How to Clean
a Glass-Top Stove

A shiny new glass-top stove is a beautiful thing to behold. The light bounces off the perfect finish and creates a bright and elegant atmosphere in your kitchen. Fast-forward a year or so, and that once-glistening stovetop is now just a dingy, dull appliance. If this scenario has happened in your kitchen, you can learn how to clean a glass-top stove and restore it to its former glory.

But how can something so beautiful and modern as a glass-top stove turn ugly so soon? Splatters, spills, burns, and scratches are part of the package when you have a glass stovetop. Daily cleaning will go a long way toward keeping a clean glass stovetop, but the grease and grime will take their toll. If you are one of the few who reads the manufacturer’s cleaning and maintenance directions and sticks to the schedule, good for you. For the rest of us, here’s how to clean a glass stovetop.

Glass-Top Stove Cleaning Basics

If you don’t have the manufacturer’s directions handy, you can still learn how to clean a glass-top stove. We’ve spent the last 40 years cleaning millions of homes across North America, so we’ve cleaned our share of glass stovetops. Now we want to share our proven methods for cleaning glass-top stoves so cooks everywhere can bring back that beautiful shine.

You can’t prevent every scrape and spill, but you can do the next best thing by cleaning your glass-top stove after every use. While cleaning your stove every day may seem like a burden, routine cleaning is easy when you use our pro tips.

When you’re learning how to clean a glass-top stove regularly or delving into a deeper clean-up, follow these glass stovetop cleaning basics:

• Follow the warranty. If your stovetop is still under warranty, using the wrong cleaning products or tools could void it. If you’re unsure about your warranty, rest assured that the products we recommend for cleaning a glass-top stove are safe to use on glass stovetops.

• Allow your glass stovetop to cool down completely before you do any cleaning. Not only can a hot stovetop be a hazard, but using cleaning products on heated glass could cause permanent staining.

• Remove the control knobs and soak them in your sink with hot, soapy water. Wipe loose debris, grease, and dirt from the glass stovetop with a damp microfiber cloth.

• Turn on your range hood fans and lights. You’ll want ample lighting to spot all the grime and even though you won’t be using harsh cleaners, the fan will help ventilate vinegar and other fumes.

You won’t need harsh commercial cleaning products to clean a glass-top stove either. Most homes already have safe and eco-friendly cleaners ideal for cleaning glass-top stoves and even gas stove burners. Now that you know the cleaning basics, let’s check out an easy and simple daily routine for how to clean a glass stovetop.

Daily Cleaning for Glass-Top Stoves

Spills happen. But that doesn’t mean they have to make your stovetop so unsightly. When a pot boils over or grease splatters, it’s easy to wipe up what you can right away. Grab a paper towel and wipe up the mess carefully to avoid hot burners.

As soon as you finish cooking and remove your cookware, wipe the glass with paper towels while grease and grime are still liquified. This quick cleanup will let things wait until after you’ve enjoyed your meal.

Here’s what you need:

• Distilled white vinegar
• Baking soda
• Toothpaste
• Liquid dish soap

Distilled White Vinegar

White vinegar is a safe and natural degreaser and glass stovetop cleaner that is inexpensive and effective. For daily cleaning, fill a spray bottle with half vinegar and half water. Spray down the glass stovetop after each use and use a damp cloth to wipe away grease and stains.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural and eco-friendly deodorizer and cleaner that works wonders on glass stovetops and many other surfaces. Sprinkle baking soda on the glass and lay damp paper towels on top. Let the baking soda work on the grime for 15 minutes, then wipe the dirt and residue away with paper towels. Wipe down the stovetop with a clean damp cloth to remove the remaining baking soda residue.

Toothpaste

A quick and easy way to tackle stains before they get too bad is to use toothpaste. As soon as you notice a stain or light buildup, you can usually remove it by rubbing toothpaste onto the soiled area with a damp cloth. Scrub away the grime and wipe away the residue with a damp cloth.

Pro Tip: Be mindful not to scrape the bottoms of your cookware on the glass stovetop each time you cook. In addition, always use clean, dry cookware when you’re preparing food on a glass stovetop to avoid transferring dirt and grease during cooking.

How to Deep Clean a Glass-Top Stove

Glass stovetops are attractive and durable, but even when you are cleaning a glass-top stove regularly, they get scratched and stained. If you want to keep your glass stovetop looking its best, you’ll want to give it a monthly deep cleaning on top of daily maintenance.

Here’s what you need:

• White vinegar

• Razorblade

• Mr. Clean Magic Erasers

• Baking soda

• Liquid dish soap

• Nylon scrubber

• Lemon juice

For mild buildup, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are strong enough to cut through grime but gentle enough to use on glass stovetops. Simply wet the eraser, wring out the excess water, and gently wipe the residue away. To tackle baked-on grime and stubborn stains, you’ll need more firepower.

If you’re wondering  how to clean a glass-top stove with burnt-on crud, the easiest way is often using a razor blade. As long as you are careful, a razor blade won’t harm the surface. You’ll want to work slowly and keep the glass wet.

• Wet down the stovetop with undiluted white vinegar and let things soak for 10 minutes.

• Carefully scrape away the buildup using the razor blade at a 45-degree angle.

• Mix dish soap and warm water in a bowl.

• Use a nylon scrubber and soapy water to loosen any remaining crud.

• Let the soapy water sit for 10 minutes, and scrape away anything you missed.

• Rinse the stovetop with a clean, damp cloth.

• Buff the glass dry with a microfiber cloth.

Finish up your stovetop cleaning by squeezing lemon juice all over the cooktop. The lemon juice will not only break down any remaining residue, but it will also disinfect your stovetop plus give you a fresh, clean aroma in your kitchen. Wipe away the lemon juice with paper towels, and you should end up with a sparkling, streak-free shine.

How to Fix Scratches On a Glass-Top Stove

Did you know that dull haze that many glass-top stoves take on after a few years isn’t staining from grime or buildup? Most often, the whitish haze haloing your burners is caused by tiny scratches. The scratches accumulate around the burners because that’s where most of us move our cookware back and forth.

Part of learning how to clean a glass stovetop is learning how to handle the inevitable scratches. You can remove the hazy white swirls and smooth out big scratches with remedies you can make or buy.

Baking Soda Paste

The mild abrasiveness of baking soda makes it ideal for repairing swirls and scratches. Mix baking soda and enough water to make a paste and rub it into the scratches and hazy areas with your fingers. Use a damp cloth to remove the residue, and if you still see scratches, move on to the following remedy.

Paint Scratch Remover

Automotive paint scratch removers are used on clear-coat finishes, so they’re specifically designed to fill in scratches as gently as possible. Use a soft, damp cloth to rub the scratch remover into the scratches with a circular motion. Let the scratch remover dry, then remove it with a clean, dry microfiber cloth and buff to a shine.

Car Wax

Car wax doesn’t get rid of scratches as much as it prevents them, along with stains and buildup. Apply car wax to your newly cleaned glass stovetop with a damp cloth. Once the wax has dried, wipe off the residue and buff the glass to make it shine.

Now that you know how to clean a glass-top stove, why not go ahead and tackle your greasy oven? No matter what’s next on your cleaning checklist, you can find plenty of pro tips and how-tos to get the job done right. Whether you tackle the house cleaning or let The Maids take the reins, we want your home to be a cleaner, happier place more often.

With our 100 percent satisfaction guarantee, you can try our popular house cleaning services with zero risk. If you aren’t happy with any area we’ve cleaned, call us within 24 hours, and we’ll make it right for free. Get your no-strings-attached estimate today and find out what The Maids can do for your home.