Grease accumulation can happen inside ovens. Without routine cleaning, homeowners might find a thick layer of grease that is frequently impossible to remove with regular cleaners.
At this point, oven cleaners are required to remove very tenacious dirt. There is no need for strenuous scrubbing when using oven cleaners. Simply spray, wait, and wipe clean.
But, what is the effect of oven cleaner on kitchen countertops? Countertop stains, oils, and grease can be removed from kitchen countertops with the aid of oven cleaner. However, during the process, the harmful substances in the oven cleaner will cause unimaginable damage to the surface of your countertops.
The strong corrosive chemicals react with the paint and varnish on the countertop and can corrode away the top layer, making your kitchen countertop more vulnerable to damage from moisture and other elements.
Additionally, there’s a chance that the toxic residue from the oven cleaner will come into contact with food particles. As a result, numerous other chemical reactions will occur, and the chemical may seep deep inside the countertops, leaving holes and other damage on your work surface.
For more information, continue reading.
Table of Contents
How Oven Cleaners Affect Different Types Of Kitchen Countertops?
Wooden Kitchen Countertops
Kitchen countertops made of wood with a clear or varnish coating are most susceptible to damage from oven cleaners. The top protective layer of the kitchen countertop is easily penetrated by the chemicals in the oven cleaner. As a result, it will become softer and stickier than usual. While some wooden kitchen countertops might harden once more, others won’t, and you will need to refinish the counters’ surface.
To clean wooden kitchen countertops
Use a non-abrasive cleaner or make your own by combining white vinegar and warm water. After cleaning, wipe the counters completely dry to prevent water stains.
Rub the affected area with salt and a half of a lemon if a slight discoloration appears. Use the water and vinegar solution to remove the residue after that.
ProTip Takeaway. Regularly apply oil or wax to wooden counters to strengthen the protective seal and avoid warping, cracking, and staining.
Tiled Kitchen Countertops
It’s not a good idea to use oven cleaner to clean a tile countertop in the kitchen. Don’t leave the dangerous oven cleaner chemicals out for too long. This is due to the fact that they will eat away at the grout and top finish, reducing the tile countertop’s aesthetic appeal.
- To clean a Tiled kitchen countertop:
Create a spray bottle or small mixing bowl full of warm water and mild soap instead. Use a sponge or cloth to scrub the tiles until they are spotless.
Stone Kitchen Countertops
Granite and marble countertops made of natural stone may last longer in the kitchen. Compared to other materials, they can withstand the potent chemicals in oven cleaners. It is not advised to use oven cleaner chemicals to clean natural stone kitchen countertops.
It’s possible that these kitchen counters won’t sustain any significant harm from using an oven cleaner. However, the finish will undoubtedly lose its sheen and turn dull and spotted.
- To clean a stone kitchen countertop:
One benefit of natural stone is that it is long-lasting and simple to maintain. All you need is a microfiber cloth, soap, and water. On this type of surface, vinegar should never be used as it will dull the finish.
ProTip Takeaway. Natural stone countertops are low-maintenance and don’t need to be cleaned with abrasive products. Never use scouring pads, oven cleaner, or other abrasive cleaners on your countertops made of natural stone.
Stainless Steel Countertops
In contemporary kitchens and in kitchens in restaurants, stainless steel countertops are common. Oven cleaners typically contain chemicals that stain stainless steel, though this can vary depending on the formulation.
It’s not worth the risk, but some steel counters might be able to withstand the spray. Later, the chemicals might contaminate food that was prepared on the surface.
- To clean a stainless steel kitchen countertop:
Steel countertops can be kept spotless with soap, water, and a microfiber towel. To help get rid of tough smudges, stainless steel cleaners are readily available.
ProTip Takeaway. For tougher stains or deeper cleaning, combine warm water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Then spray it on, let it sit for a short while, and then remove it with warm, soapy water.
Formica Kitchen Countertops
Melamine resin, which is the main component of Formica countertops, is thermally fused before being painted or laminated to resemble wood or stone. Like countertops made of natural stone, Formica countertops have a low risk of deterioration and corrosion. Only if the oven cleaner is immediately washed and rinsed after use will this happen.
Lye in oven cleaners will eat away at the finish of Formica countertops if you use them to clean them. Additionally, this will leave behind stains and discolorations that are permanent.
The material becomes weaker and is more prone to chipping as a result. It is not worthwhile to put this pricey countertop’s appearance in danger.
- To clean a Formica steel kitchen countertop:
The tried-and-true method of using mild dish soap and water together with all-purpose kitchen cleaners typically works well.
The Formica corporation offers other cleaning solutions that can get rid of tough stains. One of these is Pine-Sol Original Formula Windex Formula 409 Liquid Dish Soap.
ProTip Takeaway. Natural cleaners are always your best bet because they are the safest, healthiest, and best option for cleaning countertops.
See more about Can You Put Glass In An Oven?
Dangerous Oven Cleaner Ingredients
Your oven experiences a lot of stress. With each use, the amount of grease and grime baked into the oven increases due to food and oil splatters, gritty baking trays, and extremely high temperatures.
