The Easy Trick That'll Get Your Dirty Cooktop Spotlessly Clean

Since its introduction, the ceramic-glass cooktop has impacted the way cooking is done at home. Using electric heating elements located underneath a ceramic-glass panel to heat cookware, cooktops are a more efficient and safer way to cook food compared to open-flame gas-powered stoves. Capable of cooking faster than conventional stoves, ceramic-glass cooktops also get dirty fairly easily, due to the numerous spills, splatters, and burnt food that it will inevitably be exposed to. Because of this, it's important to regularly clean it after use, and an effective way to get a dirty cooktop spotlessly clean is by using hydrogen peroxide. 

Hydrogen peroxide works as a great cleaner for cooktops because of its chemical composition, which is H₂O₂, an unstable bond that decomposes readily. This rapid decomposition gives hydrogen peroxide its potent cleaning ability to easily remove stains by disintegrating its bonds at the molecular level. Essentially, the oxygen molecule oxidizes and breaks down the stain molecules, making them easier to remove. In addition, hydrogen peroxide has strong disinfectant properties, making it effective against fungi, bacteria, and viruses, which is ideal for use in areas like the kitchen or for appliances like ceramic-glass cooktops. 

It's important to note that because of its strong properties, there are things you should never do with hydrogen peroxide in your home, including cleaning certain types of appliances or fixtures. This includes items that are made from, or have the following types of metal: Aluminum, copper, iron, stainless steel, and brass because hydrogen peroxide is very corrosive, which can result in discoloration, rust, or pitting. In addition, items with wood should not be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide, as it can weaken the timber. 

To clean the cooktop, it's essential to do a pre-cleaning first to remove loose particles or burnt food from the surface using a metal scraper at a low 45 degree to remove the larger bits and avoid scratching the surface. Next, pour a little regular dishwashing liquid on a damp cloth and wipe down the cooktop to clear the remaining grease away. For the more stubborn stains or blemishes, create a cleaning mixture by adding about ½ cup of baking soda to a small plastic container and then slowly pouring in just enough hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) to make a soft paste. Use a damp cloth to liberally apply the paste to the cooktops' stained surfaces.

Leave the paste on for at least 30 minutes to allow it to penetrate and soften the stains, and afterwards use a non-abrasive sponge or dishwashing pad to scrub away the paste. Lastly, use a damp cloth or sponge to remove any remaining dried paste, and dry and polish it out using a microfiber towel. While it's a relatively mild chemical, precautions must be taken when using hydrogen peroxide, including using gloves and avoiding skin contact Additionally, it should never be mixed with other household products like vinegar or bleach, as it can result in dangerous chemical reactions. There are several other surprising ways to use hydrogen peroxide in your home, but it's important to be responsible in its use, as it is a chemical. You might even find that this household staple makes removing limescale even easier than commercially available products labeled for this purpose.