How you tackle the problem depends upon the key in of stovetop you have.

But, one rule applies to every pop in: clean the problem up as soon as possible.

The longer you leave a mess on your stovetop, the harder it’s going to be to remove.

stovetop

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

There are three basictypes of home stovetops: electric coils,gas burners, andsmooth, ceramic glass tops.

Working in circles, wipe down the entire stovetop surface using the more abrasive side of the sponge.

If you are using a commercial cooktop cleaner, follow the directions on the product label.

materials for cleaning a stove top

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Spray the messy area withdistilled white vinegarand sprinkle withbaking soda(it will foam!).

Cover the area with a kitchen towel that has been soaked in hot water and then wrung out.

For really baked-on food, use a razor blade scraper to remove the mess.

Turning the stove off and letting it cool before cleaning

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Hold the blade flat against the ceramic stovetop and gently scrape away the debris.

Avoid scouring the surface with anything too harsh, like steel wool pads, as they can scratch.

Dry with a microfiber towel for a streak-free finish.

Mixing a stove cleaning solution

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Do not leave the coils on without monitoring them andkeep a fire extinguisherhandy.

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Remove and Clean the Coils

Most coils simply plug into the stovetop.

Give them a gentle pull and remove them.

Applying the cleaner to the stove

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

For tough build-up, dip the sponge in dry baking soda and scrub away.

Set the coils aside and allow them to air dry.

Warning

Never submerge a stovetop’s electrical coils in water.

Wiping the stove with a sponge

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

The electrical connection will be damaged.

Remove the drip pans and submerge them in a sink of hot water and dishwashing liquid to soak.

Soaking for at least 15 minutes will help loosen the baked-on food.

Using a razor to scrape off tough grime from the stove

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Rinse well and dry with a towel.

Clean Under the Stovetop

Many stovetops open up just like the hood of a car.

Underneath you’ll see a sheet of enameled metal that has caught all the drips and spills.

Drying off the ceramic cook top with a microfiber towel

The Spruce / Ana Cadena

Clean this area with hot, soapy water to remove food debris.

Rinse with a clean sponge dipped in hot water and towel dry.

Use a plastic scraper to loosen any baked-on food.

Heating the coils to melt any debris

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Spray any tough-to-clean areas with a bit of vinegar and sprinkle with baking soda.

Cover with a damp towel and let it work for 15 minutes before scrubbing.

If the control knobs are located on the stovetop, remove them and wipe down with a damp cloth.

Cleaning electric coils with a sponge

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Do not scrub because the markings can rub off easily.

Use amicrofiber towelto dry each component and then reassemble the stovetop.

Here’s the best way to wash away burnt food and grease.

Submerging drip pans into warm soapy water

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Place the burner grates and plates (they cover the gas outlet) in the solution to soak.

Remove the control knobs and wash them up quickly with soap and water is all that’s needed.

Spray burned-on food with distilled vinegar and sprinkle with baking soda.

Cleaning under the stovetop

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Rinse the baking soda thoroughly, especially if it has gotten on the burner head.

It will keep the burner from functioning properly until it is rinsed away.

Rinse the grates, plates, and controls with clean water and dry with a microfiber towel.

Cleaning the stovetop surface

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

Dry with a microfiber towel for a streak-free finish.

Tips to Keep Your Stovetop Clean Longer

Reassembling the stovetop

The Spruce / Sarah Lee

removing burner plates and grates

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

wiping down the stove with hot soapy water

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

scrubbing the stove grates

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

drying off the stove top with a microfiber towel

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

reassembling the stove top

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida