Accidentally turned on oven with Easy Off oven cleaner? We’ve all been there – in a cleaning frenzy and not paying close attention.
The most important thing is not to run the self-cleaning cycle. As this could only worsen the fumes! Keep the oven door open, turn on your kitchen vent or open some windows.
Avoid using the oven for at least 24 hours while the cleaner evaporates. Once the smell is gone, do a test run with the oven on 300 F for 30 minutes.
It will help to burn off any remaining residue before cooking your next meal. Accidents happen, but with some ventilation and patience, your oven will be good as new.
Do Not Panic – Turn Off the Oven Immediately
Accidentally turning on your oven while Easy Off oven cleaner is still inside can be frightening.
First, open the oven door and turn off the oven right away.
Don’t run the exhaust fan, which can spread toxic fumes in your kitchen. Keep the area well-ventilated by opening windows and using fans to blow air outside.
Next, wipe out as much of the oven cleaner as possible. Try using damp cloths or paper towels and discard. Avoid inhaling any fumes. Wear gloves and eye protection.
Once you’ve wiped out most of the cleaner, run the empty oven through 2-3 cycles at high heat. It will help to burn off any remaining residue before using it again.
The high heat will break down and eliminate the chemicals. Run an exhaust fan and keep the area ventilated during this process.
If you experience nausea, dizziness, or difficulty breathing from exposure to the fumes, get fresh air immediately and call poison control.
Oven cleaner contains harsh chemicals like lye that can cause respiratory issues and irritation.
Ventilate and Air Out the Area
The fumes from oven cleaners are nasty and dangerous, so ventilating the area is a top priority.
Open all windows and use fans to pull the fumes out of the kitchen and vent them outside.
Run the exhaust fan over your stove on high if you have one. Place fans in nearby rooms facing outward to create airflow from the house.
You’ll also want to avoid the area as much as possible.
Stay out of the kitchen and limit time in adjacent rooms. The fumes can cause irritation to your eyes, nose, and throat.
Run the oven fan to help clear out the fumes, then air out and deodorize the space.
Baking soda, activated charcoal, coffee grounds, and natural essential oils like lemon or lavender can help absorb and eliminate odors.
Place open containers of these around the kitchen.
If the smell persists or you feel unwell from exposure, staying elsewhere for the night may be best. The fumes can linger for up to 24 hours after venting, so patience is vital.
By following these steps to ventilate, air out, and deodorize the space, you can clear the hazardous fumes from your oven cleaner accident and make the kitchen safe to use again.
The inconvenience will be well worth avoiding exposure to those nasty chemicals! Stay safe, and always double-check that the oven is off before using oven cleaner.
Deep Clean Your Oven Before Using it Again
Now that you’ve aired out and cleaned up the mess from accidentally turning on your oven with Easy Off oven cleaner, it’s time to deep clean your oven before using it again.
Remove Racks and Trays
Pull out all oven racks, trays, and accessories to thoroughly clean every inch of the oven.
Soak racks and trays in hot, soapy water to loosen baked-on grease and grime. Scrub with an abrasive sponge or steel wool, then rinse and dry completely.
Wipe Down Interior
Use a heavy-duty degreaser or commercial oven cleaner and hot water to wipe down the entire oven interior—walls, ceiling, door, seal, and hinges.
Pay extra attention to any areas where oven cleaner may have dripped or spilled. Rinse well with water to remove all cleaning product residue.
Deep Clean Door Seal
The oven door seal or gasket is often overlooked but can harbor baked-on messes and grease.
Use a toothbrush to scrub the entire seal.
For stubborn stuck-on debris, make a paste from baking soda and water and scrub with the paste using the toothbrush. Rinse and wipe clean with a damp sponge or cloth.
Scrub Off Any Remaining Debris
If any remaining burnt bits or debris in the oven don’t come off with wiping and scrubbing, make a paste from baking soda and water.
Apply the paste to stuck areas and let sit for several hours or overnight.
The baking soda will help loosen the stuck-on mess so you can scrub it off more easily. Rinse well when done scrubbing.
Test and Re-Season Oven
Once your oven is sparkling clean again, test that everything works properly.
Then re-season the oven by coating the interior with oil and heating at 350 F for about an hour. Wipe out the excess oil with a cloth, and your oven will be ready to use again safely!
Conclusion
These are just a few easy steps to get your oven back in working order after accidentally turning it on with Easy Off inside.
Mistakes happen, but now you know how to remedy the situation and avoid damage.
Once you’ve aired out your kitchen and wiped everything down, you’ll be baking cookies again.
Just remember for next time – spray the cleaner, let it sit, wipe it out, then run an empty oven cycle before using it to cook.
As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Stay safe and happy baking!