What is Selleys Oven Clean, and where should you use it?
Selleys Oven Clean is a heavy duty, caustic-based aerosol oven cleaner that cuts through tough baked-on grease and grime without scrubbing. It comes in a 350 g aerosol can and is used on interior oven surfaces only.
The headline feature is the two-speed approach. In a cold oven it works in 30 minutes. In an oven that has been warmed to no more than 90°C and then turned off, it delivers a 4 minute Power Clean. Both routes are covered below, and each has a limit you must not exceed.
The thing to understand before you buy: this is a caustic-based product, and that shapes everything about how it is used. Long rubber gloves and eye protection are not optional, the exclusion list of surfaces it must not touch is long, and it must never go into a self-cleaning, continuous-cleaning or microwave oven.
Which method to use: 4 minutes warm, or 30 minutes cold
The warm method is faster, but it is the one with the tighter tolerances at both ends. Heat the oven to no more than 90°C — Selleys warns that overheating may affect oven surfaces — then turn the oven off and extinguish all pilot lights before applying anything. Once applied, leave it for 4 minutes and no more than 4 minutes.
The cold method has far more room in it. Apply to a cold oven, leave for 30 minutes, and the stated maximum is 12 hours. That difference is worth thinking about when you plan the job: the cold method tolerates you being distracted, and the warm method does not. If you are cleaning while cooking dinner or supervising children, use the cold oven method.
Either way, heat is what makes the difference in speed, so the warm route is the one to use when you want the oven back quickly and can stand there and watch the clock.
How to apply it
- Check your oven's instruction manual and the manufacturer's instructions first. This product is caustic based, and not every oven interior is compatible with it.
- Work in a well ventilated area. Avoid breathing in the mist, and avoid skin and eye contact.
- Wear long rubber gloves and eye protection.
- Extinguish all pilot lights and make sure the oven is off before using.
- Choose your method. For the 4 minute Power Clean, heat the oven to no more than 90°C, turn it off, and apply. For a 30 minute clean, use the product in a cold oven.
- Place a folded paper towel between the bottom of the drawer and the oven to prevent possible seepage.
- Shake the can well before and during use, and spray liberally. Start with the roof and finish with the oven door. Do not use it on the glass of the oven door. Clean oven racks on a draining board. Make sure surfaces are well coated with foam.
- Close the door and let it stand — 4 minutes if the oven has been warmed, or 30 minutes in a cold oven. Do not leave it more than 4 minutes in a warm oven, or more than 12 hours in a cold oven.
- Wipe clean with a damp cloth. A Selleys Super Cloth is ideal. Make sure the oven is thoroughly rinsed before use.
- Do not light pilot lights or use the oven until cleaning has been completed.
- Reheat the oven and ventilate before using it, to ensure no residues remain.
Starting at the roof and working down to the door is deliberate. Foam runs downward, so spraying the roof first means the run-off lands on surfaces you have not yet done rather than on ones you have already coated and timed.
Limitations — where it must NOT be used
This is the most important section on the page. Selleys' stated exclusions are:
- Not suitable for self-cleaning or continuous-cleaning ovens, or microwave ovens.
- Do not use on the glass of the oven door.
- Avoid spraying it on pilot lights, electrical connections, switches, heating elements, fan grills or blades, thermostats, or rubber seals.
- Do not spray it on exterior oven surfaces, bench tops, aluminium, copper, linoleum, painted surfaces, plastic, glass, chrome, galvanised steel, or damaged or scratched non-stick cookware and bakeware.
- Check the oven manufacturer's directions before using the oven cleaner.
- Do not overheat the oven for the warm method — no more than 90°C, as surfaces may otherwise be affected.
Read that second-last list again if you are working in a compact kitchen. The bench top, the oven's own outside, and anything aluminium or painted nearby are all on it. The overspray from an aerosol travels further than people expect, so it is worth covering the surrounds and the floor in front of the oven before you start.
Hazard classification
Oven Clean carries the signal word Danger — the most severe level under GHS — and is a Poison Schedule S6 product. It is a caustic cleaner in an aerosol can, which means it combines a corrosion hazard with a pressure and flammability hazard.
