Mr Muscle Oven Cleaner, 300ml (Pack of 1)

Product Information

It’s non-caustic, containing anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants and EDTA (a chelating agent) as well as pleasant-smelling limolene to do its work. Despite this, it still advises the use of gloves and eye protection and suggest between 15-60 minutes to do its work. One issue we had with the cleaner is that because it’s a liquid, it dribbled off the sides of our oven shortly after spraying. It was otherwise easy to apply in a few spritzes but the floor of the oven definitely ended up with more coverage. After 45 minutes, it had shifted the large burnt-on patches on the bottom, where the solution seemed to have soaked in well. In testing, we enjoyed the fruity smell and found that it worked quite well on smaller greasy patches but didn’t remove very burnt-on dirt the first time – this needed repeat applications. It also required more effort than most to apply it and thoroughly rinse away (as it foamed a little with water) so there wasn’t any residue left. The remainder of the cleaning solution can be used to clean inside the oven, which melts grease away in four hours. The solution contains anionic and amphoteric surfactants and is caustic, so requires some care while using. We especially liked the rotating safety catch on the nozzle that prevented it from being sprayed by accident. Inside, there’s biodegradable foam that contains anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants and phosphonates (a chelating agent).

When the time is up, open the door and wipe the oven out thoroughly with a damp cloth to remove all traces of the cleaner. Wear rubber gloves to do this. Other ingredients you’re likely to find are anionic surfactants (chemicals you’d usually find in laundry detergents and body washes), non-ionic surfactants (also found in laundry and dishwasher detergents) and chelating agents that help the cleaning chemicals along and may also help to prevent scale.

On the plus side, the cleaner can stay on for up to 24 hours, which would be handy for a weekend cleaning session. It was also straightforward to wipe away with a damp cloth as it didn’t foam. For stubborn stains or heavily soiled ovens, you may not be able to get it clean with a leave-on detergent. The foam is both caustic and smells strongly of chemicals – you’ll also find anionic surfactants and aliphatic hydrocarbons (degreasing solvents) in the mix. After using an oven cleaner, rinse the surfaces and door and wipe dry. To make sure there’s no remaining product and to remove the cleaner’s smell, heat the oven to 200C for at least 10 minutes before cooking.

For use on oven interiors only. For use on cold ovens only. Do not use on self-cleaning ovens, microwave ovens, hot ovens, exterior surfaces, chrome, aluminium, zinc, copper, plastic or polished/lacquered surfaces.

Reviews

The cleaner was easy to spray on as long as the bottle remained upright (tipping it to reach corners caused the spray to falter). After 30 minutes we wiped it away. The first layer of grease had been penetrated and was removed but some burnt patches remained. If you're feeling brave, you can remove the front door of your oven by unscrewing it and taking out the glass to clean it fully. Pop a towel down on the floor to lay it down safely.

We had to reapply and leave overnight to start to shift some of the worst deposits but the result still wasn’t spotless. For reasons of hygiene and safety, personal grooming products, cosmetics or items of intimate clothing cannot be returned. Instead of using caustic chemicals to do the job, it employs a slightly abrasive paste and included sponge to remove burnt-on food, while giving off a lovely orangey scent. As it’s not caustic or harsh, containing just soap and limolene, there’s no need to wear gloves, but given that it’s abrasive, you might want to pop a pair on to protect your manicure. Many people are sensitive to the harsh fumes released by household detergents. Mr Muscle Oven Cleaner is a powerful agent and can create some very strong fumes, so we recommend only using the product in well-ventilated areas. Open all windows and doors in the kitchen for the duration of the application, and keep pets and children away from the area. How to apply Mr MuscleTo make cleaning easier next time, consider lining your oven with an oven liner to catch any spills and splashes. How we test oven cleaners Always follow the instructions on your can. There is more than one type of Mr Muscle Oven Cleaner and they may have slightly different instructions. Never spray it on the oven trim or seals, pilot light or heating element as the chemicals could damage these parts. Prepare your oven properly It contains sodium etasulfate (a low-foaming anionic surfactant) and caustic soda, so you’ll need to don eye protection and gloves when you use it but on the plus side, it’s odourless and inoffensive to use.