11 Diwali Cleaning Hacks That Don't Require a Week Off

9. Fast Stove and Hob Degrease

Materials needed: baking soda, warm water, soft sponge, spray bottle with dish soap solution. Make a paste of baking soda and warm water and apply to greasy stove areas, focusing on burners and splatter zones. Let the paste sit for 10–15 minutes so it loosens baked-on grease. Wipe with a damp soft sponge and spray with mild soap solution for stubborn spots. Time estimate: 15–20 minutes for a standard four-burner stove. Pro tip: remove burner grates and soak them in a vinegar-water solution to lift grime while you scrub the hob surface. Natural pastes reduce strong chemical fumes and leave the kitchen smelling cleaner quickly (India Today and Times of India recommend gentle, ingredient-based degreasing for household stoves).