Top 10 Awesome DIY Paint Projects You Can do This Weekend

Nothing makes a weekend more enjoyable than adding a great DIY project to make your favorite room pop! Introducing a splash of color or a new design feature can really change the whole feel of a home. If you are in need of some inspiration or are just looking for touch of dimension, take a look at these top 10 DIY paint projects.

01 Say Hello to Stencils

If you're ready to make a style statement with your accent wall, consider using a wall stencil to add a bit of depth into your accent wall. A wall stencil DIY project gives you complete control of choosing your favorite design and paint colors with an end result everyone will love! There are many simple DIY paint projects that creates big changes with a little bit of paint. To pull your room's design together, repeat your accent wall pattern with a matching area rug or pillow fabrics.

02 In With the Old, Out With the New

Even the most beautiful old furniture can benefit from a color makeover. If you have a piece of furniture that you love but are seriously wondering if it still fits your style, try this DIY paint update project. The key to a stunning paint makeover is adding a pop of unexpected color. For a hutch or buffet, painted shelves in a bold color are highlighted by a more serious color on the outside. A bookcase can be updated by painting the inside back or interior shelves with a pop of color. For a longer lasting paint job, safely strip existing coating first to ensure you are receiving the best results. You can count on EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper to get the removal job done quickly and efficiently! 

03 Just a Splash

Painting over your plain white ceiling is a subtle way to add color to any room. Dining and living rooms are the perfect spots for ceiling color, especially with a trayed ceiling or decorative molding that separates the new paint color from the walls. Though painting your ceiling can be a DIY painting project, make sure you have the right tools and patience to complete your project!

04 Let's Add Some Fun

Dry Erase Paint will give you unlimited color options for a DIY writing and drawing surface in your home. Any kitchen, home office, or studio would be the perfect spot for a colorful dry-erase surface to help you stay organized or be more creative. Turn a piece of furniture, a section of your wall or door, into a colorful dry-erase board with just a few coats of paint. 

05 Chalk It Out 

Imagine the possibilities for your home when you try a chalkboard paint DIY project. Chalkboard paint can be used on walls, inside cabinet doors, and even on furniture. With the advances in chalkboard paint, you can now get it in most paint colors too!

06 Bright and Bold 

Updating your front door with a bright paint color is the top curb appeal booster for your home. Front door color inspiration can come from your garden, your home's architectural style, or your interior décor. Once you've chosen your color, you'll want to make sure you have the tools and the instructions for this DIY project before you begin. For a longer-lasting paint job, safely strip existing coatings first! My favorite safer stripper is EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper!

07 Unexpected Dimension 

Your furniture doesn't have to be an heirloom or designer piece to be stylish. Laminate furniture can be transformed with paint. You can paint your laminate furniture in one great color, try a color-block design, or even a pattern. 

08 Trendy Accents 

Everyone knows that accent walls are one of the easiest ways to transform any room with color. Adding an accent wall is a simple way to add an accent color to a tired color palette, or add a focal point to a room without any architectural features. Any color can be used for your accent wall DIY paint project, but be sure to plan out your color palette first so that you can tie everything together. 

09 It's Time for a Makeover! 

Most two-story homes have a small bathroom downstairs that was designed for convenience. Though this bathroom may not be used exclusively by guests, there is no reason not to express your dramatic side by creating a stunning powder room.

The fun of decorating this tiny bathroom is that it is the one room in your home that doesn't have to "look bigger." You can choose whatever paint color you like as long as you have the right lighting. Powder rooms are where you can express your style without a thought to the rest of the house. Choose a favorite color, replace a boring mirror with a pretty framed one, and add decorative accents for a simple bathroom makeover.

10 Mix and Match 

Throw pillows are the quickest and easiest way to add a pop of color or pattern to any room. More than an afterthought, throw pillows are the finishing touch when you decorate a room. If you want to totally customize your space, try the throw pillow stencil designs from paintapillow.com. With their unique system, choice of modern and romantic designs, and fabric paint color selection, you can create a completely customized style at home.

