Porcelain is one of the popular materials used for stove tops as they resist burns, stains, and damages. You can clean them up like you would any smooth surface, and they'll look just like new! Because porcelain is smooth and non-porous due to a layer of protective varnish, they are easy to clean and maintain. Here's how:
Cleaning Materials You'll Need
- White vinegar OR
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda
- Dish soap
- Spray bottle
- Scrub brush
- Sponge
- Microfiber cloth
How to Clean a Porcelain Stove Top: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Let the Stove Cool
First, let your stove cool to avoid getting burns and prevent accidents. Make sure your burner heads are turned off, and are cool to the touch, as are your stove grates. Whether you have a gas stove or an electric stove, it is important to cut the fuel source of your porcelain stove to avoid any accidents. Unplug your electric stoves, and close the valve of your gas ranges.
Step 2: Wipe with Soapy Water
Wipe the cooled surface with soapy water. Mix together some dish soap and warm water to create a thin, diluted solution, and use a sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe off any fresh food particles and residue from the porcelain surface. Make sure to get under the grates, on the heating coils, and through the burner heads as well.
Step 3: Use Your Preferred Cleaning Solution
For the next step, you can opt to use your preferred cleaning solution depending on the type of stains you have on your porcelain stove. If you have greasy, lifted stains, use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. If you have flat stains embedded in the porcelain surface, replace vinegar with hydrogen peroxide.
For Greasy Stains
For greasy stains that lift off the porcelain surface, use vinegar. Place white vinegar in a spray bottle, and give the stove top a good spritz. Like a glass stove top, vinegar can remove burned-on residue, oils, and residue from your porcelain stove top. Spray the grates and burners as well to remove oils from the porous material.
Sprinkle baking soda over the area where you sprayed vinegar, focusing on highly-stained areas. The mixture of vinegar and baking soda softens these raised stains, dissolves oils, and makes it easy to wipe the surface clean later on.
For Tough Stains
For flat stains that you can't scrape off, use hydrogen peroxide. Mix together enough baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a paste, and use this cleaning paste to spot treat the stained areas. Don't forget to apply the paste on the grates and burners as well.
Step 4: Let it Sit
Let the solution sit on your stove for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the mixture to work. As the solution sits, it breaks down the oils and grease left on your stove, and softens the stains to make them easy to remove. If your baking soda is looking dry, apply more vinegar OR hydrogen peroxide.
Safety Tip: Never mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide together as they may form toxic substances that are dangerous to your health.
Step 5: Scrub, Rinse and Dry
After the allotted time, take your scrub brush, and brush away the stain in a circular motion. You should notice the stains coming out easily. If not, leave the solution on the stove top for a longer period of time. Scrub away all the stains until the porcelain enamel surface looks clean!
Rinse the baking soda residue away by taking a damp cloth or sponge, and wiping the area clean. You may need to go over the stove top multiple times with a freshly-washed cloth to completely remove the residue. Let the stove top dry before you use it.
Tips to Keep Your Porcelain Stove Top Clean
Keeping your porcelain enamel stove top clean is fairly simple and straightforward. Wipe your stove top after every use, and clean up spills immediately with paper towels to prevent them from staining your stove. Here are a couple of cleaning tips you can do for your stove:
- Use a non-abrasive cleaner when cleaning your porcelain, ceramic, or glass stove top. Harsh abrasives can leave scratches on the surface where germs and bacteria can fester within the scratches.
- Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners when cleaning your stove top, particularly cleaning solutions that are flammable or create toxic gas when heated. Always rinse off the cleaning solution afterwards.
- Use stove guards to prevent food spills, sauces, and oils from splattering on your stove top.
Cooking Up a Cleaner Kitchen
Home maintenance and upkeep can be a hassle, especially if you've already got a lot on your plate. At Luce, we understand that not everybody can make time for cleaning and chores, which is why we offer top-quality home cleaning services in Singapore that will keep your home spotless!
Contact us today to schedule your next cleaning session!