Yikes.
Because of this, effective oven wall cleaning requires STRONG oven cleaner chemicals. It’s not a good idea to use these potentially toxic chemicals to clean kitchen surfaces, especially on countertops made of flimsier materials like wood or laminate.
Oven Cleaner Chemicals To Avoid
What exactly are these dangerous substances found in oven cleaners? Here are some of the main ingredients to watch out for:
- Turpentine
- Degreasers
- Foaming agents
- Crystallization agents
- Sodium Hydroxide
- Butane
- Monoethanolamine (MEA)
- Monobutyl ether
- Diethylene Glycol
In addition to ruining your kitchen surface and fading the color away, these chemicals can be harmful to your health by contaminating your food and leading to food poisoning.
Your countertops’ leftover oven cleaner residue may react with the food you’re preparing (when chopping vegetables, etc.).) and cause chemical reactions that eat away at the kitchen surface even more so.
Oven Cleaners May Be Harmful To Your Health
Fumes are produced by the abrasive chemicals in oven cleaner. Oven cleaners without fumes are now being produced by manufacturers, but some consumers still notice fumes. It may be detrimental to your indoor air quality to frequently clean your kitchen countertops with a powerful oven cleaner.
What To Do If You’ve Used Oven Cleaner On Kitchen Countertops
Okay, so you weren’t aware of the effects of oven cleaners on kitchen countertops, and now that you’ve used one to clean them, you’re freaking out.
It’s not the end of the world, so don’t panic. We can take some steps to protect your kitchen countertops from the oven cleaner.
Polish The Countertops
If your countertops are made of stone, tile, or really anything else that isn’t wood, you should clean them with typical countertop cleaning products before giving them a good polish.
It’s worth a try!
Polishing your kitchen countertop can help restore some of the intense color and finish that the oven cleaner may have worn away. This doesn’t always work, but it can help.
Oil Up The Wood
Make sure to first thoroughly clean the surface with soap and water or specialized wooden countertop cleaner if your butcher block or countertop is made of wood and has been cleaned with oven cleaner.
Use specialized wood oil to restore the color to the kitchen counter and restore it to new condition after the surface has been cleaned and dried.
Remove Stubborn Stains From Kitchen Counters (without Oven Cleaner)
Okay, so you’re desperately trying to get rid of some difficult stains from your kitchen countertop, but you’ve since realized that the chemicals in oven cleaner products aren’t really doing you any good.
What should you do?
Baking Soda Method
For stains that refuse to leave your kitchen countertops, look into the classic baking soda method:
- Combine equal amounts of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) & white vinegar in a small bowl
- Mix the 2 ingredients until they form a paste
- Apply liberally to your stained kitchen countertop
- Allow the mixture to sit on the stains for 24-48 hours
Without using the harsh chemicals found in oven cleaners, this mixture efficiently absorbs stains from the kitchen countertops.
In order to further protect it and help remove the stains more efficiently, some homeowners cover this mixture with plastic wrap. No matter the type of countertop, this technique will work.
Bleach & Cotton Ball Method
The bleach and cotton ball technique is another typical stain removal technique.
Just dunk a cotton ball into some mild bleach. Following that, gently bleach the stains off the kitchen countertops by rubbing the area with the bleach on the cotton ball for a while.
Clean the area as usual once you’re finished.
Don’t use too much bleach, and stop using it as soon as you notice any discoloration. Keep in mind that bleach can remove color from things, so while it can be great for getting rid of color stains, it can also go too far and remove the color from the countertop itself.
FAQs
Is It Safe To Use Oven Cleaners On Granite Countertops?
Granite is a pure stone, as opposed to quartz. No polymer resins are capable of reacting with strong chemicals. However, because granite has a thin coat of sealant on the surface, using an oven cleaner on it is not recommended.
The stone may become tarnished and lose its protective layer from constant use. It’s possible for the granite to start absorbing liquids and to stain.
Can You Clean Marble Countertops With Oven Cleaner?
Marble countertops are frequently sealed, and their protective coating also gives them a distinct shine. Oven cleaners contain harsh chemicals that could harm the coating. This recommendation also holds true for other countertop materials, such as painted wooden surfaces or tiles with glaze layers.
Alternatives To Oven Cleaner On Countertops
An oven cleaner is sure to cut through all that and more, so you may be forced to use one due to a stubborn stain or grease that is difficult to remove. Thankfully, there are safer, more effective alternatives to take into account that are significantly more dependable for spot cleaning on an individual basis.
- Windex: While some cleaners may leave streaks, the majority of glass cleaners are made to leave your surface streak-free. They might not have the same ability to remove tough stains like rubbing alcohol, though.
- Warm water and mild soap: This straightforward mixture will keep your countertops clean and maintained for many years to come.
The Bottom Line
Your natural stone or engineered quartz countertop will last longer if you take care of it. When using oven cleaners, abrasive cleaners, acidic cleaners, or even dry cleaning detergents, exercise extreme caution. As long as spills are cleaned up quickly and delicate cleaning techniques are applied, quartz doesn’t require a lot of maintenance.
Many thanks for reading.
