You may think that a glass stove top will be so much easier to clean, but then you burn something on it. Once something is burnt onto a glass stove top, it can seem impossible to get it off. Then there are the fingerprints that show on a dark stove top… and don’t even get me started on streaks! It’s enough to frustrate anyone. Thankfully, it’s really not that hard to make it sparkle again once you know the secrets. Let’s take a closer look at how to clean a glass stove top with ingredients from your cupboard.
If you’re a fan of using common household ingredients to clean, check out our peroxide cleaning tips.
How to Clean a Glass Stove Top with Basic Household Ingredients
Guys, I love my flat top stove. Although we have a decent amount of counterspace in our kitchen, I love that in a pinch, my glass cooktop can provide extra space for putting out a cutting board, serving food, etc.
And the fact that I don’t have to remove burners to clean drip pans is such a blessing. Really. I’m somewhat of a clutz, and I spill things in the kitchen often. Not to mention, I can’t tell you how many times pots and pans have boiled over. It’s so easy to wipe up off the glass cooktop!
However, I didn’t realize at first how difficult it would be to clean up spills that had burned on or that had sat on the surface too long.
Here are the best cleaning tips I’ve found for how to clean a glass stove top to make it sparkle:
Scrape the Surface
When you purchased your stove, you may have gotten a kit that came with a scraper and some cleaner. The cleaner is abrasive and can help remove grease. The scraper is the real workhorse, though. If you don’t have a scraper, you can purchase a kit that comes with everything you need.
Use the scraper to go over areas where food has burnt onto the surface. You’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to remove with the scraper.
To scrape off burnt on food:
- Wipe away any loose crumbs with a damp cloth
- Soak the area in cleaner (plain soap and water will do just fine)
- Let the area soak for about 5 minutes
- Holding the scraper at an angle, scrape the burnt-on food away
- Repeat the process, if necessary, to completely remove the stain
Remember, when using a scraper, never use the corner of the tool. This could put scratches or etches into your glass cooktop.
You can also get ahead of potential grease stains or spills by upgrading your range hoods and cleaning your extractor fan, which will prevent some of the most common stove top cleaning struggles.
Clean with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Next, sprinkle baking soda onto the glass stove top and spray with white vinegar. You want to get the baking soda wet, but don’t want it to dissolve.
Allow the mixture to set for 10 to 15 minutes before using a wet cloth to remove most of the baking soda. Then use a dry cloth to clean up the excess.
As you remove the baking soda, work it around the area so that you clean the flat stove top.
Finish with Vinegar and a Microfiber Cloth
Finally, spray with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water. Not only will this make the glass cooktop shine, but it will also get any remaining baking soda out of the crooks and crevices of the cooktop near the edges.
If the stove top is still greasy, add a few drops of essential orange oil to the mixture to cut through the grease. You can also add lemon juice to the vinegar mixture to freshen the scent up a bit. (Don’t miss our tips on cleaning naturally with lemons!)
Allow the vinegar to set and then wipe clean with a clean cloth.
We’ve found that a soft microfiber cloth works best for cleaning and leaving glass surfaces streak-free. You can get lots of these microfiber cloths cheap on Amazon, Walmart, Target, etc.
Your glass stove top should now be sparkly clean.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Clean a Glass Stove Top:
- Clean I clean up messes while the stove top is hot?
- While you can wipe up messes with a damp cloth, you should never use cleaners on a hot cooktop. It can damage the glass finish.
- Can I just use a razor blade instead of a scraper?
- Some people have success using a razor blade, but I personally haven’t tried it. Whether you use a razor or a scraper, however, it’s important to work in small areas. Do not scrape using wide, broad strokes.
- Can I use Windex to clean my glass top stove?
- Unfortunately not. Stove manufacturers advise against using Windex on ceramic stovetops. The harsh ammonia can etch into the surface, and if heated, while still wet, that will release ammonia gas into the air in your home.
A glass stove top really is easier to clean than a stove with burners. You don’t have to worry about anything boiling over and going down into the stove. However, if something boils over, it will be hard to clean once it sets up. Thankfully, a scraper will make the job much, much easier.
The baking soda and vinegar will also naturally clean and sanitize the stove top. Essential oils can be used with vinegar and water to help cut through any leftover grease. Once you learn how to clean a glass stove top using these methods, you’ll never dread cleaning your flat top stove again.
Don’t miss our post on How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets Like a Pro for more simple kitchen cleaning tips!
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