Thanks for reading! If you liked this post and want some more of the good stuff be sure to subscribe to our EZ Strip Blog today.

Top 5 Tough Spring Cleaning Tasks

 

Spring is here and we're all feeling the itch to wipe away the winter dust so to speak. But we all have those tougher clean-up tasks we've been putting on hold. Here are some of the top tough cleaning tasks with some tips to help get the job done this Spring.

1 Oven Cleaning

Oven cleaning falls into the out of sight out of mind category sometimes. Keep in mind a dirty oven can transfer unpleasant odors and flavors to your food so not the best task to put off. If you have a self-cleaning oven, it is perfectly acceptable to use it if the oven is only slightly dirty. After around two hours, you are left with white ash in the bottom of the oven that you must clean away once the oven unlocks and is cool.

If your oven is very dirty with baked-on food, the self-cleaning feature will not work well. Too much grease and food residue can smoke and even catch fire. You should never leave home with the self-cleaning function engaged. The best way to clean an oven for you will depend on the kind of ingredients you'd like to use, and how dirty your oven is to start. Commercial oven cleaners can be quite harsh. Here is our recommendation for a safe removal option: EZ Strip All Purpose Remover.

2 Re-Paint the Front Door

If you were to ask any paint manufacturer, "is painting best done when the weather is mild outside, typically above 10°C and not too humid?" They would say "YES!" If your front door has seen better days, it might be a good time to give it a fresh coat of paint. For best results, remove the door from the hinges and remove all of its hardware. Give it a good cleaning to allow the paint to adhere properly, and scrape off any buildups of paint or areas where the old paint is chipping off. For multiple thick/damaged paint layers, try a DIY-friendly paint stripper to give your door a long-lasting paint job. 

Please note that traditional paint strippers can be very toxic and require special protective equipment. Our recommendation is EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper. If your home was built before 1979, check the paint for lead before you scrape or sand. For more information, go to health-canada/lead-based-paint

3 Tune-Up Outdoor Gas Grills

No matter what your recipe is, the best burgers are cooked on a clean, well-maintained grill. Before cookout season kicks off, give your grill a once-over. Look for food drippings and grease buildup on the exterior grill. Scrub these spots clean with warm soapy water to avoid attracting pests. Clean the grates and interior thoroughly to remove any drippings and grease. A shop vacuum can work great to remove burnt food from the bottom interior of the BBQ. For very dirty BBQ grates, soak them in EZ Strip All Purpose Remover before scrubbing with warm water. Finally, clean the drip pan thoroughly with warm, soapy water. 

4 Community Graffiti Removal 

You've been looking at the same ugly graffiti every day in your community on your commute to work and it's finally warm enough to do something about it. Leaving graffiti can encourage more property damage. Removing it quickly it can discourage repeat offenders. Getting a few neighbors together for a walk around the neighborhood to clean up graffiti can go a long way. Improve curb/community appeal even increase property values. Some graffiti removers can be very smelly and even cause mild skin burns when used without protective gloves.

EZ Strip Graffiti Remover offers a safer option for graffiti removal and cleans-up with just water!

5 Repair & Treat Wood Furniture

Is your outdoor wood furniture starting to splinter, fade, or peeling paint? Then it’s time to get those repairs in before the summertime fun begins! If it is not properly treated for water damage prevention, the project will just be more work later. For damaged water sealants or peeling paint, always strip off the damaged coating. This will ensure you are getting the proper coating adhesion to protect your wood from water, weather, pests, and wood rot. It also protects you and your family from splinters ouch! For safe DIY furniture refinishing, we recommend EZ Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper.

As the weather starts to warm up, we get more and more distracted with Summer fun! Take this perfect opportunity to clean up winter messes and the tough projects you've been putting off. Save Summer for fun in the sun and use this time to get these Spring clean up projects done before it’s too hot!

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Have You Heard About EZ Strip Yet? : The Safer Stripping Option

If you haven't heard about the most effectively advanced environmentally-friendly removal technologies provided by EZ Strip®, here's the quick rundown.  

