Ignoring Your Oven Could Be Hazardous, Yet Homeowners Put It Off More Than Any Other Chore

It's the chore you're most likely to put off, but you're putting yourself and your home in danger by doing so.

New data from Norwex reveals all the guilty pleasures and oversights of people in North America when it comes to cleaning

Even though 52% of respondents say they enjoy cleaning, and 44% use it to reduce stress, a whopping 71% acknowledge putting off household tasks for more than a month.

And the No. 1 task people are reluctant to get to is oven scrubbing—despite it being critical for home safety.

What the survey reveals about homeowners’ cleaning habits

In the survey, 37% of adults confessed they'd rather do their taxes or get an oil change than tackle household chores. Of the chores that carry the most disdain, 44% of respondents admitted that oven scrubbing is the task that they postpone the most.

Other chores people put off include cleaning the shower (39%); washing windows (38%); scrubbing the toilet (32%); dusting baseboards (31%); organizing clutter (26%); and vacuuming/mopping (23%).

Why do chores get pushed aside? More than a third (35%) say they keep putting them off until “tomorrow.” About a quarter (26%) find them too tiring, 15% are too busy, and 12% say they’re boring.

Interestingly, the reasons behind tidying up vary wildly by generation. Among Gen Z, 18% admitted to cleaning specifically to film content for social media, whereas older generations—millennials, Gen X, and boomers—say they’re most likely to tidy up when company’s coming.

Why a dirty oven can pose safety risks

According to Paul Christofi, co-founder of FC Fire Prevention, grease accumulation in ovens is a major fire hazard.

"Grease that builds up can catch fire when the oven heats, especially around the burners or elements," he warns.

Dirty gas ovens can pose a carbon monoxide risk as well.

"If a gas oven gets dirty from grease and debris, it can block the burners," explains Christofi. "When that happens, the gas doesn’t burn all the way, and this can create carbon monoxide."

Letting your oven go uncleaned can also result in mold growth.

"If spills or moisture collect around the door seal or in drip trays, mold or mildew can develop, especially if the oven isn’t used frequently," warns Christofi.

In addition, burnt food particles in ovens can release smoke containing particles and gases that may
cause respiratory irritation.

"This can be especially troublesome for people with asthma," says Christofi. "I've seen multiple people who have reported eye and throat irritations that went away once their oven was cleaned."

How often you should clean your oven—and the right way to do it

"I always tell my clients that a light wipe-down after cooking and a deeper clean every three to six months is a good rule of thumb," says electrician Daniel Vasilevski, the owner of Pro Electrical. "The goal is to keep debris from building up so you never reach the point where heat, flames, or wiring are compromised."

For easier upkeep, Vasilevski recommends using oven liners or trays approved by the manufacturer to catch drips.

Wiping up spills immediately will also prevent buildup.

"Do this once the oven cools instead of letting them bake on," Vasilevski advises.

And be sure to stay on top of cleanings.

"I suggest scheduling oven care like a dental cleaning: Mark it in your calendar every few months, and it won’t become an overwhelming chore," says Michael Williams, founder and CEO of Michael's Cleaning.

If you use the self-cleaning feature on your oven, Williams says that "the oven heats itself to an extremely high temperature, reducing residue to ash that you can sweep away."

But he warns that this extreme heat can stress the oven’s components and produce smoke or fumes.

"Manual scrubbing is safer for the appliance, but more labor-intensive," explains Williams. "I usually suggest alternating: light manual upkeep regularly, and self-cleaning only a couple of times a year."

Eco-friendly cleaners—like baking soda and vinegar—are gentle, safe for indoor air quality, and cost-effective.

"The downside is they require elbow grease and patience," says Williams.

Chemical oven cleaners, on the other hand, cut through grease quickly with minimal scrubbing, but they release harsh fumes and often require strong ventilation.

"My advice is to use natural solutions for routine maintenance and to save chemical cleaners for the occasional deep, neglected mess when nothing else works," says Williams.