October 1, 2026

Hello Neighbor!

With fall here I find myself entertaining more. It gives me a chance to try out all the recipes for The Daily Recipe Free newsletter I write. (subscribe here). The only downside... it means much more cleanup! I looked at my stovetop grates and oven door and nearly ordered takeout for the rest of the month just to avoid dealing with them.

Instead of scrubbing until my arm gave out, I remembered a trick a reader (thanks Michelle) mentioned to me once and finally gave it a real try.

It does almost all the work by itself while you go do something more fun. Below is how I do mine.

Be Well,
Anisa

Please add anisa@gophercentral.com to your address book or visit here.

Photo: Anisa at her stove, pressing a soap soaked paper towel over a grease stained burner grate.

The Dawn Paper Towel Soak for Stuck On Grease

Hot water and Dawn dish soap, soaked right into paper towels and draped over the mess, break down baked on grease while you walk away. No scrubbing, no scratching, no fumes.

How To Do It

1. Run paper towels under the hottest tap water you have until they are fully soaked.
2. Squeeze a generous line of Dawn dish soap down the center of each towel.
3. Lay the towels directly over the greasy grates, oven door glass, or stovetop, pressing gently so they make full contact.
4. Let them sit 15 to 20 minutes, or up to an hour for really baked on grime.
5. Wipe away with the same towels, then rinse the surface clean.

More Ways To Use It

• The same soak works on greasy range hood filters and broiler pans, just give those a little extra time.
• For microwave splatters, heat a bowl of water with a squirt of Dawn for 2 minutes, then wipe the inside clean, no scrubbing needed.

Got a handy tip of your own? Reply back to me, I love reading your emails!