In a column syndicated by Brisbane Times and The Sydney Morning Herald, writer Debora Robertson sets out a five-step method for cleaning an oven, aiming to make the chore less daunting.

Robertson recommends getting into a simple routine: cleaning spills as they happen, wiping down doors, handles and seals regularly, and occasionally removing racks and rack supports to scrub off grease. Doing this, she writes, means you will seldom have to give up a precious Saturday to a deep clean.

Step one is to gather materials. The author suggests covering the floor with old newspapers if the oven is particularly dirty, plus rubber gloves and possibly a face mask when using strong chemicals. For very dirty ovens, she names commercial cleaners such as OzKleen Oven Power or Selleys Oven Clean Aerosol. For the exterior, a kitchen spray like Jif Power & Shine can help, though washing-up liquid in hot water may suffice for lighter jobs. Those wanting fewer strong chemicals can use bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar.

She also advises having soft cloths, such as microfibre, a few scrubby sponges or scouring pads, and a plastic scraper to lift stubborn burnt-on bits from the oven floor.

Step two covers the exterior and door. In most cases, a squirt of washing-up liquid in a bowl of hot water with a tightly wrung-out microfibre cloth is enough. An alternative is a spray of one part water to one part white vinegar, with a drop or two of washing-up liquid added. The column notes that a very greasy exterior may require a stronger product, though the excerpt provided cuts off at that point.

The full guide, which promises five steps in total, appears in the latest editions of the two newspapers.