How to Get Rid of a Greasy Stove Top and Backsplash: Multi-Purpose Cleaner and Dawn Dish Soap is Your Best Friend!
Materials You’ll Need
- Multi-purpose cleaner
- Dawn dish soap
- Warm water
- Spray bottle
- Sponge or scrub brush
- Microfiber cloth
- Rubber gloves
- Razor Scraper
Step-by-Step to Get Rid of a Greasy Stove Top
1. Preparation
Before you start cleaning, make sure your stove is completely cool to avoid any burns or accidents. Safety is paramount, so take a few moments to ensure the stove top and backsplash are not hot. Remove any pots, pans, and other items from the stove top. Clearing the area will give you full access to all the greasy spots and ensure nothing gets in the way of your cleaning process.
2. Create Your Cleaning Solution
In a spray bottle, mix the following ingredients:
- 1 part multi-purpose cleaner
- 1 part Dawn dish soap
- 2 parts warm water
Shake the bottle gently to mix the ingredients thoroughly. While you’re mixing the solution, it’s a good idea to spray a preliminary layer of warm water on the greasy areas to start loosening up some dirt and grime. This initial layer will make it easier for the cleaning solution to penetrate and break down the tougher grease and residues when you apply it.
3. Apply the Cleaning Solution
Spray the cleaning solution generously over the greasy areas on the stove top and backsplash. Make sure to cover all greasy spots well, ensuring the solution penetrates every nook and cranny. The multi-purpose cleaner will begin to loosen the dirt and grime, while the Dawn dish soap starts breaking down the stubborn grease.
Allow the solution to sit for about 5-10 minutes to let it work its magic, softening and lifting the grease and grime so that it’s easier to scrub away in the next steps.
For particularly tough spots or areas with heavy grease build-up, apply a few drops of Dawn dish soap directly onto the spot. Let it sit for an additional few minutes. Dawn’s powerful grease-cutting properties will help to break down even the most stubborn oil residues, making it easier to remove during scrubbing. If needed, you can also give these tough spots a gentle scrub with a sponge or brush to help the soap penetrate the grease further.
4. Let it Sit
Allow the solution to sit for about 5-10 minutes. This waiting period is crucial as it gives the multi-purpose cleaner and Dawn dish soap time to break down the grease and grime, loosening their hold on the stove top and backsplash. The enzymes and surfactants in the Dawn dish soap will start to work on dissolving the grease, while the multi-purpose cleaner lifts away dirt and other residues. The longer you let the solution sit (within reason), the less elbow grease you’ll need to apply during the scrubbing phase.
5. Scrub Away the Grease
After allowing the solution to sit, it’s time to scrub away the loosened grease. Using a sponge or scrub brush, start scrubbing the stove top and backsplash in circular motions. This technique helps lift the grime effectively and ensures you cover every inch of the surface. Focus on areas with heavy grease build-up, applying a bit more pressure if necessary. The Dawn dish soap will continue to dissolve the grease during this process, while the multi-purpose cleaner lifts away the grime, leaving the surface much cleaner and less greasy.
For particularly stubborn spots that resist scrubbing, you can use a blade or scraper to gently remove the hardened grease. Be careful when using a blade to avoid scratching the surface. Hold the blade at a low angle and carefully scrape away the tough grease, using smooth, steady motions. After scraping, go over the area again with your sponge or scrub brush to ensure all the grease and grime are completely removed. This extra step is especially helpful for areas around burners or the edges of the backsplash, where grease can accumulate and harden over time.
6. Wipe Clean
Once you’ve scrubbed the surfaces thoroughly, it’s time to wipe away the cleaning solution and the loosened grease. Use a damp microfiber cloth for this step, as microfiber is excellent at trapping dirt and grime. Wipe down the stove top and backsplash, rinsing the cloth frequently in warm water to ensure you’re not just spreading grease around. This step will leave the surfaces free of cleaning solution and grease, preparing them for the final rinse and dry.
7. Rinse and Dry
After wiping clean, rinse the stove top and backsplash with clean water and a fresh microfiber cloth. This step is essential to remove any remaining cleaning solution residues. Go over the surfaces thoroughly to ensure all soap and cleaner traces are gone. Finally, dry the stove top and backsplash with a dry microfiber cloth to prevent streaks and water spots. This final drying step will leave your kitchen surfaces looking spotless and polished.
8. Final Touches
Inspect your work carefully to ensure all grease and grime have been removed. If you notice any remaining greasy spots, repeat the cleaning process on those areas. For an added shine, you can polish the stove top and backsplash with a small amount of glass cleaner or a homemade solution of vinegar and water. This step will give your kitchen surfaces an extra sparkle and ensure they look as good as new.
Tips for Maintenance
Maintaining a clean stove top and backsplash can seem like a never-ending task, but with a few simple habits, you can keep grease and grime at bay. Here are some essential tips to help you maintain a spotless kitchen:
Wipe Down Daily
One of the most effective ways to prevent grease build-up is to clean your stove top and backsplash immediately after cooking. Take a moment each day, especially after preparing meals, to wipe down these surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth. This quick daily wipe-down helps remove any fresh oil splatters and food particles before they have a chance to harden and become stubborn. Regular cleaning not only makes each session easier but also keeps your kitchen looking clean and inviting.
Use a Splatter Guard
When frying or cooking foods that are prone to splattering, use a splatter guard to minimize the amount of grease that lands on your stove top and backsplash. Splatter guards are inexpensive and can be placed over pans to catch oil and food particles. By reducing the amount of grease that escapes onto your kitchen surfaces, you can significantly cut down on cleaning time and effort. This simple tool can make a big difference in keeping your stove top and backsplash cleaner for longer.
Regular Deep Cleaning
In addition to daily maintenance, it’s important to perform a more thorough cleaning once a week. Use the multi-purpose cleaner and Dawn dish soap solution to deep clean your stove top and backsplash. This weekly routine ensures that any grease or grime that has accumulated over the week is effectively removed, preventing it from building up and becoming more difficult to clean. By incorporating a regular deep cleaning schedule, you can maintain a pristine kitchen with minimal effort.
Additional Tips
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- Tackle Spills Immediately: Clean up spills and splatters as soon as they happen. The longer they sit, the harder they become to remove.
- Use a Microfiber Cloth: Microfiber cloths are excellent for trapping grease and grime, making your cleaning efforts more effective.
- Hot Water Rinse: After scrubbing with the cleaning solution, use hot water for the final rinse. Hot water helps dissolve any remaining grease residues.
- Ventilation: Use the kitchen vent or open a window while cooking to reduce the amount of grease that settles on surfaces.
- Protective Coating: Consider applying a stove top and backsplash protective coating available in the market, which makes future cleaning easier by preventing grease and grime from sticking.
If you’re tired of battling stubborn grease and grime in your kitchen, let Good Cleaner Co take care of it for you. We specialize in providing top-notch cleaning services for both residential and commercial settings, ensuring every corner of your space is spotless and hygienic. Our expert team uses effective cleaning solutions and techniques to tackle even the toughest messes, so you can enjoy a pristine environment without the hassle. Trust Good Cleaner Co to deliver exceptional results, making your home or office shine like new. Contact us today to schedule your cleaning service!