The Tomato Soup Disaster
So now that I have baby number three, “oops I forgot about that” is kind of the story of my life. I had gotten the two little ones up from their nap and was nursing the baby when I start to hear big giant hissing and scalding sounds coming from the kitchen. Oops… I forgot about that soup I had cooking on the stove. And it was boiling over big time. And there were flames, maybe. Okay, definitely. I ran over, turned off the stove, and assessed the damage. It had to be tomato soup – the gunkiest, goopiest, concoction that I could possibly burn on top of the already gunky stovetop. It was pretty bad.
Luckily, my stove is black, so it hides this state of utter disgustingness well, but see in the pic below, it was definitely baked on to the max. For the past couple of years, I’ve been moving toward using more natural cleaners. It’s not only more economical but with 3 little kids constantly rolling on the floor and licking anything that is not supposed to be licked (all while refusing to put anything that is in their mouth that is supposed to go there), I really felt that keeping the cleaning products I use as natural as possible was probably a good idea for everyone.
The Natural Stovetop Cleaner Solution
One thing that really surprised me was that when you find the right combination of natural ingredients to clean your mess, it can clean it REALLY well! Like better than the stuff in a bottle with 97,876 unpronounceable ingredients. While my stove sat with baked-on tomato goop, I whipped up a batch of my favorite 3-ingredient stovetop cleaner. It doesn’t get much simpler than that.
Just take about a tablespoon of baking soda, about half as much water until it makes a nice paste, and then add 3 drops of orange essential oil and mix together. You can multiply the recipe to make enough for the size of your mess. The baking soda works as a light abrasive, and studies show the citrus essential oil is a natural degreaser, and exhibits anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, so it’s perfect to zap that cooked-on, greasy cooktop! Not to mention, it makes it smell so fresh too!
Scrubbing Away the Grime
I just spread my paste directly onto the cooktop right over the mess. I like to use a soft scrub sponge to work it into the cooked-on mess, and then just wipe it up! The cooked-on food just comes right off, and the stovetop sparkles. It is really amazing!
This recipe from Food.com also suggests using a little vinegar in the mix to cut through tough grease and grime. And The Pinning Mama recommends adding a few drops of orange essential oil for its degreasing and antibacterial properties.
Whichever variation you choose, the key is letting the baking soda paste sit for 30 minutes or more before scrubbing. This gives it time to really break down all that built-up residue. And don’t forget to give the whole stovetop a final wipe-down with a wet rag to remove any leftover baking soda.
Preventing Future Stovetop Messes
Of course, the best way to keep your stovetop looking its best is to tackle spills and splatters right away. Practically Functional suggests wiping down the surface after each use, and spot-cleaning any trouble areas as soon as they appear.
And if you do have a major mess like my tomato soup incident, don’t wait to deal with it. The longer that gunk sits, the harder it’ll be to remove. Tackle it right away with your homemade baking soda paste, and you’ll have your Adam Cleaning UK stovetop sparkling in no time!
DIY Glass Stovetop Cleaner
For those with a smooth, glass-top stove, My Heavenly Recipes has a great DIY cleaner using just a few simple ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Baking Soda | 1/2 cup |
| Water | 2-3 tbsp |
| Dish Soap | 1-2 tsp |
Simply mix the baking soda and water into a thick paste, then stir in the dish soap. Apply the mixture to the cooktop, let sit for 15-20 minutes, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. The baking soda will lift grease and grime, while the dish soap helps cut through any remaining residue.
So whether you have a gas, electric, or smooth glass stovetop, a little homemade baking soda magic is all you need to reclaim its shine. No harsh chemicals required – just a few simple ingredients from your pantry. Give it a try, and enjoy your sparkling clean cooktop!