- Skin corrosion — Category 1A and eye damage — Category 1. Hazard statement H314: causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- Aerosols — Category 1. H223: flammable aerosol. H229: pressurised container, may burst if heated.
- Corrosive to metals — Category 1. H290: may be corrosive to metals.
H314 is a burn, not an irritation. The difference between this and a general-purpose cleaner is that a splash on skin or in an eye causes damage immediately rather than discomfort that builds — which is why the first aid below is measured in fifteen-minute flushes and a hospital trip, not a rinse.
The "corrosive to metals" classification also has a practical edge: this product attacks aluminium and other reactive metals. It is formulated for the enamelled steel interior of an oven, not for the oven's aluminium trim, and not for self-cleaning or catalytic liners.
What is in it
| Chemical entity | CAS number | Proportion (w/w) |
|---|---|---|
| Butane | 106-97-8 | 10–30% |
| Propane | 74-98-6 | 10–30% |
| 1-propoxy-2-propanol | 1569-01-3 | 1–10% |
| Ethanol | 64-17-5 | 1–10% |
| EDTA tetrasodium salt | 64-02-8 | 1–10% |
| Monoethanolamine | 141-43-5 | 1–10% |
Monoethanolamine is the caustic component doing the cleaning. Butane and propane are the propellant — together 20–60% of the can — and they are why an oven cleaner is classified as a flammable aerosol. This is why the directions insist the oven is switched off and all pilot lights extinguished before anything is applied — including on the warm method, where the oven is heated to no more than 90 °C and then turned off. Spraying a hydrocarbon propellant near a live element or a standing pilot flame is the specific scenario the flammability classification exists for.
Protection and ventilation
- Gloves — nitrile rubber for intermittent contact; assess against your own conditions.
- Safety glasses — this product causes serious eye damage, and you are spraying upward into an enclosed cavity.
- Overalls and safety shoes.
- Respirator where an inhalation risk exists or ventilation is limited.
Ventilate the room properly and use local exhaust where you have it. The vapour is heavier than air and pools in hollows, so do not put your head into the oven cavity while spraying, and do not work in a confined space. Wash hands before eating, drinking or smoking, and wash contaminated clothing and equipment before reuse.
First aid
| Exposure | What to do |
|---|---|
| Eyes | Irrigate immediately with copious water for at least 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open. Remove contaminated clothing and wash the skin. Urgently seek medical assistance and go to hospital. Because the product is caustic, eye contact can cause corneal burns and permanent loss of vision. |
| Skin | Remove all contaminated clothing immediately and wash the affected area with plenty of water. Seek medical attention — this product causes severe burns rather than irritation. |
| Inhalation | Move the person to fresh air away from exposure, keep them at rest and warm, and seek medical advice if effects persist. |
| Swallowed | Do not induce vomiting. Rinse the mouth with water and seek immediate medical attention. |
If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or the Poisons Information Centre — 131 126 in Australia, 0800 764 766 in New Zealand — and have the container with you. For an emergency involving a Selleys product, the emergency line is 1800 220 770 in Australia and 0800 220 770 in New Zealand.
Common questions about Selleys Oven Clean
How long do I leave it on?
4 minutes in a warm oven, or 30 minutes in a cold one. Never more than 4 minutes in a warm oven, and never more than 12 hours in a cold oven.
How hot should the oven be for the fast clean?
No more than 90°C. Heat it, turn it off, extinguish all pilot lights, then apply. Do not overheat — surfaces may be affected.
Do I need to scrub?
No. It is formulated to cut through baked-on grease and grime without scrubbing. For stubborn patches, reapply the product rather than attacking it with a scourer.
Can I use it in a self-cleaning oven?
No. It is not suitable for self-cleaning or continuous-cleaning ovens, or for microwave ovens.
Can I use it on the oven door glass?
No. Do not use it on the glass of the oven door, and do not spray it on glass generally.
What about the oven racks?
Clean oven racks on a draining board rather than in place.
What protective gear do I need?
Long rubber gloves and eye protection, in a well ventilated area. Avoid breathing in the mist and avoid skin and eye contact.
