Spring cleaning is in full swing. That means it's time to tackle those kitchen trouble spots. That pesky gap between your stove and countertop is one of them. This narrow space quickly collects crumbs, grease and debris, making your kitchen feel like it's still messy long after you've scrubbed it. While it might seem like a hassle to clean, especially if it requires moving heavy appliances, there's an easy spring cleaning trick that can help you seal or manage that gap for good.
Because the counter and stovetop are where you'll do the majority of your cooking and mess-making, keeping them clean isn't just about appearances -- it's also about preventing a buildup of food debris and maintaining hygiene in your kitchen.
Most people hate cleaning this space because accessing it usually requires moving the stove, which is a huge pain and can be dangerous. The good news is that you can skip the heavy lifting and awkward cleaning attempts. Luckily, there's a foolproof hack -- all you need is aluminum foil and you'll never need to clean the floor between your stove and wall again.
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How aluminum foil keeps the area between the stove and counter clean
1. Measure the length of the crack and add 4 inches to the length.
2. Tear off a sheet of aluminum foil that is as long as your measurement.
3. Fold the strip of foil in half, lengthwise.
4. Fold over the edges of the foil to make a foil boat-like shape. There's no science to this step. Just crinkle the edges over to form sides.
A fresh boat ready for floor-protecting duty.
5. Slide your aluminum boat into the crack between the counter and the stove so that it is sitting on the floor and pushed back into the shadows so that casual observers can't see it.
It's kind of like a drip pan for that little crack. The aluminum boat will catch all the crumbs and drips. All you need to do is toss it in the trash when it gets dirty and replace it with a new boat.
For more cleaning tips, explore how to wash your bedding the right way and how to clean your kitchen in less than 15 minutes.