This TikTok Trick Will Make Cleaning Your Stove Grates Much Easier

Alongside makeup tutorials and viral dance trends, TikTok is full of amazing and niche cleaning hacks. You just need to know where to look. On the app, cleanfluencers are sharing how they make long and difficult chores less of a workout, especially in the kitchen. If you dread cleaning the stove at the end of the week because of the grease buildup, then this TikTok trick will make tackling your stove grates so much easier. TikTok creator Stephanie Booth tapped into this when she shared how she deep cleans her stove grates, and you'll be shocked by how easy it is. In a clip that has gained over 10,000 likes, Booth said that her most commonly asked question is how she cleans her stove grates.

Instead of cleaning them on top of the hob, Booth removes her grates and puts them in a sealable bag. She then adds 1/4 cup of ammonia. She seals the bags very securely and then leaves them outside overnight. In the morning, she goes over the grates with a sponge, and the grime falls away. Booth explains that this hack works because the fumes from the ammonia loosen the grease attached to the grates. ChemicalSafetyFacts explains that ammonia is a common ingredient in many cleaning products, especially those used to break down oil. However, you should be careful when handling it.

How experts suggest you clean your grates

Ammonia isn't the only at-home substance that you can use to clean your stove grates. Taste of Home explains that you can create a cleaning mixture out of baking soda and water. Mix the two ingredients until you have a thick paste, and then coat your grates in it. Leave the paste on for a short while, and then wash it off using a sponge. The grease should come off without much scrubbing.

If you don't have too much grease build-up on your stove grates, then consider using vinegar. LoveToKnow explains that you can create a solution that's 1/2 water and 1/2 vinegar. Submerge your grates in the solution and leave them for 30 minutes. Once they have soaked, you can either use an abrasive sponge or a soft bristle toothbrush to remove any residual dirt. If you don't have vinegar in your cupboard, then a solution of lemon juice and water can work similarly. By sealing your grates into a bag with the acidic solution, the grease should break down slowly and become easier to wipe off. If you prefer storebought solutions over home remedies, then remember to wash your grates with soapy water afterward. Apartment Therapy warns that if you use any products on your stove grates, but especially harsh chemicals like ammonia, you should ensure that you wash over them thoroughly afterward to get rid of any leftover solution.