The countertop is the base on which any kitchen is supported. In the first place, because the two essential elements of this room are integrated into it: the cooking zone or plate and the washing area. Second, because tasks are performed on it that require a clean and resistant to shock and high temperatures.
Grease, food splatters, persistent stains. These are your kitchen’s best rivals. While they pay your countertops a visit, it surely takes more than an uncomplicated wiping to give your working surface that shiny look you desire.
Somebody turns to their oven cleaners for help. But, before you decide to let its heavy chemicals eliminate the dirt from your countertops, you need to know how the oven cleaner can affect the place you put your food on.
Countertops can become a great thing your kitchen ever had, as well as the most annoying thing. It becomes annoying if the dirt, stains, or grease stick to it. What would you do to clean it? Some of you maybe use oven cleaner, because it has a strong effect to clean those persistent stains. But, do you know what effect of oven cleaner on kitchen countertops? Know it first, before you use it.
The Oven Cleaner Chemicals
Have you ever wondered how the oven cleaner can make your old oven looks like a new one? The answer is the chemical inside the cleaner. It has a very strong chemical, such as hydroxide, diethylene glycol mono butyl ether, butane, and monoethanolamine (MEA). They are capable of scrap off all the stain and rust from your oven and make it looks like a new one.
Unfortunately, those chemicals can be considered to be heavy chemicals. That means they are toxic. Maybe, you don’t put any foods or ingredient directly on top of your oven. But, the kitchen countertop is different. You prepare your food on it; your family touches it and eats on it.
Cleaning countertops using oven cleaner will make those dangerous chemical get absorbed by the countertops material. It’s not all, though. However, if it’s accumulated, it can harm you and your family.
The Damage
The kitchen countertops have the protection layer. This protection layer is so thin and it protects the material from damage, such as scratch or bump. However, the oven cleaner with its heavy and strong chemical can damage this layer. In the end, the kitchen countertops material will be exposed.
With no protection, your kitchen countertop will be damaged easily. Moreover, the small pieces of food ingredient also can be left behind. It can cause mold and harm to your health.
Of course, the most dangerous effect of the damage is the oven cleaner chemical itself. The chemical will be absorbed easier. And, it also affects the food ingredients you prepare on top of the countertops.
The Effect on the Different Materials of Countertops
You can find many kinds of material used for kitchen countertops. The oven cleaner can affect each of those materials differently, such as:
- Wooden countertops – it will make the finish layer become softer and damage the wood under it. You will need to refinish the surface to fix it.
- Tile countertops – the oven cleaner can damage the glazing layer. Without this layer, your countertops will get damaged easier.
- Stone countertops – This material actually is the strongest against the chemical. However, there is still risk that the oven cleaner chemical can dull the appearance.
- Formica countertops – the chemical will damage your kitchen countertops color.
Conclusion
With so many damaging effects that oven cleaner can cause to your kitchen countertops, you shouldn’t use it for your countertops. Use the natural cleaners. It’s much safer and healthier. You also can find many products for cleaning kitchen countertops. Use them to prevent any damage.
