets or kids near the oven while the ammonia is sitting inside.

Used correctly, ammonia is safe and surprisingly effective. But it does have a strong smell, so if you’re sensitive to scents, it might not be your favorite option.

Still, when compared to scrubbing for an hour or using expensive sprays full of chemicals, ammonia is a budget-friendly, efficient way to deep clean an oven.

How Often Should You Deep Clean Your Oven?

You’d be surprised how many people never clean their oven. Like... ever. But experts recommend a deep clean every 3 to 6 months, depending on how often you cook.

If you bake a lot, roast messy dishes, or love a cheesy casserole, you’re probably due for a clean sooner than later.

Pro tip: Wipe spills as they happen (once the oven cools, of course). It makes deep cleaning less of a nightmare later.

What If the Oven Is Beyond DIY?

Listen, sometimes the mess is just too far gone. Or maybe you don’t want your house smelling like ammonia for a day and a half. Or maybe you just don’t want to clean the oven. Period.

And that’s completely fine.

Hiring a professional cleaning lady can save you hours of effort—and probably deliver better results, too. They’ve got commercial-grade tools, non-toxic products, and, most importantly, no emotional attachment to the mess. They’ll scrub down your oven like it’s just another Tuesday, while you do literally anything else.

Final Thoughts: Is Ammonia Worth It?

Honestly? Yeah, if the grime has built up over time in your oven, ammonia can be a highly effective DIY cleaning method despite its pungent odor. Though it requires no elbow grease or scrubbing on your part, you'll need to properly plan and prepare for an overnight degreasing process. Just be sure to carefully follow all safety precautions before leaving the acrid fumes to work their magic undisturbed.

But when layers of baked-on food and grease have truly taken over, subjecting yourself to the ammonia's acrid assault may not be worth it. The mess could be too overwhelming or you simply too tired to endure the stench. There's no shame in saving yourself the headache and hiring expert help instead. In fact, your future cooking self will surely thank past you for the forethought.

Whether you do the dirty work yourself or outsource the job entirely, nothing can replace the satisfaction of flinging open your oven door tomorrow to gleaming, pristine interior walls. Gone will be the burnt-on stains, smoke residue and malodorous reminders of dinner past. Only the alluring promise of freshly baked goods to come will greet your nose.

Check out our kitchen cleaning if you need to unload the undesirable task. Let professionals handle the grime so you can get back to the enjoyable aromas of home cooking, mess-free.

Cleaning Oven With Ammonia