Ever entered a new apartment only to find that the stove and oven are absolutely disgusting? I think it has happened to all of us at one point in time, so roll up your sleeves and get ready to really clean that stove and oven. Whether they’re electric or gas, we have a solution to solve the dirty problem at hand. Grab your cleaning supplies and make that kitchen appliance sparkle.
Get started on the baked-on gunk you may find in the oven. I prefer an all-natural cleaner to those name-brand oven cleaners that require you to wear gloves and open the windows. You can, of course, run the autoclean function on your oven first. However, one of two things usually happens to me when I use it. Either the oven doesn’t have a self-clean option, or it is broken and will not work. You too? Yes, we can get that oven clean anyway.
Remove all the racks and anything else inside your oven before beginning. Then try an all-natural scouring paste, available online. I also love steel wool pads for getting that stuck-on grime off in a jiffy. If you can’t find any scouring paste, try a mixture of baking soda and vinegar for a reaction that will remove those tough, baked-on messes. Just apply a mixture of baking soda and water to the entire oven and let it sit for at least 12 hours. Then spray with vinegar and let that chemical reaction remove the rest of the grime. Wipe well, and your oven is ready for use again. I love an all-natural solution to a household problem.
Sometimes the area in between the glass is also dirty on your oven. You can easily clean it up by following this tutorial. This super simple solution will make you think, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Finish up by wiping down the outside of your oven with a homemade household cleaner. Now that the oven is clean, it’s time to move on to the stovetop.
If your apartment has a smooth glass stovetop, try a scrubbing cleanser and a scrub sponge. Allow the cleaner to sit a few minutes, then scrub any stuck-on food and grime away. Be sure to rinse the entire area well with water after cleaning. Once again, you can use a paste of baking soda and water here. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes to an hour before scrubbing. Add vinegar to the mix for stubborn spots. Over the years, I have found that those expensive cleaners made especially for glass cooktops are just not necessary. An inexpensive version like the one shown below, or baking soda and some elbow grease, work just fine.
For gas or electric burners that have drip pans, I have a no-scrub solution that will work miracles. Just remove the grates, drip pans and anything else that is dirty, and follow this method for using ammonia.Those stove components will never know what hit them! NOTE: I would not use this method for anything that has an electrical plug, like the electric burners themselves. Otherwise, enjoy this no-scrub way to a gorgeous and clean stovetop!
Now that you know how to really clean your stove and oven, what are you waiting for? Those drips and burned-on places from the last renters are not getting any better. Try these methods this weekend and start the week with a sparkling clean appliance!