Like any other glass surface, the tiniest splatter, smear, or spill will stand out on a glass stove top, tainting its entire look. The easiest and most effective way to keep your stove top clean is to simply wipe it down with a damp cloth after every use. However, if you’ve forgotten to do so or are dealing with extremely stubborn stains, then a more thorough cleaning method is necessary.
You can clean a glass stove top by spraying it with vinegar, sprinkling baking soda on it, and then placing a hot towel over it. Remove the towel after 15 minutes and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the paste. You can also effectively remove burn marks a razor blade or an all-purpose cleaner.
Cleaning a glass stove top properly comes down to using a gentle cleaning solution and a soft cloth. Let’s look at the different ways you can clean a glass stove top and the most effective cleaners for the job, so that you can prevent buildup and preserve your glass surface for years to come.
How Do You Clean a Glass Stove Top?
Regularly cleaning your glass stove top will go a long way in preventing residue buildup, and it will even reduce the risk of fires. Just make sure the stove is turned off and that the stove top has properly cooled down before starting with any of the methods we describe below.
Use Vinegar and Baking Soda
For routine monthly or biweekly cleaning, you’ll have to go a bit further than simply wiping down the surface of your stove with vinegar and a soft cloth.
Tools and Ingredients Needed
- A spray bottle filled with distilled white vinegar (on Amazon)
- Baking soda
- A clean bucket or sink basin filled with hot water
- A clean towel
- Microfiber cloths (on Amazon)
Steps
- Wait for the stovetop to cool down, then generously spray the glass surface with vinegar.
- Sprinkle baking soda over all the vinegar you just sprayed.
- Dip the towel in hot water and wring out all the excess liquid.
- Place the towel on the stovetop, making sure to cover the vinegar and baking soda mixture.
- Let the towel sit for around 10 to 15 minutes.
- Remove the towel and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the vinegar and baking soda.
- Spray the glass surface with vinegar again and then buff out any streaks with a clean microfiber cloth.
- Repeat all the above steps until you’ve wiped away all the residue from your stove top.
Use a Razor Blade
When cleaning your glass stove top, it’s also important to consider the epoxy-like gunk and burn marks staining its surface. Luckily, if used correctly, a razor blade can prove to be very effective in this situation.
Ingredients and Tools Needed
- A scraper tool or razor blade holder (on Amazon)
- A spray bottle filled with distilled white vinegar
- Microfiber cloths
Steps
- Before you start using a razor blade on your stove top, make sure you check its manufacturer’s instructions. If the manual advises against the use of a razor blade, then skip this cleaning method.
- Make sure your glass stove top’s surface is cool.
- Spray the surface with vinegar, paying special attention to the stains and burn marks to soften the residue.
- Gently scrape off the residue with the razor. Make sure you hold your razor properly and don’t use its corners or you’ll risk scratching the stovetop. Instead, hold its cutting edge at a slight angle, making sure it’s as flat as possible, and then gently scrape at the debris until it loosens.
- Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the residue.
- Repeat all the above steps if necessary.
Use an All-Purpose Cleaner
While the vinegar-and-baking-soda method is an effective way of cleaning your glass stove top, you might need a more powerful, store-bought all-purpose cleaner for more stubborn stains and burn marks.
Tools and Ingredients Needed
Steps
- Generously spray your glass stove top with the all-purpose cleaner.
- Use a nylon mesh scrubber to firmly but gently wipe the glass in circular motions. This should remove all the spills, stains, and brown marks.
What’s the Best Cleaner for Glass Top Stoves?
It’s important to note that the best cleaner for your glass top stove depends on the type of stain dirtying it. Here are some of the most common stain types and the cleaning solution that works best for them:
- For boiled-over pans and water stains, use white vinegar (on Amazon).
- For spilled food and old cleaner residue, use baking soda (on Amazon) and vinegar.
- For mineral deposits and micro scratches from cookware, use baking soda, citric acid, and dish soap (on Amazon).
If you don’t know the type of stain on your glass top stove, you can simply use dish soap. Since these cleaners are perfect for using in other rooms of the house as well, it’s best to buy it in bulk.
It’s also a good idea to have soft microfiber cloths and spray bottles, like this one (on Amazon) on hand.
Can You Use Windex on Your Glass Top Stove?
It’s best to avoid using Windex and other glass cleaners on your glass top stove because they release ammonia and may even damage its surface. Make sure you also avoid using any harsh chemicals that could wear away, scratch, or leave residue on the glass surface.
Steel wool scrubbers are also a big no-no, as the rough texture can significantly damage the glass and leave scratches and marks. Even fine metallic textures, like those on Brillo pads, can scratch a glass top stove.
How Do You Get Burn Marks Off a Black Stove Top?
It’s important to get rid of burnt-on food and burn marks as soon as they appear, so they don’t build up and become a permanent part of your stovetop’s surface.
However, make sure you use a non-abrasive cleaner, like vinegar or toothpaste, when cleaning burn marks so to avoid scratching the surface.
Here are some methods you can try:
Use Toothpaste
For more stubborn burn marks, you’ll have to use something that packs a bit more cleaning power. And a toothpaste with baking soda (on Amazon) usually does the trick.
You simply need to rub the toothpaste on all the burn marks and let it sit for around 15 minutes. Then, wipe away the toothpaste with a damp cloth for a shiny, clean cooktop.
Clean With Vinegar
Vinegar is an incredibly versatile ingredient, and chances are that you already have it in your pantry. Luckily, vinegar is an excellent degreaser and will get rid of all the burn marks on your black stovetop in no time.
Simply pour the vinegar into a spray bottle, spray it generously all over your cooktop, and then wipe away all the burnt food with a clean, damp cloth.
Use The Pink Stuff
The Pink Stuff (on Amazon) is a wonderful cleaning paste. From pots and pans to bathroom tiles, you can use it to clean almost everything in your home.
So, it comes as no surprise that it works wonders on a glass stove top as well. Just dampen a microfiber cloth and then use a bit of The Pink Stuff to clean stuck-on food and burn marks.