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About Oven Cleaners

Common hazardous ingredients
Ethers, ethylene glycol, lye (sodium and potassium hydroxide), methylene chloride, petroleum distillates, pine oil

Potential hazards
Corrosive to skin, eyes and internal organs

Use and storage
Avoid aerosol cleaners. Adequate protection from vapors is difficult. Follow all label directions. Wear an apron, heavy rubber or nitrile gloves and chemical splash goggles. A respirator is recommended if the product contains sodium or potassium hydroxide and is in an aerosol can. Use with correct cartridge and filter. Use kitchen exhaust fan and open several windows to provide adequate fresh air. When not in use, keep in a secure place.

Disposal
Best: Use up or give away. Dispose of empty, nonaerosol containers in the garbage.
Second Best: Hold for a household hazardous waste collection. In Oregon, call 1-800-732-9253 to find out if there is a hazardous waste collection event scheduled in your community, or call your garbage hauler, local government solid waste department or the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality at (503) 229-5913 or toll-free at 1-800-452-4011.

Alternatives

  • Put a sheet of aluminum foil on the oven floor away from the heating element. When baking a pie or other dish on the upper rack, place a cookie sheet below it on the lower rack to catch drips.
  • Clean up spills as soon as the oven cools. They are much harder to remove after they have baked on.
  • Use a nonchlorinated scouring powder, a pumice stick or a copper or steel wool scrubbing pad.  A blunt knife is useful for prying up large crusty materials.
  • Use a self-cleaning oven.



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