What Is The Effect Of Oven Cleaner On Kitchen Countertops
When it comes to cleaning your kitchen, you’ll have to deal with food splatters, hardened grease, oil, and stubborn stains, to name a few. If these stains end up on your kitchen counters, a simple wipe will not suffice. To make your kitchen counters look clean, shiny, and appealing, you’ll need to do a lot more.
As a result, some homeowners prefer to clean their countertops with harsh chemicals. Cleaning the surface of your baking bench with an oven cleaner is one of the cleaning options available to you.
In this article, we’ll look at the effects of oven cleaners on kitchen countertops. This is because a lot of people use this type of cleaning liquid or foam to get rid of tough stains and dirt on their kitchen counters.
What Do Oven Cleaners Contain?
You may believe that the only way to remove stubborn stains and grease from your countertops is to use oven cleaners. However, some chemicals will cause far more long-term harm than anticipated.
Most of the oven cleaners contain harsh and dangerous chemicals such as:
- Sodium hydroxide or lye
- Turpentine
- Degreasers
- Foaming Agents
- Crystallization agents
- Soda ash (sodium carbonate), which is an alkalizer that is mostly added to swimming pools.
- MEA (monoethanolamine) is a substance made up of ethanol and ammonia.
The result of these cleaning ingredients is a spray foam oven cleaner. It softens grease and dissolves the greasy leftovers that cling to the oven’s walls and surface.
This allows you to easily scrape them off, making the job of cleaning your ovens a breeze. As a result, you should think twice about using an oven cleaner on your kitchen countertops. (Guide House, 2019)
The Risks of Cleaning Kitchen Countertops with an Oven Cleaner
Oven cleaners contain harsh and dangerous chemicals that can be quite toxic. The oven cleaner’s toxic chemicals can come into contact with your food and cause food poisoning. Using an oven cleaner on the kitchen countertops where you prepare your food can be harmful to your health and that of your family.
When you use an oven cleaner to clean your kitchen countertops, the toxic chemicals in it may be absorbed. When you work in the kitchen, this poses a health risk to you and your family.
It also puts the food you’re preparing on the kitchen counter at risk. Using an oven cleaner to clean your kitchen countertops on a regular basis will cause leaching. This will eventually build up and pose a serious health risk.
There is usually a very thin protective top layer on your kitchen countertop. The heavy-duty oven cleaner can damage and penetrate the kitchen countertop’s protective layer.
This is due to its cocktail of chemicals. The kitchen countertops will then be completely exposed, and any further damage will be irreversible. (Seal With Ease, 2021)
Oven cleaners contain lye. This can strip or damage stone kitchen countertops that are usually sealed with polyurethane. The lye can also cause the grout sealer on tiled kitchen countertops to deteriorate.
If you spill oven cleaner on your kitchen countertop, wipe it up right away. Cleaning the area with vinegar (an acidic substance) can assist in neutralizing any lye residue.
Ethanol, also known as MEA, is a strong solvent that can discolor the surface of your kitchen countertop. This is especially if the countertop is made of Corian, vinyl, or any other synthetic material.
Sodium hydroxide reacts with aluminum to produce hydrogen gas, which is flammable. As a result, the aluminum becomes permanently discolored. As a result, you must avoid spraying oven cleaner on an aluminum kitchen countertop. (Guide-House, 2019)
Effect of Oven Cleaner on Kitchen Countertops
So, how does oven cleaner affect kitchen countertops? It all depends on the type of countertop we’re working with. Ingredients in oven cleaners react differently with different materials. Depending on what your surface is made of, it may degrade or remain relatively unscathed.
Let’s take a look at how oven cleaners affect different types of kitchen countertops:
Wooden Kitchen Countertops
When using an oven cleaner, wooden kitchen countertops with a clear or varnish coat are the most vulnerable. The oven cleaner’s chemicals easily penetrate the top protective layer of the kitchen countertop. This will soften it and turn it to be sticky and gummy. While some wooden kitchen countertops may harden again, others will not, and you will need to refinish the counters’ surface.
- To clean wooden kitchen countertops
Use a non-abrasive cleaner or make your own with warm water and white vinegar. To avoid water stains, wipe the counters completely dry after cleaning.
