I’ve never been a fan of cleaning. I admit it.
And there’s some things I really despise. Like cleaning the bathroom. Yuck. Especially with three boys (four counting my husband.)
Cleaning my stove top used to be one of those cleaning tasks I dreaded. I couldn’t figure it out. Even the special stove top / cooktop cleaner didn’t work. It was so frustrating. And clearly based on reviews of cooktop cleaners, I was not the only one feeling defeated.
When my new Maytag stove arrived last fall, I was determined to keep it clean and beautiful looking. But good intentions don’t always work and it didn’t take long to get dirty.
It wasn’t until I went to the Whirlpool headquarters in November that I learned the secret.
The Secret to Cleaning Your Stove Top
It’s this handy little razor blade.
You need this bad boy to scrape off the grime. Literally. And it really works.
Get the metal razor blade. Plastic isn’t gonna cut it. And it doesn’t have to be labeled for “cooktop cleaning” – a regular ol’ razor blade
for a couple dollars is perfect.
You’ll also need paper towels or a cleaning rag (that’s what we call it in our house), a cooktop scrub pad and cooktop cleaner. I tried going without the cleaner and haven’t found a good substitute. And this stuff costs what? $3 or $4 a bottle. It’s worth it.
The Second Secret
Ahh! Yes, this is a two step secret.
Clean your stove top when it’s warm.
Just like how it’s easier to wash dishes with hot water, the most-efficient way to clean your stove top is right after you’ve used it, when it’s still warm.
That being said, it might be ideal to clean your stove right after you’ve used it, but let’s face it – ideal isn’t often realistic. The kids need their baths, it’s bedtime, then before you know it, it’s the next day and you’re looking at a stove top with stuck on food.
Never fear, I’ve got a couple tips.
1) Clean the stove while your oven is turned on. Usually the stove top surface will be warm from that. It’s the perfect chance.
2) Disclaimer: I won’t recommend this to you because it’s kinda stupid. I’m just sharing what I do. If you try it, you do this at your own risk and I assume no responsibility if you burn yourself! You can turn on the burner for a couple seconds, then turn it off quickly, and scrub away. I do this often and it works well. But obviously I have to be very careful.
Step-by-Step Directions
Here’s a close up at the before picture of my filthy stove top. Feel better about yours? I thought so.
Start by squirting on cooktop cleaner and scrubbing with the cleaning pad. Make sure you use the “approved” cleaning pad because the scrubbing back of your regular kitchen sponge can scratch the surface.
Some of the grime will come off, but not all. That’s where the razor blade comes in.
See the rings around my burner here? Water boiled over and we all know what a lovely mess that can make. This picture was taken after I had scrubbed it with the cleaner.
Look what the razor blade did:
You might be wondering if the razor blade will scratch up your stove top. Unless you gouge your stove top with the razor blade, it will not. Use it firmly and smoothly. It’s not hard and you’ll get a feel for it as you go. And the results speak for themselves.
You may need to go back and scrub some more with the cleaner and cleaning pad if the grime is really built up. When you’re satisfied with the results, wipe it clean with a paper towel and buff with a cleaning rag.
The Results
And with these tips, I was able to restore my range to its former sleek and shiny self.
And that, my friends, is the secret to cleaning your stove top.
More Cleaning Tips + Ideas
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- DIY Toilet Bowl Fizzy Cleaner
- The Fast, All-Natural Way to Clean Your Microwave
- How to Clean a Microfiber Couch (+ Remove pen + marker)
Chrystal D says
Great tips! I would have been afraid to use the razor blade until I saw how well it worked!
lisa says
I use a brand called Scotch Brite. It has a cleaning pad and really makes it quick and easy.
smithson32 says
an easier way would be to squeeze water from a sponge on the hard spots. let it sit for 5-10 minutes then watch how easy it wipes off
Erika says
I’ve tried that many times and it never worked. It could be the different stove top types. For my glass stove top, there’s tiny little grooves throughout that make it necessary for something more – the razor blade – to get the grime off.
Dorothy Hubbard says
Thanks for the great tips for cleaning the stove. It too is a job I detest.
Marina says
Erika were you over at my house just a while ago? That’s my stove top, blade and sponge!!! 😉
I have to attest that this does work and the only way I feel a little better about the stains!! 😉
Erika says
Great minds think alike, right Marina!? 🙂
Amiyrah says
This made me wish we had an electric stove-top. So easy to clean! I’m dealing with a gas one, and it is a pain in the butt to clean. Like you, I also loathe cleaning the bathrooms. I’ve been trying to train my son to love cleaning them so I won’t have to do it anymore. Ha!
Erika says
I am trying that too – so far, I’ve got him cleaning the bottom of the toilet (yuck!) haha.
