Cleaning your stove-top is never a fun task, but it is necessary. Stove-tops are used daily and often more than once per day and deserve a spot on your regular chores list. Burnt on grease and spilled pasta sauce are challenging to remove when they have been there for too long, so do yourself a favor and effective ways to clean your stove regularly.
Many people put off cleaning their stoves because they either don’t know of a cleaning service or don’t know what chemicals to use or how to clean different parts of their stove. Stove-tops come in various materials and types, and each one requires some special attention. Here are ten effective ways to clean your stove and keep it clean.
10 Effective Ways to Clean Your Stove and Use Regularly
Number 1
The first thing on this list is not to wait until it has become a monumental task to clean your stove. The longer you wait to clean it, the harder it is to clean, and you are less motivated to start the process.
Your stove is an integral part of your kitchen, and like the oven and microwave, it needs to be cleaned often to be safe from germs.
Number 2
Many different chemicals exist that make cleaning more convenient, but it is vital to figure out which chemicals can be used on your specific stove-top.
Gas ranges require different chemicals than glass-top ranges and can vary with different materials. It is essential to read labels when searching for a new product and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines, so you don’t damage the stove.
Number 3
There are alternative ways to clean without using harsh chemicals from the store. Baking soda and vinegar are among the most popular methods of cleaning a glass stove. It can cut through the dried, burnt mess and leave your stove sparkling. Be careful when using baking soda as it is abrasive and can scratch surfaces if used incorrectly.
Use caution when using homemade cleaners as they could create potentially dangerous chemical compounds. Wear proper personal protective equipment, e.g., safety glasses and gloves, when using chemicals to protect your eyes and skin.
Number 4
Electric stoves with coil burners will often lift up like a car hood so they can be adequately cleaned. This allows for all of the crumbs and spills to be wiped up quickly rather than letting them burn underneath.
The coils can be easily removed after they have completely cooled and cleaned with dish soap. The coils are somewhat self-cleaning, and minor spills can be eliminated by setting the burner on high with no pot on top to burn off the mess, but you may want to crack a window for this method. It will not provide the cleanest stove-top, but in a pinch, it is a simple solution.
Number 5
Burners on a gas stove are simple to clean as well. Put each of the burners in a sealable bag and add a small amount of ammonia to each bag. The fumes from the ammonia work wonders and remove old crusty food and stains from the surface overnight. Check to verify that the ammonia will not remove any coating from your burner.
Be careful not to get any ammonia on your skin and wear eye protection. It is highly recommended that the bags be open and the burners rinsed off outside or in a well-ventilated area.
Number 6
Gas stoves have multiple pieces that make up each burner and need to be cleaned individually. After removing the burner from the top, carefully remove the piece that disperses the flame. Be sure that all parts are completely cooled before starting.
Once removed, use baking soda and vinegar or another household cleaner to remove the grime. Rinse and dry the pieces before putting them back on the stove and be sure to align them correctly to ensure proper flame.
Number 7
Glass top ranges are both the easiest and hardest to clean. They accumulate grime quickly, and it burns easily onto the surface. If the surface is cleaned often, there is no chance for grime to build up, and it wipes clean with a damp cloth when the glass is cooled.
Glass cooktop sprays are readily available at local retailers, or homemade cleaners can be used. This is where you need to use caution and not use an abrasive chemical or sponge. The glass can scratch and create a less than ideal cooking surface.
Number 8
Cleaning stainless steel is easy with either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Simply apply the vinegar to the stain, let sit, and wipe off with a soft cloth.
A stainless steel cleaner can be used to remove unwanted fingerprints and grime for the remainder of the surfaces.
Number 9
The knobs to turn on the stove are the only thing touched by most people and need to be cleaned often. They have germs from your hands and are potential surfaces for cross-contamination in the kitchen. These knobs or dials should be wiped down frequently with antibacterial soap or cleanser.
Number 10
Don’t forget the range hood. The hood above your stove gets splattered with grease and grime, just like the surface of your stove-top. Wipe down the hood whenever you clean your stove-top, and it will stay sparkling clean.
The range hood is often underused and can enhance your cooking experience by drawing strong smells or smoke outside and improve the overall experience of cooking.
Conclusion
Cleaning your kitchen is vital to healthy living, and these methods can make the task easier to accomplish. The best way to keep your stove-top sparkling is to clean it after every use, but since it’s unlikely anyone will actually do that, try to wipe it down every few days with a deep clean once a month to start. It will make the task much easier to accomplish once you get in the habit of cleaning your stove-top.
As an additional tip, listen to your favorite upbeat music while you clean. You can make a playlist of some of your favorite songs that you only get to listen to while cleaning or being productive. This gives you extra motivation to clean regularly. Or, listen to an audiobook you always wanted to read. Doing this makes cleaning feel more like a treat rather than a chore.
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