What not to clean the oven: two prohibited products

A clean oven means both greater energy efficiency and better flavor. But not everyone knows that some products are categorically not suitable for cleaning stubborn dirt that appears in the oven.

As OBOZ.UA found out, these are two very popular products that can be used to clean many places in the house. But in the kitchen, it is better to use them very carefully, and not even touch the stove with them. These are chlorine bleach and ammonia.

What's wrong with bleach and ammonia

You may be tempted to use oven bleach because it is a well-known disinfectant that can kill bacteria. However, cleaning your oven with it can damage the materials inside your appliance and eat away at the coating on the glass. This will leave the entire appliance more vulnerable to new stains. It also makes metal parts more susceptible to corrosion. In addition, although bleach has the ability to kill bacteria, it does not clean surfaces well. Spraying it on or in the oven will not remove dirt, grease, or dust.

Ammonia, on the other hand, can deal with surface stains, but it's another caustic chemical. It's just better to keep it away from cooking areas so that it doesn't accidentally end up in the food.

And it's especially important not to use bleach and ammonia together because mixing these chemicals creates toxic gases called chloramines. Like bleach, ammonia is corrosive and can cause respiratory problems. These products can corrode the skin, eyes, and lining of the nose, throat, mouth, and lungs. Breathing in these fumes can cause respiratory problems, and using them to clean the oven can leave chemical residues inside that can contaminate your food.

How to clean the oven properly

In fact, you should clean your oven with natural, food-safe products. Regular baking soda and vinegar will do the trick. A mixture of 3 parts water and 8 parts baking soda will help remove grease and food residue inside the oven. Apply this paste to the inside of the appliance with a cloth or sponge and leave it on for 20 minutes. While the baking soda is doing its job, you can treat the glass door with vinegar; simply spray the surface and wipe it as if it were a regular glass cleaner. After 20 minutes, use the same vinegar to wipe off the baking soda paste.

You can also clean your oven racks without toxic products. All you need is warm water and dishwashing detergent. Fill a large tray or tub with soapy water and leave the oven racks to soak for at least two hours. Then scrub the item with a stiff brush. Use a steel sponge, but remember that the racks are the only place you can use this abrasive tool. In general, it is too coarse and can scratch the coating of the appliance.

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