Oven Cleaner

1. Wipe or rinse out mouth.
2. Give a serving size of water to drink.
3. Rinse any exposed skin with lukewarm water.
4. Call 1-800-222-1222 for additional instructions.

If someone gets an oven cleaner product in the eye there can be immediate burning and stinging which requires prompt first aid to avoid an eye injury.

1. Start rinsing eye(s) with lukewarm water.
2. Call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for further recommendations.

Important note for all routes of exposure:

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO NEUTRALIZE an alkaline (or acid) substance with each other.

These reactions generate heat which can lead to more significant damage.

Quick Facts about oven cleaners

Most spray oven cleaners typically contain a strong alkaline agent, a surfactant or soap-like agent, and an abrasive. All ingredients work to break down grease and food spills, and the abrasive also helps break up the burnt-on spills so you can scour clean the oven. Oven cleaners are made from a strong alkaline chemical, meaning they have a high pH. A neutral pH is 7.0, a pH above 7.0 is alkaline and a pH below 7.0 is an acid. The further the number moves away from 7.0, the more acidic or alkaline the substance becomes. The pH of oven cleaners ranges from 12-14. You can generally associate a pH greater than 11.0 with greater injury.

Getting the oven cleaner on the skin can cause redness and irritation. If it sits on the skin without being washed off there is a chance for a chemical burn.

Getting oven cleaner sprayed into the eye will cause immediate burning and stinging. If the eye is not rinsed out right away there can be burning of the eyelids and the eye itself, and injury to the structures in the eye. If you are going to use an oven cleaner, the best practice is to read the directions provided on the product container before use and follow the directions carefully. Wearing rubber gloves and eye protection as well as working in a well-ventilated area will help to avoid unwanted exposure to the cleaner and reduce the risk of injury.

The poison center gives out first-aid advice when a person has been exposed to an oven cleaner based on the type of exposure experienced:

Skin:

You should flush exposed skin with fresh running water for several minutes.

If your skin still has a slick, slippery soap-like feeling, you must do more flushing to ensure you remove all the chemicals.

Ingestion:

Wipe your mouth with a soft wet cloth or rinse it out thoroughly. Offer a serving size of water only if the person can swallow, if they are vomiting or drooling (which indicates they are having difficulty swallowing) DO NOT FORCE FLUIDS.

Breathing in the fumes:

Somebody should only use oven cleaners in a well-ventilated space. This means opening windows or doors to allow fresh air to come in and if possible, use a ceiling or other fan to help circulate the air.

If there is any difficulty breathing or coughing, get into fresh air immediately. Offer water if the person can swallow. Don’t forget pets, these fumes are irritating to them as well.

Eye:

Flush the eye with lots of fresh, running, lukewarm water until the burning pain is relieved. If the person cannot open their eyes for a flush, you must immediately take them to an emergency department.

In all these cases, after you start first-aid, call the Missouri Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for specific advice. Although there can be serious injuries from exposure to an oven cleaner, prompt and thorough first aid is typically able to minimize the injury. The poison center is open all day, every day for poisoning emergencies and questions.

**Note: Don’t forget, every case is different. To make sure you are getting the best information for your individual situation, click below to call or chat. It is fast, free, and confidential.