Getting tired of scrubbing away at burned on food stains and grease splatters on your stovetop, only to have it still look dull and dirty? I’ve got a super simple and inexpensive solution for you – baking soda!
Why Baking Soda Works Wonders
Baking soda, sometimes called bicarbonate of soda, is mildly abrasive and alkaline, making it a powerful ingredient for cleaning and degreasing. Here’s why it works so well on stovetops:
-
Abrasiveness – The fine gritty texture of baking soda is just abrasive enough to scour away cooked-on grease and grime without scratching your stovetop. It lifts and removes residue instead of just spreading it around.
-
Degreasing – Baking soda is highly absorbent, so it soaks up grease and oil easily. This helps dissolve caked-on messes. Its alkaline pH also helps break down fatty acids.
-
Cleaning Power – When baking soda is combined with a small amount of water, a chemical reaction takes place that produces carbon dioxide bubbles. These bubbles help dislodge stuck-on messes.
So baking soda’s natural properties make it a fantastic degreaser and cleaning agent for getting your stovetop sparkling again!
My Step-By-Step Stovetop Cleaning Method
Cleaning your stove with baking soda is super simple and only requires a few basic supplies:
- Baking soda
- Water
- Dish soap (optional)
- Sponge or cleaning rag
- Old toothbrush (for stubborn spots)
Here is my tried and true process:
1. Sprinkle Baking Soda
First, remove any pots or pans and sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the entire surface of the stovetop. Make sure to get into corners and along edges.
2. Add Water to Form a Paste
Next, slowly spritz the baking soda with water from a spray bottle, just enough to form a thick, spreadable paste. The paste allows the baking soda to really penetrate stuck-on grease.
3. Let It Sit
Let the paste sit for at least 5-10 minutes. This gives the baking soda time to work its cleaning magic!
4. Scrub Away
Now grab your sponge or rag and gently scrub the stovetop surface. The baking soda paste will lift away grease easily. For stubborn spots, let the paste sit longer or use an old toothbrush to scrub.
5. Rinse Clean
Once you’ve scrubbed the entire surface, simply rinse with water until all the baking soda is gone. Wipe dry with a towel.
And that’s it – your stovetop will be sparkling clean! The baking soda paste polished away grease and left a bright, shiny surface.
Extra Tips for Stovetop Cleaning
-
For really greasy stovetops, add a small squirt of dish soap to the baking soda paste. The extra degreasing power helps remove heavy grime.
-
Speaking of dish soap – give your stovetop a quick wipe down with soapy water first. This removes surface-level grease so the baking soda can work on what’s really stuck.
-
Repeat the baking soda cleaning whenever your stovetop needs it – monthly or quarterly for light maintenance, more often for heavy use.
-
Always scrub gently in circular motions to avoid scratching. Harsh scrubbing can damage the stovetop over time.
-
Rinse and dry thoroughly after cleaning to prevent streaks.
-
Avoid using baking soda directly on hot surfaces – let the stovetop cool first.
So next time your stovetop is looking grimy, grab the baking soda from your pantry and make it shine! This thrifty ingredient really does work wonders.
