A sparkling clean stovetop is not just a necessity. It also motivates me to cook and keeps me inspired to whip up a delicious meal for my family. I know. After spending hours of cooking, the last thing you’d want is a time-consuming clean-up. But with the right tools and techniques on how to clean your stovetop, all that unattractive grease and burnt-on sauce from last night’s dinner shall be gone in no time!
Tools and Natural Cleaners for Stove Tops
While you can use store-bought cleaning agents for your cooktops, I think DIY cleaners are cheaper and equally effective. Also, these cleaners use easy-to-find ingredients that are generally safe for any stovetop. Here’s a list of tools and cleaning agents that I use at home:
| TOOLS FOR CLEANING | INGREDIENTS FOR DIY CLEANERS |
| Gloves | Baking soda |
| Paper towels | Coconut or olive oil |
| Plastic tub for soaking | Dish soap |
| Spray bottle | Lemon |
| Soft sponge or microfibre cloth | Water |
| Steel wool | White vinegar |
| Razor scraper or silicone spatula |
Ways on How to Clean Dirty Stove Tops
Ready to clean? Before you get started, make sure to turn off the gas or unplug your stove first. Identify the parts that you need to clean, then match those problem areas with the right cleaning agents and method.
1. Wipe away regular spills and stains.
Usually, spills and stains settle on the stovetop cover, electric coils, knobs, burner caps and grates of your gas and electric stovetops.
SOLUTION: Soap + Water + Plastic Tub + Sponge/Microfibre Cloth
With my rubber gloves on, I carefully remove all detachable parts of my stovetop. Then in a large plastic tub, I combine a little dish soap with enough water to soak the grates and burner caps.
While soaking, pour some of your soapy water into a small basin, dip your sponge into the mixture and gently scrub all other parts of your stove. Make sure to avoid wetting any electrical connection. Wipe all cleaned surfaces with a damp cloth, then clean the grates and caps next.
2. Scrub baked-on stains.
For cleaning delicate stovetop surfaces, I recommend using a homemade baking soda paste. Aside from being food-safe and antibacterial, baking soda has a powdery texture that will not scratch glass, stainless steel or ceramic stovetops.
SOLUTION: Baking Soda + Water + Lemon Wedges + Microfibre Cloth
Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to 4 tablespoons of baking soda to create your DIY cleaning paste. Apply this paste to your stovetop parts and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Use lemon wedges to scrub away stains and leave your cooktop smelling fresh. Finish cleaning by wiping it with a damp cloth.
3. Scrape burnt food and marks.
This method is an upgraded cleaning technique using the same baking soda paste and works well on ceramic, glass or induction cooktops.
SOLUTION: Razor Scraper/Silicone Spatula + Baking Soda + Water + Sponge/Microfibre Cloth
Start by loosening tough stains and burnt food on your stovetop using a razor scraper or silicone spatula. Use a sponge to apply the cleaning paste on the burned area. Cover it with a damp rag and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Then, wipe the stovetop with a damp cloth. Repeat the same process if some stains remain.
4. Degrease surfaces and corners.
Oil splatters while frying can stick to your stovetop and, if not immediately cleaned, can attract dirt and lead to grime build-up. Solve this problem with one of these cleaning hacks.
SOLUTION 1: Coconut/Olive Oil + Paper Towel/Microfibre Cloth
SOLUTION 2: Vinegar + Water + Spray Bottle + Microfibre Cloth
To degrease your stovetop, coat the dirty surface with a little oil, then use a paper towel or dry cloth to rub the gunk away. This technique is useful for cleaning stainless steel surfaces like your exhaust hood. It also works wonders on your refrigerator and dishwasher.
For large greasy surfaces, vinegar spray is a perfect alternative. It’s an effective disinfectant and grease cutter, readily available and less expensive than oil. Prepare this by filling a spray bottle with two parts water and one part vinegar. Spray it on the surface and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then use a damp cloth for wiping.
5. Scour seriously caked grease.
If you haven’t cleaned your stovetop for a long time, you can try either of these two DIY cleaners.
SOLUTION 1: Baking Soda + Dish Soap + Steel Wool/Sponge + Microfibre Cloth
SOLUTION 2: Vinegar + Baking Soda + Dish Soap + Steel Wool/Sponge + Microfibre Cloth
For the first solution, combine equal parts of baking soda and dish soap in a small bowl. Generously apply this frosting-like paste to your drip pans, grates and stovetop surfaces, then let them sit for about an hour. When the time elapses, use steel wool on enamel-coated stoves or sponge on stainless steel for scouring. Rinse and wipe dry.
Alternatively, you can also make a paste with one part vinegar, two parts baking soda and a few drops of dish soap. Apply this to your stovetop surfaces, let it sit for 20 minutes, scrub the gunk away, then rinse and dry.
Clean as You Go
After cleaning your stovetop, make sure to wipe away spilled sauces and oil splatters right after cooking. This habit can save you lots of cleaning time and effort the next time your cooktop needs a thorough clean. With routine cleaning, you can protect your stove from damage and make it last longer!
