Fill an oven-safe dish with equal parts water and white vinegar, pop it in the oven, set it to 200°F, and let it steam for about 30 minutes.
Water is a surprisingly successful combatant to the lingering smell of oven cleaner. Preset your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place a large pot of water on the lowest rack. Allow the water to boil for at least one hour and the overpowering odor will soon dissipate.
Chemical cleaners attack tough-to-remove dirt, so wear rubber or nitrile gloves and a mask to avoid breathing in the fumes. If you're wondering if it's safe to cook in an oven after cleaning with it, it's best to leave the oven at a high heat for around 20 minutes before you use it.
When exposed to 600 degrees Fahrenheit -- or higher -- during the oven cleaning, well, the off-gassing is very toxic to humans, especially babies, young children and pregnant women. The fumes can also cause flu-like symptoms, sweating, coughing and trigger asthma.
Close the oven door and let it sit anywhere from 90 minutes to overnight. After allowing the cleaner to penetrate the stains, wipe away the foam and debris with a sponge or rag. Be sure to wear gloves while you work and turn on the exhaust fan in your kitchen.
After cleaning your oven with oven cleaner, it's generally safe to cook in it once the cleaner has been thoroughly rinsed and any residual chemicals have been removed.
Key Instructions for Safely Using a Self-Cleaning Oven
First and foremost, don't leave your oven unattended during self-cleaning.
This kitchen staple is a cleaning powerhouse, and its acidic nature can help break down that alkaline residue left by strong oven cleaners. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and spray this mixture all over the areas with white residue. Then, let it sit for about 10 minutes.
After a self-cleaning cycle, the oven should open once it has completely cooled. Depending on the age and make of your oven, this can take anywhere from 30-90 minutes. In most cases, if your oven has an automatic lock, then it will also automatically unlock itself once the self-cleaning is finished.
The less well-ventilated your kitchen is, the more pungent the smell will be since there will be a higher concentration of fumes inside the kitchen. More is better when it comes to ventilation, so open up all doors and windows nearby and turn on the extractor fan for maximum airflow.
If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by poison control or a provider. If the person breathed in the poison, immediately move them to fresh air.
If your oven surface finish is compatible, spray the back of the oven interior first, followed by side walls, ceiling, floor and door. Ensure surfaces are covered with a generous amount of product.
Odor and smoke when you turn on an oven for the first time is normal and not harmful. The best way to eliminate the smell is to run an empty cycle. It is recommended that you do not cook any food before this cycle as the smell and, potentially, the taste can stick with your food.
Chemical Oven Cleaners:
Chemical cleaners can leave behind residues and fumes that may affect the taste and safety of your food. Wait Time: Typically, it's recommended to wait at least 1-2 hours after cleaning with a chemical oven cleaner before using the oven again.
Creating a homemade air freshener by simmering lemon peels in water can smell great, masking and eventually eliminating chemical odors. Similarly, wiping down surfaces with a mixture of lemon juice and water not only cleans but also leaves behind a naturally refreshing scent.
After 2 hours, remove the Easy-Off foam using a sponge or microfiber cloth dampened with clean water. Don't use any other cleaning solutions at the same time you use Easy-Off oven cleaner. You may need to rinse out the sponge or cloth frequently until all the cleaner has been removed.
Mix baking soda with water until you get a thick paste. “Spread it all over the oven like you're giving it a facial. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight, and it'll absorb those leftover smells like a champ,” Webber explains. “Afterwards, wipe it all off with a damp cloth.
Tips for Safe Post-Cleaning Cooking
Perform a Test Run: If you used chemical cleaners, consider running the oven empty at a moderate temperature for 15-30 minutes to burn off any remaining fumes.
Door is locked during the Self-Clean cycle
The oven will need to cool to approximately 200°F (95°C) before the door will open. Allow the oven to cool, for approximately 30-90 minutes, move the latch arm to the left to unlock the door.
Can You Use Oven Cleaner on a Self-Cleaning Oven? You should not use any commercial oven cleaner, since they may damage the interior of the oven, and may reduce the effectiveness of the self-cleaning cycle over time.
Hard Surface Floors
NOTE: Scrub with a strong solution of Washing (Sal) Soda or detergent and water. Rinse well and dry. Never use soap on these surfaces.
If concerned about an alkaline product, vinegar (which itself is diluted acetic acid) would be a great at-home solution for neutralization. Regular white vinegar is usually 3-5% acetic acid and should neutralize things just fine.
Generally self-cleaning ovens are safe if used correctly, but concerns include high temperatures and fumes. Self-cleaning ovens can produce dangerous fumes into the air with an unpleasant burning smell. Self-cleaning ovens reach high temperatures and emit fumes from the burning of food particles and enamel lining.
If you open the oven door and the interior feels warm or hot, this can be normal. The oven interior is designed to retain heat, even several hours after the oven has been turned off after cooking.
Additionally, users run a risk of inhaling harmful carbon monoxide during an oven's self clean cycle. . As we mentioned with the fumes, keeping some windows and doors open can help limit this risk. It's also a great idea to always have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home, just in case.