Cleaning the oven is a task that most people put off for as long as possible, but Christmas is often the time when it’s given a much needed spruce up.

Most people are eager to get the house tidy and clean in time for the big day, but getting the oven clean can be a long and laborious task that isn’t especially pleasant. As it’s used day in and day out, ovens get dirty pretty quickly, with fats and oils from food leaving a brown and greasy residue inside that can be very difficult to remove. The longer you leave between cleaning your oven, the worse the grease and burnt food bits will be – but that’s where a common household ingredient comes in.

According to cleaning experts, all you need to banish that nasty brown scourge from your oven, without using too much elbow grease, is a bit of olive oil.

Olive oil is a common ingredient that most households will already have stored away in their kitchen, but you can pick up a bottle for less than £3 at most major supermarkets.

While it may ordinarily be used for cooking, olive oil also makes a great cleaning product and is surprisingly effective at cutting through grease.

According to cleaning experts, olive oil acts as a natural solvent and is effective at lifting baked-on grease and food stains, and will leave appliances streak-free.

Not only is it a natural degreaser, it is also non-toxic so it won’t leave any harmful residues in your oven, and it can be safely used on a variety of surfaces like stainless steel, glass and enamel, without causing any damage or scratches.

Experts at Oven Detailing explain: “Olive oil works on grease because it’s a natural fat, which helps dissolve other fats like the grease stuck in your oven. When applied to greasy surfaces, olive oil softens and loosens the baked-on grime, making it easier to scrub away.”

They add: “Using olive oil as a grease cutter in your oven may seem unconventional, but it’s an effective, safe, and natural way to clean baked-on grime. With its ability to soften grease and its gentle nature, olive oil makes a great alternative to harsh chemical cleaners.”

To clean your oven with olive oil, you first need to remove any loose crumbs from inside the oven and then add three to four drops to a microfibre cloth.

Wipe the surface of the oven using circular motions and allow the oil to sit on the surface for 10 to 15 minutes, as this will help to soften and loose then grease, making it easier to wipe away. Then take a second dry cloth and buff the surface clean.

Experts at Lottomart explain: “Start by wiping down your oven or appliance with a damp cloth to remove any loose dirt or food residue – this prevents you from spreading grime around during the cleaning process. 

“Then add just a few drops of olive oil to a clean, dry microfiber cloth. You need far less than you think – three or four drops is plenty for an entire oven door or fridge front.

“Wipe the surface using gentle circular motions, working the oil across the entire area. You’ll notice it cutting through grease marks and watermarks almost immediately.

“Finally, take a second dry microfiber cloth and buff the surface thoroughly. This step is crucial – it removes any excess oil and reveals that coveted streak-free shine.”