Company Mission

EZ Strip’s mission is to provide safe alternatives to hazardous solvents used for stripping, cleaning, and surface preparation using the most advanced, patented, water-based technology. We are also interested in educating consumers, trade and industry about hazardous solvents, and how to use safer, effective alternatives.

Company Background

EZ Strip® has been involved in the industrial paint stripping business since 1972. Up until 1998, the main paint strippers and cleaners on the market were extremely toxic, carcinogenic, and hazardous for consumer health. This made Do-It-Yourself and even Professional projects difficult to do without exposing yourself to harmful fumes and toxins. In 1998, Eco Solutions, our UK parent company which had prior to this time used common hazardous stripping chemicals developed a safe alternative formula for industrial paint stripping. EZ Strip® has brought this innovative formula to North America and will continue to provide safe and effective alternatives to hazardous stripping chemicals and meet the needs of North Americans everywhere.

Removal Products 

EZ Strip's product line was developed to meet all our customer's removal needs with effective environmentally friendly options. Here are EZ Strip's most popular removal products. For the full product line list and where to buy links visit EZstripProducts  

EZ Strip® All Purpose Remover

The All-In-One tough remover you need for cleaning paint mess, glue & tape residues, stickers, baked-on grease, garage grease, graffiti, decals, gum, tree sap, and much more! EZ Strip® has developed an effective easy to use remover that cleans up with just water, is gentle on skin, and has no harsh fumes.

EZ Strip® Paint & Varnish Stripper

The ultimate safe paint stripper developed with water-based removal technology. Strip all kinds of paint, varnish, lacquer, water and grout sealant, floor wax, and much more effectively from various surfaces. EZ Strip's Paint & Varnish Stripper easy to use removal formula clings to vertical surfaces and cleans up with just water. This low VOC formula is gentle on skin, and has no harsh fumes.

EZ Strip® Popcorn Ceiling Remover

Painted popcorn ceiling texture removal is now DIY-friendly with our dust free removal formula. EZ Strip® Popcorn Ceiling Remover is specifically designed to remove painted drywall textures made with drywall mud. This includes most drywall textures like popcorn, swirl, stomp, orange peel, acoustic ceilings, etc. This removal formula is tinted blue and clings 100% to surfaces for easy application. EZ Strip® cleans up with just water, is gentle on skin, and has no harsh fumes.

EZ Strip® Graffiti Remover

Finally, a graffiti removal option that is safe to use in public spaces! Remove most types of spray paint, permanent markers & ink, decals & stickers, crayons, gum and just tough sticky stuff! Our advanced patented formula can be used effectively on most surfaces. Get the dirty removal jobs done safely. EZ Strip® Graffiti Remover is an easy-to-use convenient no-drip spray gel with a plant safe formula that cleans up with just water. Gentle on skin with no harsh fumes!

EZ Strip® Adhesive & Glue Remover

Need a glue remover that is effective AND safe to use? EZ Strip® Adhesive & Glue Remover gets the tough removal jobs done and unlike other glue removers has a low VOC skin-safe formula that cleans up with just water! Remove most types of contractor grade adhesive & glue residues, decals & stickers, tape residues, liquid nail, tree sap, gum, and much more.

The Truly Safer Removal Option

EZ Strip’s advanced water-based technology surpasses our competition with professional performance and low environmental impact. Our removal formulas are water-soluble and biodegradable. We are committed to sourcing components from local suppliers

EZ Strip® delivers leading world-patented technology designed to target the molecular bond between the coating and the surface. This process allows EZ Strip® to effectively remove most coatings from surfaces with no chemical reaction causing harmful fumes to be released from the coating during the removal process. Our easy-to-use, convenient no-drip gel tackles even the toughest stripping tasks. Unlike traditional strippers, EZ Strip® is the safer option for indoor and outdoor use around children, pets and plants!

THANK YOU FOR READING!

Learn more about EZ Strip® and where to buy here EZstrip.ca. If you would like to read more blog posts like this be sure to subscribe to our blog at EZstripBlog.

