Cooking for a family almost always includes your oven. You’ve begun to rely on your oven over the years to help you get dinner on the table night after night. And to keep that trusty oven working correctly, you should be cleaning it regularly. But with all the oven cleaners available, how do you know what is and what isn’t safe to use? Here are some things to avoid using when cleaning your oven.
Harsh Chemical Cleaners
Many oven cleaners you’ll find at the store contain chemicals like butoxydiglycol or sodium hydroxide. According to the EWG, both substances can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs. Therefore, you need to wear gloves while using these types of cleaners. However, when you put these chemicals into an oven, which gets very hot, the chemicals can become even more irritating. Most appliance experts recommend avoiding harsh chemical cleaners altogether and opting for more natural varieties.
Is my oven’s self-cleaning function safe?
The self-cleaning function on your oven can be very convenient. But is it safe? When your oven “self-cleans”, it’s just getting super-hot to burn off all the residue and film that can build up in your oven over time. While the self-cleaning cycle can produce a lot of fumes and foul smells, it is essentially safe. To cut down on the fumes, use your self-cleaning function on a day when you can open all the windows in the home. Never use the self-cleaning setting if you don’t have working carbon monoxide detectors in your house.
Don’t Use Harsh Sponges on Your Glass Door
That glass oven door can get grimy, so it may be tempting to use a heavy-duty scrubber on it. But harsh or rough sponges could scratch the glass. Instead, use a microfiber cloth and a mix of baking soda and vinegar to get rid of stubborn stains.
Remember, for all your oven or home appliance needs, Express Appliance Service is here for you!