Cleaning the oven may seem like a straightforward task, but there are various cleaners on the market, making it difficult to choose one. Heavy-duty oven cleaners are often best for appliances that are in need of a deep cleaning, but these are usually considered harmful to the skin, and should be kept out of the reach of children and pets. There are some products available, however, that have fewer toxic fumes and chemicals. Of course, some people prefer to make their own oven cleaners using safe household items, such as baking soda and vinegar.
Most oven cleaners that are popular among homeowners come with plenty of warnings to keep the substance away from the skin and mucus membranes. The fact that this type of cleaner can burn the skin and make it difficult to breathe usually means that users should wear rubber gloves and avoid breathing it in. In fact, it is usually advised that homeowners apply the product to the appliance, shut the oven door, and then leave it for several hours. This allows the chemicals to sink in so that stains can be easily wiped up with a wet sponge, either hours later, or the next day. As long as users take the proper precautions around this type of cleaner, it is usually considered quite effective.
Some homeowners do not like the idea of using harmful products in their home, so they may opt for non-toxic oven cleaners. This type of cleaner usually works similarly to the more toxic kind, but is less likely to burn the skin or irritate the mucus membranes. In most cases, this means that consumers do not have to wear gloves for their safety, though the directions of the product should be consulted to be sure of this. Additionally, this kind of product usually has weaker fumes, if any, which can make it easier to use without having to leave the room for hours while it does its job on oven stains; of course, an extremely dirty oven may prove to be too much for some of these less aggressive products.
There are homeowners who prefer to avoid any possibility of oven cleaners bringing harm to their children, pets, or their own body. Such people may prefer to use timeless household cleaners, such as baking soda, vinegar, and salt. For example, baking soda can be mixed with white vinegar until it has the consistency of paste, and then left on the stain over night to be wiped away the next morning. Equal parts salt and baking soda can also be mixed together, with water added slowly until it looks like paste. This combination can then be placed in the oven for several hours, or over night, and then removed with a wet sponge.