Is it safe on my benchtop?
No. Do not spray it on bench tops, exterior oven surfaces, aluminium, copper, linoleum, painted surfaces, plastic, glass, chrome or galvanised steel.
Can I use it on my baking trays?
Do not use it on damaged or scratched non-stick cookware or bakeware.
Can I use the oven straight after cleaning?
No. Do not light pilot lights or use the oven until cleaning has been completed, make sure the oven is thoroughly rinsed, and reheat and ventilate it before use to ensure no residues remain.
What size can does it come in?
A 350 g aerosol.
What if some patches do not come clean?
Reapply the product to those patches. For everyday spills between deep cleans, Selleys Oven Wipes are the lighter-duty option, and Selleys Oven Plus Heavy Duty Gel is the no-fumes alternative.
What is Selleys Oven Clean and what technology does it use?
Selleys Oven Clean is a 350g aerosol can product formulated for interior oven cleaning that uses caustic-based technology to remove stubborn grease and grime from ovens.
What size and appearance does Selleys Oven Clean have?
Selleys Oven Clean comes in a 350g aerosol can and is colourless in appearance.
Can Selleys Oven Clean be used on self-cleaning or microwave ovens?
No, Selleys Oven Clean is not suitable for self/continuous cleaning ovens or microwave ovens. Users should check the oven manufacturer's directions before using the cleaner.
What surfaces should be avoided when using Selleys Oven Clean?
Avoid spraying Selleys Oven Clean on pilot lights, electrical connections, switches, heating elements, fan grills or blades, thermostats, or rubber seals. Do not spray it on exterior oven surfaces, bench tops, aluminium, copper, linoleum, painted surfaces, plastic, glass, chrome, galvanised steel, or damaged/scratched non-stick cookware/bakeware. It should also not be used on the glass of the oven door.
How do I use Selleys Oven Clean for a fast clean versus a standard clean?
For an extra fast 4-minute Power Clean, heat the oven to no more than 90°C, turn it off, and apply the product, letting it stand for 4 minutes. For a standard 30-minute clean, apply the product in a cold oven and let it stand for 30 minutes (up to a maximum of 12 hours in a cold oven).
What safety precautions should be taken when using Selleys Oven Clean?
Use Selleys Oven Clean in a well-ventilated area, avoid breathing in the mist, and avoid skin and eye contact. Wear long rubber gloves and eye protection, extinguish all pilot lights, and ensure the oven is off before using. Do not overheat the oven as surfaces may be affected, and do not light pilot lights or use the oven until cleaning is completed.
What are the full directions for using Selleys Oven Clean?
First, check the oven instruction manual before using this caustic-based product and do not use in self/continuous cleaning or microwave ovens; wear long rubber gloves and eye protection. Extinguish all pilot lights and ensure the oven is off. For a fast 4-minute clean, heat the oven to no more than 90°C then turn off and apply; for a 30-minute clean, use in a cold oven. Place folded paper towel between the bottom of the drawer and oven to prevent seepage. Shake the can well before and during use, spray liberally starting with the roof and finishing with the door (not the door glass), and clean oven racks on a draining board, ensuring surfaces are well coated with foam. Close the door and let stand 4 minutes (warm oven) or 30 minutes (cold oven), not exceeding 4 minutes warm or 12 hours cold. Wipe clean with a damp cloth—A Selleys Super Cloth is ideal—and ensure the oven is thoroughly rinsed before use. Do not light pilot lights or use the oven until cleaning is completed, then reheat and ventilate the oven before using to ensure no residues remain.
What cloth does Selleys recommend for wiping the oven clean after using Oven Clean?
Selleys recommends using a Selleys Super Cloth, described as ideal for wiping the oven clean with a damp cloth after treatment.
How should oven racks be cleaned when using Selleys Oven Clean?
Oven racks should be cleaned on a draining board while using Selleys Oven Clean.
What should be done to the oven after cleaning with Selleys Oven Clean and before using it again?
After cleaning, the oven should be thoroughly rinsed, and then reheated and ventilated before use to ensure no residues remain.