Brown Stains Around Stove Burners

Options

Related Topics

Q: I have owned an old O'Keefe & Merritt stove for many years. With time, the white surface around the burners has become discolored (brownish) and the only way I can hide this is to use foil burner bibs. I then had a (lousy!) cleaning service for a short time. They did do one thing like magic — they sprayed some solution on my stovetop and it turned white. I haven't a clue what it was and fired them before finding out. I have tried bleach-based cleaners, ammonia, and oxalic acid — nothing works. Any suggestions?

article continues below ↓

A: Yes. Next time, ask questions first, toss out the door later. Seriously though, since you've tried the milder cleaners without success (and my magic quotient's used up for the week), it may be time to call in a big cleaning gun:

Trisodium phosphate (or TSP). With caveats, that is.

Although this strong alkali cleaner usually works on jobs soap and water can't make a dent in, use sparingly. Especially on such a classic piece as your O'Keefe & Merritt. Adding a 1/2 tablespoon of this caustic cleaner to a gallon of water should do the trick. Resist the urge to use more — chances are it will remove the white surface paint as well as the unsightly brownish gunk.

You'll need to wear goggles and gloves while doing this cleaning. Make sure the kitchen is well-ventilated before you begin. Mix the TSP solution, scrub, then rinse well. Finally, wash in hot, soapy water to remove any lingering chemicals, rinse thoroughly, and dry.

About Tara Aronson

Tara Aronson is author of Housekeeping With Kids. Her San Francisco Chronicle column entitled "Coming Clean" — focusing on household cleaning and maintenance — reaches 1.5 million readers. Aronson is an expert in home cleaning and organizing. Her advice has appeared in numerous national and regional publications, including Ladies' Home Journal, The Washington Post and Woman's World.

Aronson is fast becoming a familiar face on national television (Living It Up with Ali & Jack, Soap Talk, The Other Half, CNNfn, etc.) and is also a much sought-after lifestyle expert for local television news and radio programs nationwide.