Finding Truly "GREEN" Products For You - Navigating The Sea Of Green

The demand for environmentally-friendly products is at an all-time high. This is not only in the building market but in the clothing and food industries as well. As the world wakes up to the lasting value and joy of using healthy building materials, we fully expect this trend to continue for a long time to come. But with this new demand, companies create buzzwords and claims that crashed over the retail market with a wave of greenwashing to stay competitive. We hear terms like "we're green", "Eco-friendly", "green certified", "environmentally friendly", and "green products" all the time these days. So what exactly is greenwashing and how can you navigate this sea of green products hitting the shelves? Here's some helpful info you can take to the bank!  

Greenwashing: "Disinformation disseminated by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible public image." 

Seven Signs of Greenwashing

1. The Hidden Trade-off: A claim suggesting that a product is ‘green’ based on a narrow set of attributes without attention to other important environmental issues. Paper, for example, is not necessarily environmentally-preferable just because it comes from a sustainably-harvested forest. Consider the other important environmental issues in the paper-making process, such as greenhouse gas emissions, or chlorine use in bleaching may be equally important.

2. 

   No-Proof: An environmental claim that cannot be substantiated by easily accessible supporting information or by a reliable third-party certification. A common example is products that claim various percentages of post-consumer recycled content without providing evidence. 

3. Vagueness: A claim that is so poorly defined or broad that its real meaning is likely to be misunderstood by the consumer. ‘All-natural’ is an example. Arsenic, uranium, mercury, and formaldehyde are all naturally occurring, and poisonous. ‘All natural’ isn’t necessarily ‘green’.

4. False Labels: A product that, through either words or images, gives the impression of third-party endorsement where no such endorsement exists; fake labels, in other words. 

5. 

   Irrelevance: An environmental claim that may be truthful but is unimportant or unhelpful for consumers seeking environmentally preferable products. ‘CFC-free’ is a common example, since it is a frequent claim despite the fact that CFCs are banned by law.

6. Lesser of Two Evils: A claim that may be true within the product category, but that risks distracting the consumer from the greater environmental impacts of the category as a whole. Organic cigarettes could be an example of this, as might the fuel-efficient sport-utility vehicle.

7. Fibbing: Environmental claims that are simply false. The most common example is products falsely claiming to be Energy Star certified or registered.

So now that you know the top greenwashing tactics used how do we find the truly green products you need? Here are the top 4 questions to ask before you make your purchase. If you can't find and these answers on your product's supplier website, then they might not be as green as you think.

What am I buying?

When it comes to buying heavy-duty items like building materials, stripping and cleaning chemicals, or automotive care products, a little more consideration into what you're buying goes a long way. Look for safety data sheets or SDS info on these types of products and find out what health and environmental impacts these products really pose. Will it create pollution when used or discarded?

Where is it made?

Supporting local companies has many benefits including strengthening the local economy and reducing environmental impact. Local businesses recirculate a greater share of every dollar in the local economy, as they create locally owned supply chains and invest in their employees. These businesses often make more local purchases for their products too, requiring less transportation and outsourcing. They typically consume less land, locate closer to residents and create less traffic and air pollution. All of this leads to less congestion, less habitat loss and less negative impact on the environment.

How is it made?

Take the logistics and production process into consideration. For example, you may purchase a green product made out of recycled goods. However, if that product was made with environmentally harmful methods, it make not be as green and sustainable as you may think. Truly green products are manufactured using toxic-free ingredients and environmentally-friendly procedures and are certified by recognized organizations like Energy star, Forest Stewardship Council, etc.

How is it packaged?

Some products are eco-friendly from one perspective but not from another. For example, they may be made of recycled materials but include lots of unnecessary or non-recyclable packaging. Green packaging typically is locally sourced and made from recyclable materials. It reduces your carbon footprint and environmental impact. 

