Welcome to the Spring Cleaning for Busy Moms Challenge! Yesterday we cleaned our kitchen sinks, and today, we're going to clean our stovetops. It's time to get rid of all of those crumbs and stuck on gunky things that have been bothering us for so long.
Before we begin, here are the guidelines for the entire challenge. They will keep your from feeling overwhelmed. They apply to today's task too:
Guidelines for the Spring Cleaning for Busy Moms Challenge
- Focus on progress, not perfection. We're not going for Pinterest-worthy images. We just want our homes to look and feel a little bit better.
- Each task should only take 30 minutes. If you want to work for longer, you can. But, if you really dedicate a good 30 minutes to the challenge each day, you'll see great progress. Don't work so long that you're completely burnt out.
- Hydrate while you work. It will make you feel better, give you energy, and keep you going.
- Plan a reward for finishing each daily task. Help yourself stay motivated.
- It's okay to miss a day. Sick kids, vacations, and busy days happen. If you want, you can make it up on the weekend, or on a day when one of the tasks doesn't apply to you.
- The challenge isn't designed to be done in a certain order. If you miss a day, or if one of the tasks doesn't apply to you, just go ahead and start again with the next activity.
- Join our Facebook group for support. Share your before and after photos, talk with others, and make new friends!
Now, on to the stovetops…
How to Clean Your Stovetop Without it Being a Huge Production
- Find out what kind of cleaner you're supposed to be using on your stovetop, and have it ready. I just have a basic gas stovetop, so the directions here are geared toward that kind of stove top. If you have a glass stovetop, or something else, find out what you need to do to clean it properly.
- Set your timer for 30 minutes.
- Remove the burner covers from the stove. You could wash them in the sink. I'm just going to put mine in the dishwasher. Again, check to make sure this is okay for your type of stove before doing it.
- With a wet rag, wipe down the entire surface.
- Wipe down the knobs of the stove, and the display area.
- If you have an oven under your stove, wipe down the front of the oven too.
- Continue wiping the surfaces of your stove until all of those pesky crumbs are gone.
- If you have stuck on gunk, apply a stovetop-appropriate cleaner to the gunky areas. In our house, this is Windex. {In fact, Windex is used for almost everything. Yes, I could be great friends with the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.}
- Continue to try to remove gunk with cleaner, washcloths, and sponges.
- Wash burner covers if applicable.
- Return burner covers to the stove.
- Enjoy a sip or two of your favorite beverage.
Don't worry if you don't get through all of the above tasks. Remember – anything you do during this challenge is making your home a more-organized place! You're making progress, and that's not always easy to do. Way to go!
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