Using caustic chemicals used to be the only way to clean ovens to a professional standard. Today there are many products that do not contain caustic chemicals yet still achieve high standard, professional results.
The dangers of caustic chemicals are, in our opinion, not worth the quick results. There is no doubt that caustic chemicals quickly burn away dirt, grease and grime inside the oven, but the potential risks and damage to both the user, the home and the oven are something that needs weighing up.
We’ve listed the potential risks of caustic chemicals below, so that you have all the information you need to decide if caustic chemicals should be used in your home or not.
THE BENEFITS OF CAUSTIC OVEN CLEANING CHEMICALS
There is no denying that caustic chemicals provide a quick clean. This is achievable because of the Sodium Hydroxide within the chemical solutions that burn away carbon, dirt and grease with ease.
However, this benefit of caustic oven cleaning chemicals is far outweighed by the potential risk factors.
THE RISKS OF CAUSTIC OVEN CLEANING CHEMICALS
Due to the corrosive properties of Sodium Hydroxide, a chemical used in caustic oven cleaning products that burns carbon, fat and grease, caustic oven cleaning chemicals have many risk factors. Here are our main concerns, and reasons why we only produce non-caustic, safe oven cleaning products.
- Corrosive on skin – Caustic chemicals can irritate and burn uncovered skin. When our director Gavin Finch first started cleaning ovens years ago, his hands were constantly red raw from the damaging caustic chemicals he had to use. This was one of the reasons why he decided to produce his own line of non-caustic products that still achieve professional results.
- Eye irritation/blindness – If the caustic chemical splashes into the eye, it is very corrosive and can in fact lead to blindness. A risk not worth taking we think. If you are using caustic chemicals, be sure to always have a pair of protective goggles or glasses on to reduce this risk.
- Caustic damages enamel – if the caustic chemical goes onto the enamel inside the oven, it can damage it. It can corrode the enamel, causing a whiteness that won’t go away. This damages the oven.
- Element burn out – caustic chemicals that get onto the element in the oven can cause the oven to stop working. Not good for the life of your oven!
- Harmful fumes – Caustic chemicals release fumes, which should not be inhaled as they are damaging to airways. This is particularly something to think about if you have children, pets and elderly in the home. Fumes not only affect the person cleaning the oven, but those inside the home too. Once the oven has been switched on after it has been cleaned, these fumes circulate around the home.
- Potential damage to painted cupboards – if your oven is surrounded by painted cupboards, splashes of caustic oven cleaning chemicals getting onto these cupboard surfaces can damage them. You might end up with marks from corrosion. If you are using caustic chemicals and happen to get splashes on the cupboards, make sure you wipe them off immediately.
- Damages wooden flooring – a similar issue to the previous, if caustic solutions splash onto wooden floors it can leave marks as it corrodes. This will mean sanding and oiling the floor to (hopefully) get rid of the markings.
- Damage to wooden work tops – we do not recommend putting caustic chemicals anywhere near wooden worktops. Corrosive chemicals can cause dark marks, damaging the look of the wood. If you do splash caustic oven cleaning products onto your wooden work surfaces, quickly wipe off the solution. If it does stain the wood, sanding and oiling is the only way to get rid of it.
THE BENEFITS OF NON-CAUSTIC OVEN CLEANING CHEMICALS
With non-caustic oven cleaning chemicals, the same professional results can be achieved without the harsh chemicals. Our non-caustic products are fume and odour free. They do not damage skin, worktops, floors, cupboards or any part of the oven. They are completely safe yet they still manage to have great results.
We started out producing non-caustic oven cleaning chemicals because of the nasty chemicals in caustic solutions. It was our aim to still achieve professional results without the need for Sodium Hydroxide. We achieved this, and our products are used by many professionals in the cleaning industry.
Our method for oven cleaning compliments our non-caustic products. Our products work in a different way to caustic. They each contain powerful microbes that soften carbon, making it easier to clean away.
The method we use, and recommend to both professionals and non-professionals, works perfectly with the chemicals. Using this method, you can’t go wrong.
OUR OVEN CLEANING TIPS TO CLEAN LIKE A PRO
One of our top tips for oven cleaning is to heat the oven up to 80 degrees. Allow it to heat up to temperature fully before turning off and then start the cleaning process. This softens the carbon and allows for its easy removal with our non-caustic oven cleaning products, such as Bio Oven Cleaner.
We recommend this to professional oven cleaners as well. Professionals also use an oven cleaning Dip Tank, which have been designed by our director Gavin, to work in conjunction with our oven cleaning chemicals. This Dip Tank is used to clean oven racks and trays, getting off even the thickest carbon.
Our other top oven cleaning tip to go alongside our non-caustic products, is to use the blade and scraper method of cleaning. Professionals and non-professionals can use this cleaning method.
