I’ve spent years battling stovetop messes, and I’m excited to share what actually works. These DIY stovetop cleaner recipes have saved me countless trips to the store and dollars on commercial products.
What makes these homemade cleaners so effective is that you can match the formula to your mess. I’ve arranged these recipes from mildest to most powerful, so you can start gentle and work your way up if needed.
1. Baking Soda + Lemon Juice (Light Cleaning)
What You’ll Need:
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- Juice from half a lemon
What It Does: This is my go-to for everyday cleaning. The natural acidity in lemon cuts through light grease, while baking soda provides gentle scrubbing power. It leaves your stovetop smelling fresh without any chemical smell.
How to Use: Sprinkle baking soda directly on the stovetop surface. Squeeze lemon juice over it—you’ll see it fizz a bit. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then wipe in circular motions with your cloth. Rinse with clean water and dry. This works beautifully for daily wipe-downs after cooking.
2. Baking Soda + Dish Soap + Warm Water (Moderate Stains)
What You’ll Need:
- 3 tablespoons baking soda
- 1 tablespoon dish soap
- 1/4 cup warm water
- Spray bottle (optional)
What It Does: This combination handles regular cooking residue and light grease buildup. The dish soap breaks down oils while baking soda scrubs without scratching. I use this one about two times a week.
How to Use: Mix everything in a small bowl until you get a paste-like consistency. Apply it to your stovetop and let it sit for 5 minutes. Scrub gently with a damp sponge, paying extra attention to spots around the burners. Wipe clean with a wet cloth and dry thoroughly.
3. Baking Soda + Vinegar (Moderate Stains)
What You’ll Need:
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- Spray bottle
What It Does: When you’ve got some stubborn spots that won’t come off with soap alone, this duo steps up. The chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda helps lift stuck-on food particles. It’s especially good for stovetops that haven’t been cleaned in a while.
How to Use: Sprinkle baking soda generously over the entire stovetop. Fill your spray bottle with vinegar and spray it over the baking soda—watch it foam up. Let this sit for 10-15 minutes. The fizzing action does a lot of the work for you. Scrub in circles with your brush, then wipe everything away with a damp cloth. You might need two passes on really dirty areas.
4. Baking Soda + Hydrogen Peroxide + Dish Soap (Tough, Baked-On Grime)
What You’ll Need:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide (3% solution)
- 1 tablespoon dish soap
What It Does: This is my heavy-duty formula. Hydrogen peroxide adds extra cleaning and whitening power that tackles burnt food, carbonized grease, and those dark stains that seem permanent. I reach for this about once a month for deep cleaning.
How to Use: Mix all ingredients in a bowl to form a thick paste. Spread it generously over problem areas—don’t be shy with it on the really bad spots. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes. For burnt-on messes, I sometimes let it sit even longer. Scrub with firm pressure using your sponge or toothbrush around burner edges. Wipe away with a damp cloth, rinse well, and dry.
5. Vinegar + Dish Soap (All-Purpose Spray)
What You’ll Need:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons dish soap
- Spray bottle
What It Does: This simple spray is perfect for quick daily cleaning and maintenance. It cuts through grease and leaves no residue. I keep a bottle of this next to my stove at all times.
How to Use: Pour vinegar and dish soap into your spray bottle and shake gently to combine. Spray liberally on your stovetop after it cools down from cooking. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes, then wipe with your microfiber cloth. No rinsing needed for everyday use, but rinse if you’ve used a lot of product on heavy grease.
Tips for Using DIY Stovetop Cleaners Effectively
- Always let your stovetop cool completely before cleaning—this seems obvious, but I learned this the hard way when steam made my paste run everywhere.
- For gas stovetops, remove grates and burner caps first. Soak them separately in hot soapy water or one of these DIY solutions while you clean the surface.
- Test any new cleaner on a small hidden area first, especially if you have a glass or ceramic stovetop. Though these are all gentle, it’s better to be safe.
- Work in sections if you have a large stovetop. This keeps the cleaner from drying out before you can wipe it away.
- Keep a dedicated stovetop cleaning cloth that you wash regularly. This prevents spreading grease around instead of removing it.
DIY Stovetop Cleaners vs. Store-Bought Products
I still keep one commercial cleaner under my sink for absolute emergencies, but here’s what I’ve noticed after switching to mostly homemade solutions.
Effectiveness: For everyday messes, my homemade cleaners work just as well as the expensive stuff. For really extreme situations—like when I forgot about boiling pasta and it crusted onto the stovetop—commercial cleaners might work slightly faster. But my baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixture gets there with just a bit more elbow grease.
Safety: This is where homemade wins big. No harsh fumes, no warnings about ventilation or keeping away from kids and pets. I can clean my stovetop and immediately start cooking without worrying about chemical residue.
The biggest difference I notice? Commercial cleaners work immediately on contact. My DIY versions need a few minutes of sitting time. But that’s actually when I wipe down my counters or load the dishwasher, so it doesn’t feel like wasted time.
FAQ
Can I use these DIY stovetop cleaners on all types of stovetops?
Yes, these work on gas, electric coil, glass, and ceramic stovetops. Just be gentler on glass and ceramic surfaces—use soft cloths instead of scrub brushes to avoid scratching. The baking soda mixtures are non-abrasive when used with a soft sponge.
How often should I deep clean my stovetop?
For regular cooks, I recommend a deep clean with one of the stronger formulas once a month. Use the lighter cleaners or the vinegar spray for quick daily wipes after cooking. This prevents buildup that requires heavy-duty scrubbing later.
Will vinegar damage my stovetop?
White vinegar is safe for all stovetop types when diluted and wiped away properly. Don’t let it sit for extended periods (more than 30 minutes) on natural stone surfaces, but for standard stovetops, it’s perfectly fine. Just rinse thoroughly after use.
Can I make these cleaners ahead of time and store them?
The vinegar and dish soap spray can be made in advance and stored for up to a month. However, the baking soda mixtures work best when freshly made because the chemical reactions start immediately upon mixing. I recommend making these as needed—they only take a minute to whip up.
What if my stovetop has scratches? Will these cleaners make them worse?
The vinegar and dish soap spray can be made in advance and stored for up to a month. However, the baking soda mixtures work best when freshly made because the chemical reactions start immediately upon mixing. I recommend making these as needed—they only take a minute to whip up.
Can I make these cleaners ahead of time and store them?
The vinegar and dish soap spray can be made in advance and stored for up to a month. However, the baking soda mixtures work best when freshly made because the chemical reactions start immediately upon mixing. I recommend making these as needed—they only take a minute to whip up.
Is it normal for the baking soda and vinegar to foam so much?
Absolutely! That foaming reaction is actually what makes this combination so effective. The fizzing action helps lift dirt and grime. Don’t be alarmed—it’s not dangerous, and it’ll calm down after a minute or two.
Can I add essential oils to these recipes?
Yes, adding 5-10 drops of essential oils like lemon, tea tree, or lavender can boost cleaning power and add a pleasant scent. Add them to the vinegar spray or after mixing the paste formulas. Just remember that some oils can be pricey, so this is optional.