When we make the effort to identify and support companies producing truly green products, it fosters a retail market with continuous improvement towards consumer and environmental health. Sustainability and environmental improvements are a collaborative efforts. Your purchase choices can make a real difference. By supporting companies implementing changes for the better, you will have a smaller carbon footprint and help reduce the number of toxins released into the environment. Future generations ultimately benefit from improved air and water quality, and fewer landfills.

EZ Strip is one such company that makes product transparency a priority. They provide truly environmentally friendly paint removal products, share SDS info, and break down how their company and products are safer for consumer health and the environment. Visit EZstrip.ca today and get truly green removal products that you can count on. 

DIY Friendly Painted Ceiling Texture Removal

Removing drywall textures that have been painted can be very difficult and EZ Strip has the DIY solution that can help! Drywall textures have many names to describe the style of texture but they are all created with drywall mud compounds. So no matter if you have popcorn, stomp, swirl, orange peel, knockdown, or any other name for your texture most are all the same when it comes to removal. Mud compound by itself is a water-soluble material that can be removed with just water. However, once it has been painted which is often the case it becomes very difficult to penetrate with homemade water solutions. 

EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover is a dust free removal gel solution that will penetrate through multiple layers of paint and soften your drywall texture. Below is everything you need to complete your removal project. Be sure to watch the how-to remove video at the end!

YOU WILL NEED:

1. EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover            (coverage is approx. 120 sq ft per gallon)
   
2. Painters Tape
3. Plastic sheeting (thin/light plastic is better)
4. Container for the product (bowl or bucket)
5. Wide brush
6. Step ladder
7. Broom
8. 6 - 10 Inch mud spatula
9. Paint tray
10. Clean cloth
11. Water 

In just 4 easy steps you can remove that bumpy lumpy impossible to clean texture off your ceilings with EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover! No matter the layers of paint or type of texture you need to remove, if it's on your ceilings or walls, drywall texture has never been easier to remove yourself!

Here's how it works... 

Extra Tips and Tricks

Shake well before use.

1. APPLY EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover to your desired area using a wide paint brush or roller.

Make sure you apply a thick even coating of EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover to the entire  entire treatment area for best results.
 
Do not overload the brush or roller during the application and apply in manageable sections to avoid the product dripping during application.

2. COVER the applied area with plastic and LET SET. A thin roll of painter's plastic is perfect for this. Tape the edges as you go and a second pair of hands is always helpful! Plastic will keep the product wet and working during your set time. Use a broom to help push air bubbles out of the plastic. 

If the product dries out during the set time it stops working so get it covered as soon as possible for best results.

Set times can vary depending on your project. 12 hours to an overnight set time is the most recommended for easiest removal.

3. SCRAPE the surface once material is softened. Be sure to find the right angle and use a wide scraper (at least 6 inches).

Catch the material in a plastic-lined painter's tray for easy clean-up. The material should scrape off easily on its own but you can always lightly spritz the area with water as you scrape to help the process. Remember to be careful on how much water or you spray as this can damage the drywall.

Scrape along the tape seems. You do not want to remove these or too much of the material that keeps them together, just the textured material on top!

4. WIPE the surface clean with a damp clean cloth or flat mop. Ensure the cloth is ringed out as too much water will damage the drywall.

Wipe surface clean of any remaining product and let dry out completely before patching and painting.

Remember that texture could be hiding imperfections in the drywall or you may gouge the surface during scraping so be prepared for touch- ups before you paint!

Remember:

• Use a wide brush for a quick application.
• Smooth out any air bubbles in the plastic for a better set.
• Test a small patch before you scrape the whole area. Let the product do the work for you and don't scrape until it’s ready. 
• Spritz with water during removal to keep the product moist while scraping.
• Scrape carefully so you don't damage the drywall paper lining.
• Scrape along the tape seems (the joints between drywall boards) and be careful not to remove them.
• Wipe the surface with a damp white clean cloth and let the surface completely dry before patching and painting.

EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover works on all kinds of drywall textures!

                                                              

Smooth ceilings and walls are just around the corner! Now you can get there on your own with a little knowledge and some elbow grease. Work in manageable sections, do the prep before you start. Put up plastic anywhere you don't want to be stripped, protect your walls (if not what you want to be stripped) and floors! Make sure you have all the tools you need before you start.

