What is the Effect of Oven Cleaner on Kitchen Countertops?
It is not advised to use oven cleaner on your kitchen countertops due to its potential hazards. Not only could the chemicals present in this cleaner harm you and your family, but they could also corrode and discolor your countertops.
Sodium hydroxide, commonly found in oven cleaners, is a hazardous chemical that’s both corrosive and caustic. While it will dissolve food stains and grime on your countertop, it also leaves behind an unpleasant residue which poses risks to anyone who comes into contact with it.
Wood counters are particularly vulnerable to damage from oven cleaners due to their chemical composition. Harsh chemicals can soften and dissolve the varnish coating on these counters, leading to water damage. Furthermore, chemicals eat away at the top finish of wood and leave permanent stains or holes in its surface.
Granite and marble countertops are more resistant to the effects of oven cleaners because they are natural stones, however they still become tarnished when exposed to them, especially if a heavy amount of product is used.
Quartz and stainless steel can become discolored when exposed to oven cleaners due to the reactions between the ingredients in the cleaner and their surface.
Ceramic tiles are another material that is vulnerable to the chemicals in oven cleaners. Over time, these chemicals can cause your tiles to deteriorate and fade, so it is recommended that they not be used on kitchen tile countertops.
Concrete counters may not be as commonplace as stone or tile countertops, but they can still be vulnerable to the harsh chemicals found in oven cleaners. Over time, the acidic substances from an oven cleaner can erode away at a concrete countertop’s top layer, exposing inner elements such as brick pieces and stones as the concrete begins to deteriorate.
Maintaining concrete countertops is the best way to keep them spotless. A quality countertop polish or an effective cleaning product like vinegar and water can be used, which will remove greasy stains that are common on kitchen counters.
Oil stains on kitchen countertops can be one of the toughest to eliminate. The oils that drip from food preparations can leave behind behind irreversible marks that detract from their aesthetic appeal.
If you want to avoid the damaging effects of oven cleaner on your countertops, try using a mild bleach and cotton ball method. This will help gently bleach away stains, eventually eliminating them from your surfaces.
For heavy-duty grease and oil stains on countertops, you can also use an alcohol-based spray cleaner such as Magic Eraser or Easy Off on them. These spray cleaners are safe for most surfaces and will effectively remove those tough stains without harming the counters or making them dirty again.