Cyn says
Great ideas! Never thought about warming up the stove before cleaning it but it makes sense!
Susie B. Homemaker says
I have a gas range and it’s tough to clean, especially the tops of the burners (I have 5!). I’ve never tried a razor blade and would be scared I’d scratch it. I’ll have to try it in one little spot to test it out. 😉 I try to clean mine while it’s still warm too, definitely makes it easier to get the messes off.
miccs says
Great tips!
I’m always fighthing against the stove, never get it clean as it should be. I’ll try the razor now.
And cleaning while still warm makes all the sense (but I never figured out).
Sam Dock says
My grandma got me one of those razor scrapers in a housewarming basket when we purchased our first home and it is the BEST on the stovetop! Actually it gets used for a lot of other things too but mostly the stove:)
Erin says
Thanks for the great tips! Its never fun having to clean the stove, but your tips should make it easier now! Thanks for sharing! 😉
saminder gumer says
thanks for the tips. i have a gas stove top so it will be a little different. any tips for that?
Erika says
I’m not familiar with cleaning a gas stove, sorry, Saminder! You might still be able to use the razor blade on sections, but it would really depend on the surface. Good luck!
Jane Stanford Boozer says
thanks for this tip
Carla Bonesteel says
Looks good! Athough, I don’t have a flat topped stove. I just spray Mr. Clean on and let it sit for about ten minutes…stuck on food wipes right off!
Tammy Baugh says
I have gotten so disgusted with my own results cleaning only with a rag and the stovetop cleaner, I admit I have let it go until my spouse will clean it. I mean why do what you can’t really do? Ok I got to thank you for all of the good advice. The end results really do speak for themselves! ANd to think we have all sorts of razors around here!
Maddie K says
Well, that truly is a big difference! We have a gas stove and I have to admit, I hate cleaning that too.
Susan Alban says
Thank you for this! It will make cleaning so much easier now 🙂
md kennedy says
I am always so afraid I am going to scratch my stove top! However, I tried your process and it works so well. Thanks!
Fran D says
You’re working way too hard to do all that. White vinegar will clean a stove top perfectly. It removes grease and stuck on grime in nothing flat, no razor or scrubbing required. Just pour on some white vinegar and wipe it off with a paper towel. Fast, cheap, non-toxic, and a perfect clean every time.
Erika says
That’s interesting, Fran. Perhaps you have a different type of stove top than I do. I have tried white vinegar on my glass stove top and while it does get some of the grime up, it does not remove everything. (I actually use vinegar for most of my household cleaning because it does such a great job.)
Thank you for sharing! Hopefully your tip will help others.
Rust says
I can’t believe I never thought of a razor blade! I have used more energy trying to keep my glass top stove nice and clean than you can begin to imagine! LOL! A razor blade ….
/sheesh
Linda K says
I’ve used your technique with a razor & stovetop cleaner, but honestly, the cleaner that works the best is Bar Keeper’s Friend (it’s a powder cleanser found in the cleaning aisle at Walmart & other stores: http://barkeepersfriend.com/ Nothing works as well!
Erika says
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Bar Keeper’s Friend. Thanks for the tip – I’m going to give it a try!
Dede says
Thank you so much! I thought I was the only one who couldn’t get those water rings off. This is so great, I will have to try it this week.
Erika says
You’re definitely not the only one, Dede! That was my biggest frustration for the longest time too.
Mike Tanner says
Great post Erika, thanks 😀 Up until a few weeks ago I had been battling with the (not so strict!) every few month job of cleaning the awfully stained cooker. We use it a lot – we have a big family and I cook meals pretty much every day leaving my wife to feed and rest with the youngest. Posts like this make me realise how much you can do on your own – especially with natural, non-toxic items from your cupboards! I’ve noticed on a few posts round the web about this kind of thing though that there isn’t a massive emphasis on using “clean as you go” techniques – which, combined with bicarb and things like vinegar or even salt, can really make your life so much easier! Great post, thanks a lot 🙂
janet says
this looks like a good idea, however I have a question. I clean for other people and one stove is similar to yours and I assume never properly cleaned since the burners have burnt rings around them. this is an older stove and probably inexpensive. can I still use the razor blade on it along with the cleansers and not ruin it ?
Assertmeds says
Hello,
Thanks for sharing this secret. Really very much beneficial for cleaning cooking stove.Very useful.
Cleaners Kingston Ltd. says
Thank you for sharing your post. Great tips! Especially this one to turn on the burner for a couple seconds and then quickly to turn it off. I am going to try it. I will be very fast. I hope it works! Greetings!
Melany says
Una consulta…Yo limpio mi estufa así!! Pero tiene unas manchas blancas como gastada o pelada,eso se puede quitar con algo?porque por más que la limpio no consigo quitar eso. Ayúdenme!!