owner’s manual for your stove says they are dishwasher safe). Carefully remove control-panel knobs (usually by pulling straight out) and clean around the knobs’ bases. Wash the knobs in hot, soapy water, rinse, and dry before replacing them.

5. Clean Under the Hood

If your stove doesn’t have a sealed cooktop, food and grease will fall down under the burners. It’s easy to forget about this out-of-view debris, so remember to lift the cooktop to clean beneath it. Follow the owner’s manual instructions for lifting the top without damaging it. Then clean the grease buildup with a sponge and warm, soapy water or a 50-50 solution of vinegar and warm water. Rinse with clean water and a sponge.

6. Clean that Grimy Oven Window

Oven windows tend to become so dirty we can’t even tell what’s in there, let alone whether it’s done cooking. And when you think about it, a dirty window actually reduces the efficiency of your stove because you keep opening the door to check the food. To clean the window, rub it with a damp cloth dipped in baking soda. If stuff is really baked on, wipe the window with ammonia, let it stand for 30 minutes, then scrape it off a plastic ice scraper. Don’t use a metal tool.

6. Clean that Grimy Oven Window

Long Life for Your Stuff