Cleaning the kitchen is a big undertaking, so it's understandable if you miss a few spots. But one spot you shouldn't overlook is the space between your oven and countertop. You know the one; it's where all those crumbs and food debris fall as you cook on the stovetop. And you think, eh, I'll get to it later.
But then later becomes much later, where instead of a gap, you now have a crevice of unholy terror that smells bad — like really bad. However, you don't have to venture into the dark alone; our expert tips are just the thing to fight back!
1. Narrow Gaps
Now, if you have a compact kitchen, the gap between your stove and countertop is most likely narrow. So narrow that you don't think you can get in there to clean it all out. But you'd be wrong; instead, try the following:
- Grab a butter knife and gently scrape debris toward you.
- Spray cleaner on a paper towel or microfiber cloth and wipe the crack clean.
- If you can't reach it all the way, wrap the paper towel or cloth around your butter knife and use it to clean it.
Pro Tip: If you need more space to maneuver the edges, try using an old credit card (or expired gift card) instead of a butter knife.
2. Wider Gaps
If the space between your stove and countertop is a little wider, the cleaning process should go smoother. You'll have more room to maneuver and even use a vacuum to really get it clean.
- First, get a microfiber cloth and a plastic spatula or yardstick.
- Wrap the cloth around the spatula or stick.
- Use it to clear out the debris. You can also spray cleaner on the cloth before wiping.
- Follow up with your vacuum using a long attachment to get the smaller crumbs and other food debris.
3. Widen the Space
Cleaning a tiny gap is a lot of work, and sometimes there's just no getting it as clean as you'd like. But if you have a freestanding stove, then you're in luck — you can give yourself more space to clean!
Try moving the stove away from the wall, so there's enough space for you and a broom. Then thoroughly sweep the floors and get all the food debris from the area. And since you're back there, you can also use the opportunity to wipe down the walls and get rid of the grease buildup and smoke residue.
When you're done, grab your vacuum and suck up any remaining crumbs you couldn't get with your broom. And if you want to go the extra mile, you can make it even more squeaky clean by mopping the floor.
Bonus: Counter Gap Covers
Even though these tips are helpful, wouldn't it be nice if you didn't have to go through all that trouble just to clean your kitchen? Yes, it would. And thankfully, others thought so too!
Instead of trying to clean the gap, remove the problem entirely by using counter gap covers! These covers fit snugly between your stove and countertop and prevent crumbs and other food debris from falling into the gap in the first place. This way, you only have to clean the covers — no need to mess with the gap of despair!
Bonus: Under the Stove
You might think that the gap between your stove and counter is all you need to worry about, but your kitchen is hiding another secret — the space under your stove! It's not something you think of because it's out of sight, so it's usually out of mind. But even so, this spot is one you don't want to overlook since food bits also collect here.
Thankfully, cleaning it out is easy if you have a broiler, warmer, or storage drawer. All you have to do is remove the drawer or panel and sweep or vacuum the mess. Even if your stove doesn't have one of these drawers, the bottom panel is usually removable —just make sure to consult the manufacturer's manual for proper removal instructions!
Squeaky Clean Kitchen
Now that you know more about cleaning the gap between your stove and countertop, you'll finally have the sparkly clean kitchen of your dreams! But if all the cleaning in the world won't make your range or cooktop function better, it's time to find your upgrade at !
And if you have any questions, please give us a call or stop by! Our team will help you find exactly what you're looking for to make your kitchen work in tip-top condition!