If a light discoloration occurs, rub half a lemon with salt on the affected area. Then wipe away with the water and vinegar solution. (Cannibal Kitchen, 2021)
ProTip Takeaway. To strengthen the protective seal and prevent warping, cracking, and staining, apply oil or wax to wooden counters on a regular basis.
Tiled Kitchen Countertops
Cleaning a kitchen surface such as a tile countertop with an oven cleaner isn’t a good idea. Do not leave the toxic chemicals from the oven cleaner for too long. This is because they will eat away at the top finish and grout, causing the tile countertop to lose its appearance.
- To clean a Tiled kitchen countertop:
Make warm water and mild soap solution in a spray bottle or a small mixing bowl instead. Clean the tiles thoroughly with a sponge or cloth until they are as good as new.
Stone Kitchen Countertops
Natural stone kitchen countertops, such as marble and granite, may be more durable. They are able to withstand the harsh chemicals in oven cleaners than other materials. Cleaning natural stone kitchen countertops with chemicals in the oven cleaner is not recommended.
The use of an oven cleaner may not cause serious damage to these kitchen counters. However, the finish will undoubtedly lose its sheen, becoming dull and spotted. (Countertop Advisor, 2020)
- To clean a stone kitchen countertop:
Natural stone is durable and easy to clean, which is one of its advantages. Only soap, water, and a microfiber cloth are required. Vinegar should never be used on this type of surface because it will dull the finish.
ProTip Takeaway. Natural stone countertops are low-maintenance and do not require the use of abrasive cleaners to maintain them. On your natural stone counters, never use oven cleaner, scouring pads, or other abrasive cleaners.
Stainless Steel Countertops
Stainless steel countertops are popular in modern kitchens and restaurant kitchens. Stainless steel is usually stained by the chemicals in oven cleaners, though this depends on the formulation.
Some steel counters may withstand the spray, but it’s not worth the risk. The chemicals could later contaminate food prepared on the surface. (Kitchen Infinity, 2021)
- To clean a stainless steel kitchen countertop:
Use soap, water, and a microfiber towel to keep steel countertops clean and gleaming. Cleaners designed for stainless steel can be purchased to help remove stubborn smudges.
ProTip Takeaway. Combine warm water and white vinegar in a spray bottle for tougher stains or deeper cleaning. Then spray it on, let it sit for a few minutes, and then wash it away with warm soapy water.
Formica Kitchen Countertops
Formica countertops are made of melamine resin that has been thermally fused and then painted or laminated to look like wood or stone. Formica countertops, like natural stone countertops, have a low risk of damage and corrosion. This is only if you rinse and wash the oven cleaner immediately after use.
If you clean Formica countertops with oven cleaners, the lye will eat away at the finish. This will also leave permanent stains and discoloration.
It also weakens the material, making it more susceptible to chipping. It’s not worth risking the appearance of this expensive countertop. (Seal With Ease, 2021)
- To clean a Formica steel kitchen countertop:
All-purpose kitchen cleaners, as well as the old standby of mild dish soap and water, usually work well.
There are other cleaners recommended by the Formica corporation for removing stubborn stains. These include Original Formula Pine-Sol Windex Liquid Dish Soap Formula 409.
ProTip Takeaway. Always try to clean your countertops with natural cleaners because they are the safest, healthiest, and best option.
Do you need to change your countertop?
Contact a professional contractor if your kitchen countertops are damaged by the chemicals in the oven cleaner. It’s best to contact a professional contractor for a repair quote after you’ve exhausted all other options.
Cleaning kitchen counters can be a difficult task, and anyone can make a mistake. If in doubt, use a more environmentally friendly cleaning method. You can contact your home inspection company if you have damage to your kitchen countertops due to the harsh chemicals in the oven cleaner.
If you are in Houston Texas and require the services of a professional contractor, Smart Remodeling LLC is the best company to contact. Smart Remodeling LLC will inspect your kitchen countertops and advice you on the best forward. Depending on the effects of oven cleaner on your kitchen counters we can do the following. We can refinish stained and worn-out kitchen countertops, as well as replace and install new ones.
For perfect kitchen countertops and expert services at an affordable price, contact us today.
