If you are living on your own for the first time, or are just starting out in married life, you may have questions about when and how to clean your kitchen appliances. How to clean your stove and oven is likely to be one of them. Follow this simple routine to keep your stove clean.

Daily Cleaning

Cleaning cooking spills and splatters after every use will keep your stovetop looking good and operating as it should. Here's what you need to do.

• Wipe up spills immediately with a soft cloth. You may need to use an all-purpose cleaner or degreaser to handle tough jobs, but a damp cloth will remove minor spills.
• Allow the burners to cool after cooking and wipe out the drip pans to remove any bits of food or drips from cooking.
• Wipe down the exterior of your stove with a damp cloth. You may need to use a degreaser to cut grease and banish fingerprints, too.
• Wipe up any spills in the oven as soon as the oven is cool.

Monthly Cleaning

Your stove needs a more thorough cleaning at least once a month. Here's how to tackle it.

• Burners: Remove the burner coils or grates following the instructions in your owner's manual. Gas grates lift off while electric coils must be disconnected and removed.
  1. Make sure your electric stove is turned off and unplugged before removing the coils.
  2. Wipe the coils or grates down with a damp cloth and avoid getting water on the electrical connections of electric coils. If stuck on food resists your efforts, use a non-abrasive cleaner and an old toothbrush to get them clean.
  3. Rinse the soapy residue away with clean water and dry them with a soft cloth.
  4. Check that the electrical connectors are completely dry and put them back on your stove.
• Ovens: There are many commercial oven cleaners available, but if you prefer a non-toxic cleaner, you can make one at home with baking soda and vinegar.
  1. Remove the oven grates from the oven and set them aside.
  2. Mix approximately ½ cup of baking soda with enough water to make a smooth paste.
  3. Coat the inside of your oven with the paste and allow it to set overnight.
  4. Wipe the baking soda out of the oven and scrape any food particles or stuck on debris from the oven. You can use a plastic spatula to scrape the oven.
  5. Fill a spray bottle with white distilled vinegar and spray down the inside of the oven. The vinegar will react with the traces of baking soda left in the oven and begin to foam.
  6. Wipe the oven with a damp cloth until you have removed all the baking soda and vinegar residue. You may need to rinse the cloth in clean water several times.
• Oven Racks: Oven racks are easy to clean if you don't mind tying up your bathtub for several hours. Here's how.
  1. Spread two or three bath towels in the bottom of the bathtub. These will cushion the bottom of the tub and prevent the oven racks from scratching the tub.
  2. Lay the oven racks on top of the towels.
  3. Fill the tub with enough hot water to completely cover the oven racks.
  4. Add about ¼ cup of dish detergent to the water and swish it around until it is sudsy.
  5. Let the racks soak for approximately four hours. This will loosen any food or baked on grease from the grates.
  6. Use a scrub brush to clean the grates and rinse them with clear water.
  7. Dry the grates with a soft cloth and replace them in the oven.

Keeping your stove and oven clean will extend the life of the appliance and prevent issues in the future. Soil and food particles can clog the vents, while grease buildup poses the risk of fire. If you experience problems with your stove that are not solved by cleaning, call an appliance service company, such as Goldman  Appliances Inc, right way to get it taken care of.