How To Easily Get Grimy Stove Knobs Squeaky Clean Without Removing Them

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You probably wipe down the stove top regularly, maybe even give the burners a proper scrub. But those knobs, they collect grease like it's a full-time job. And when they're caked with splatters and cooking residue, cleaning them becomes one of those chores you keep promising yourself you'll get to, eventually. Most people think you have to remove them to get them clean, but that's not true. The simplest method involves spraying a multipurpose cleaner onto a microfiber cloth and cleaning around each knob with a little care and a tiny bit of pressure.

So it's that simple, why does it feel like such a dreaded task? Blame it on how easy it is to overlook them. Stove knobs are one of the parts of an oven that everyone forgets to clean, and until they're sticky or start collecting grime, you may not notice them. Plus, no one wants to yank off knobs, risk breaking something, or mess with electrical parts. That's why a no-removal method feels like a small kitchen miracle.

Before you get to cleaning, make sure every knob is turned off and the stove is completely cool. Apart from safety concerns, the heat may cause your cleaner to evaporate too quickly, making the job harder than it needs to be. It's a small step that's easy to miss, especially when you're multitasking in a busy kitchen.

Now, grab a reliable all-purpose kitchen cleaner, like this Ajax Kitchen Degreaser on Amazon. But don't spray it directly onto the knobs. Instead, apply it onto a microfiber cloth. This one simple move makes all the difference because the cloth absorbs enough of the cleaner to be effective without letting excess liquid drip behind the knobs, which could sneak into the panel and cause more trouble than the dirt ever did.

Gently press the dampened cloth against each knob, letting the cleaner do some of the heavy lifting. For crevices and tough build-up, bring in a soft-bristle brush. An old toothbrush works wonders here. Give each knob a good scrub, but no need for brute force. Once the gunk starts to lift, take a fresh, dry microfiber cloth and wipe everything down. You'll end up with clean, shining knobs that didn't need to be pulled apart or left soaking in the sink.