Renting complicated sanding equipment can be expensive and messy! EZ Strip Popcorn Ceiling Remover gives homeowners the chance to take back their ceilings with a low VOC dust free option from EZ Strip!

Update Your Home Today! Find EZ Strip @ EZstrip.ca

5 Eco-Friendly Ways To Remove Paint

Removing or stripping paint from any type of surface is seldom an easy job. Every surface takes paint differently and every type of paint reacts differently to the surfaces. Add in environmental conditions and paint removal takes a bit of study and, usually, some elbow grease to accomplish.

For years, most professional painters and do-it-yourselfers have relied on harsh chemical-based paint strippers. While they can do a good job, many are also highly toxic to humans and the environment. Improper use of chemical strippers can cause damage to the respiratory system, brain, nervous system, and skin.

One of the worst offenders and potentially deadly chemicals in paint strippers is methylene chloride. Major home improvement stores have pulled products that contain the chemical from their shelves, but it is still readily available.

Here are some DIY friendly paint removal options — that are kind to the environment and your lungs:

1. Dibasic Ester-Based Gel Paint Removers

One chemical achievement that is not yet widely known is the creation of Dimethyl Esters (also known as Dibasic Esters and DMEs*). They are readily biodegradable, low odor, low VOC solvents used in a wide variety of industrial and specialty applications. Dibasic esters are excellent solvent substitutes in many cleaning and stripping applications. Use of dimethyl esters and dibasic esters continues to increase due to their positive economic, environmental and performance characteristics. 

One company taking this chemical evolution by storm is EZ Strip. Providing safer solutions to chemical stripping, cleaning, and developing new removal technologies that could change the renovation and restoration industry as we know it.

2. Soy-Based Gel Paint Removers 

Soy-based paint removers contain methyl soyate, a methyl ester distilled from soybean oil. This bio-based solvent is much more sustainable and environmentally-friendly than petroleum-based products. It is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), has a low flammability, and no ozone-depleting chemicals. Safe to use on wood, concrete, and metal, soy-based gels work effectively but take a bit longer to lift the paint from the surface. 

3. Citrus-Based Paint Removers

Citrus-based paint strippers contain terpenes, organic compounds derived from plants, usually oranges. Another example of a terpene used in paint removal is turpentine produced from pine resin. Citrus-based removers typically have an orange or citrus-scent and, like soy-based gels, work more slowly in removing paint than stronger chemicals. They are safe to use on any painted or varnished surface. While these strippers are biodegradable, they do still contain some harmful chemicals and should be disposed of properly.

4. Manual Paint Removal 

Skipping any type of paint stripper may seem like the most non-toxic method to remove paint. Unfortunately, there are still some hazards from the paint itself, especially lead paint in older homes. If you choose to manually remove paint, always test for lead first and be sure to wear a mask, safety glasses, and other protective gear. There are several methods you can employ to manually remove paint.

Scrape away paint: Using a plastic or metal paint scraper is effective in removing peeling paint, but must be used carefully to prevent damaging the surface under the paint.

Use a heat gun: A heat gun can be used to loosen paint to a point where it will eventually bubble making scraping easier.

Sand away: Using an electric sander or manually removing paint with sandpaper takes patience and skill. Take care not to sand too deeply or the surfaces will be permanently marred.

5. Boiling Water & Baking Soda 

This technique works only with metal hardware, but it’s one of the easiest of all the paint removal methods. Here’s how to make this eco friendly paint remover:

• Simply place your hardware in a pot of boiling water.
• Add baking soda to the pot.
• Boil the mixture for 20 minutes.
• Finish the job by lightly scrubbing the object with a toothbrush.

TIP: Be sure to use a pot that you will not ever use for cooking to remove paint from the hardware!

Using boiling water to remove paint is an old trick. It works because metal and paint expand at different rates when heated — causing the bond between the 2 materials to break. Although using boiling water alone will sometimes work, some people swear by using a small amount of baking soda in the water — and it definitely won’t hurt to put some in.

