However, all this doesn’t mean that caustic chemicals are the only solution for a grubby oven that’s starting to smell of burning when you bake. You can still get your oven back to that sparkling condition you want using eco-friendly oven cleaning.
What’s the trick to cleaning your oven without all those chemicals that can damage the environment? Read on to learn all the ins and outs of less harsh cleaning methods, including why it matters and how to do it.
Does eco-friendly oven cleaning really make a difference? Yes! Ordinary, caustic cleaners can be bad for you as well as the environment. Let’s discuss why.
Typically, local authorities categorise normal oven cleaning chemicals as hazardous waste for the purposes of waste disposal. That means they need to be disposed of separately from ordinary waste so that they don’t contaminate the environment or harm people.
Since harsh chemical oven cleaners may be flammable, they can harm waste management workers if they end up catching fire. Or they could leak from a waste bag into the earth or water, resulting in pollution. Non-recyclable spray cans and plastic bottles all add up to more waste on our planet, too.
Many typical oven cleaners contain strong chemicals that you don’t want to enter waterways. They’re often strongly alkaline - the opposite of acidic - and may have chemicals like ethylene glycol (used in antifreeze) or lye.
Reading the instructions on a bottle or spray can of harsh oven cleaner can be nerve-wracking. The manufacturer will typically warn you not to let the cleaner touch your skin or eyes, not to breathe it in, and certainly not to let it enter your food.
And that’s for good reason. The chemicals in typical oven cleaners can be very harmful to your health. These highly corrosive substances can damage your skin and eyes, irritate your nose and throat, make you feel dizzy, and even poison you if they somehow end up being eaten.
Let’s not forget that strong oven cleaning chemicals can easily damage surfaces in your kitchen. A little drop of cleaner on your floor or countertop can leave a permanent scar.
If you want to avoid all these drawbacks, good news – there are plenty of DIY oven cleaning options that are greener and less toxic for you, too. That being said, ovens and oven surfaces vary widely, so check your oven manual and details about the parts of your oven to ensure your chosen cleaning method is right for you.
Of course, remember that you shouldn’t put oven cleaners of any kind on heating elements, and you should only clean your oven when it’s completely cold. Also, even with these eco-friendly oven cleaning methods, you should always wear gloves to clean your oven, and ensure all remnants of your chosen cleaner are wiped off before you cook again.
Baking soda or bicarbonate of soda are two names for the same handy ingredient and cleaner. This simple substance can work in two ways to defeat baked-on grease. It can break down the grime on a chemical level, and its gritty texture can also help to scour away dirt. However, we’ll note that baking soda shouldn’t be used on aluminium, so take a look to see what your oven components are made from. You’ll likely need to clean your oven racks in a different way.
One option here is to mix three tablespoons of water with half a cup of baking soda. Spread the resulting paste over the surfaces you’re aiming to clean and leave for twenty minutes or so. Then clean it off using damp paper towels, ensuring all the residue is gone.
If your oven needs a heavier clean, make a thicker paste with about 500g of baking soda, two tablespoons of water and one tablespoon of salt. Leave this on overnight and then use a bit of warm water, paper towels and a rubber or silicone spatula to remove the hardened paste.
Baking soda and vinegar are long-time favourites of cleaners who prefer a greener option. So, it’s no surprise they come in handy with eco-friendly oven cleaning, too.
With this approach, take a paste of baking soda and water and spread it over your oven. Then spritz vinegar over the paste using a spray bottle. The bubbling you’ll see can help shake some of the dried-on grease loose. When you’re done, wipe it all away.
You’ve surely heard of steam-cleaning textiles like mattresses -- but can steam help you to clean your oven too?
Some people say it can! Others say it’s not the most effective method. But if you’d like to try it, just boil some water, add it to an oven-safe baking dish, and add a cup of vinegar. Then turn your oven to 150°C and “cook” for about 45 minutes. After your oven has cooled, remove the dish and wipe down the interior.
It’s no surprise that eco-friendly oven cleaning – just like all oven cleaning – is easier when you do it more frequently. But who has time to go through the oven-cleaning process every 2-3 months? It’s smarter here to get the benefits of a professional oven cleaner who uses eco-friendly cleaners and has the expertise to get the job done beautifully in a flash.
And that brings us to our last tip …
If your oven is in a really grimy condition, you might be tempted to turn to caustic cleaners rather than eco-friendly ones. Instead, just contact a professional oven cleaning company that uses eco-friendly, non-toxic methods – as we do at All Seasons Clean. We’re used to tackling the grubbiest of ovens, so we know how to handle them while sticking to greener, non-caustic cleaners. And since we’re pros in all the ins and outs of oven cleaning, we can do the job quickly at a great price. In fact, our oven cleans start at £15!
All Seasons Clean is an expert, eco-friendly oven cleaning service for homes in Nottingham or Derby. So, if you’re just ready to see your oven gleaming clean again without all those toxic fumes, get in touch with us for a free, no-obligation quote. Whether you’ve got a bit of burnt-on dirt or an oven that needs a heavy deep clean, we’re here for you.
Our experts are here to chat, too, if you’d like more info. Just give us a ring on 0115 772 2513 (for Nottingham), 01332 492 513 (for Derby). You can also email us at [email protected].
