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If you want your kitchen countertops to look as good as new, it seems like oven cleaner would be the way to go. After all, that's what it's made for – cleaning up grime and grease on your stovetop and other surfaces that can get dirty with kitchen use over time. But does it actually work? What does the research say about this cleaning method? And most importantly, will using oven cleaner on your countertops really do more harm than good? We'll look at these issues and more in this article on the effect of oven cleaner on kitchen countertops.

Oven Cleaners Contain Lye, Which Can Eat Away at Your Countertop.

Most homeowners don't know that ordinary oven cleaners can be harmful to your countertop. The chemicals in these products will remove stuck-on grease and grime, but they can also attack your countertop's finish and harm its overall durability if you use them too often. If you don't want to spend big bucks on professional cleaning, it's best to stick with an all-purpose cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and water. These alternatives are not only safe for your counters, but they also keep costs down—which is crucial when you need to clean up after a messy recipe gone wrong!

Never Use an Abrasive on Laminate Counters.

Don't use abrasive cleaners on laminate counters. The grit in these cleaners will quickly damage your counter's finish, dulling it and leaving marks. If you have stains on your laminate counters, try scrubbing them with baking soda, water, and vinegar instead. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe up any residue or dirt that remains.

It's better to simply wipe down the surface and remove stains with ammonia and baking soda. If you've got a thick layer of baked-on food and grime, you may be tempted to grab an oven cleaner and give it a try. However, kitchen countertops are not exactly made to withstand chemical treatment. Depending on which cleaner you choose, there's also a chance that your countertop may sustain permanent damage—which is something most people aren't aware of until they try it themselves! If your primary concern is removing stains and keeping your countertop clean looking in between deep cleanings, consider wiping down your surface with warm water or even ammonia and baking soda. The latter combination can remove stubborn stains without damaging your countertop.

Vinegar Is Your Friend, Especially If You Have Hard Water.

Vinegar can be used as a de-greaser, cleaning agent, and scrubbing tool to give your kitchen countertop an extra shine. The acetic acid reacts with lime and rust deposits on surfaces to neutralize them without reacting with moisture. Simply apply undiluted vinegar with a clean cloth or sponge and wipe off any residue. Then rinse away any remaining residue to ensure it doesn't discolor countertops.

Conclusion

Research and scientific testing show that even though there are commercial cleaners on the market designed to clean countertops, oven cleaner will leave your countertop covered in a layer of harmful residue. The bottom line is, it's best to avoid cleaning your countertops with toxic chemicals. Instead, use some elbow grease and get scrubbing! It might take longer than 15 minutes, but it will be safer for you and better for your home's resale value.