Before you tackle a paint removal job, take time to read the labels on commercial paint strippers. In addition to methylene chloride, active ingredients that are potentially dangerous to your health include toluene, methanol, ethanol, and acetone.

There are less-toxic paint removers on the market. If you choose to use a chemical-based stripper, choose a formula that is less volatile and toxic. Read the instructions carefully and always wear protective gear including safety glasses, gloves, and a mask when recommended.

Thank you for reading! If you liked this then you might like some of our other blog posts. Be sure to subscribe to our blog at https://ezstripblog.blogspot.com/ and have a great day!

The Toxic Truth About Oven Cleaning

Cleaning your home with household cleaners and disinfectants can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Before you get out the cleaning bucket, make sure to take proper safety precautions so you don’t put yourself or your family at risk. Any cleaning product, even including air fresheners, could contain some hazardous chemicals that are not safe to breathe in. Oven cleaners are especially hazardous and can be harmful to our bodies due to the ingredients used in the product. 

The inside of your oven is among the dirtiest places in your home. Particles get baked into the sides and surfaces of the space. Since scrubbing this residue is so difficult, some people rely on chemicals to make the process less laborious. 

Considering the hazardous facts, you may not want to use your typical oven cleaner products — they could be toxic and contain the following chemicals.

Lye

It's the corrosive properties of this chemical that make lye a good cleaner; unfortunately, it’s far from a safe one. Skin and eye contact should be avoided, chemical-resistant gloves should be worn, and any oven scrubber should be aware that lye degrades organic tissue when moistened. 

Ethers

An ether is a member of a pretty large class of organic compounds. Ethers, such as medical ether, tend to be highly volatile (meaning you breathe them in), and also have solvent properties. Though nowhere near as dangerous as lye, working with ethers can still be irritating to your mucous membranes, and is best avoided. 

Ethylene Glycol

Simply put, ethylene glycol is what makes antifreeze deadly to any animal that might drink it, including humans. This compound, unlike lye and ethers, is fortunately only dangerous if ingested.

Methylene Chloride

Irritating, volatile, and smelly, methylene chloride is considered a potential workplace carcinogen. Given that information, why on earth would you want this in your house? Methylene chloride is a solvent, often used in paint strippers. It’s an excellent degreasing agent as well, so it makes sense that such stuff would be found in oven cleaner. But is a clean oven really worth the health risks?

Petroleum Distillates

Petroleum distillates is the general term applied to low to medium-grade solvents produced as a by-product from the oil refining process. Kerosene is an example. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, include petroleum distillates and others. They’re only mildly toxic, though easily inhaled (hence the “volatile” part) and definitely unhealthy to be around.

Self-Cleaning Mode: Toxic Teflon

Now you might be thinking I don't need an oven cleaner cause my oven has a self-cleaning option. Turns out, most modern ovens, especially the self-cleaning kind, are coated with Teflon or a Teflon relative. If you’re not familiar, Teflon is a member of an extremely toxic family of chemicals. Originally touted as super-safe, Teflon begins to break down and release toxic particulates when exposed to temperatures higher than 464 degrees F, and your oven gets easily twice as hot when running a self-clean cycle.

How to Clean Your Oven Safely 

Fortunately for all of us, you will not have to resort to self-clean mode, nor harmful chemicals, to achieve a clean oven. One company taking a stand on harsh chemicals in household removers is EZ Strip. No matter if you have an old neglected oven or a new ceramic top that needs a quick clean, EZ Strip All Purpose Remover is the safer and efficient alternative. Here's the recommended How-To videos for oven cleaning with EZ Strip!

Cleaning Ceramic Top Ovens with EZ Strip

Cleaning Older Style (very dirty) Ovens with EZ Strip

Get all the removal power you need without the chemicals you don't. Thanks for reading if you liked this be sure to subscribe to the EZ Strip Blog and the EZ Strip YouTube Channel today!