House Cleaning
Why is baked-on grime in my oven so hard to get clean myself?
What’s likely going on
Grease and food residue bake onto oven surfaces at high heat repeatedly over time, essentially fusing into a layer that ordinary household cleaners aren't formulated to break down — it's a different problem than everyday kitchen grime.
Is this a DIY job or worth calling someone?
A self-cleaning cycle (if your oven has one) is worth trying first and is genuinely effective for moderate buildup. Heavy, years-old buildup usually needs a real degreasing approach and some elbow grease that's easy to underestimate until you're in the middle of it.
Not sure, or ready to have someone take care of it?