How to Clean a Glass Stove Top

People love glass-top stoves for their sleek appearance that blends in with any modern kitchen design. And with a glass top, you don’t have to clean bulky burner grates or replace drip pans. Unfortunately, there is a downside: even the smallest splatter can stick out like an eyesore on the smooth surface of a glass-top stove. Luckily, cleaning glass stoves is a simple chore as long as you stay on top of it. Even if the mess gets a little out of hand, deep-cleaning your glass stove top can be done with just a handful of common household items.

Can You Use Windex on a Glass Stove Top?

You should never use a household glass cleaner like Windex to clean your glass stove top because the ammonia found in those cleaners can streak or stain the surface of the stove. Try to avoid using any cleaner on your stove that is not explicitly designed for such use.

How to Quickly Clean a Glass Stove Top

For regular daily quick-cleans, all you really need is to spray the stove top with a mix of vinegar and water and wipe it down with a microfiber cloth. If you want a little extra shine, you can also op to use a store-bought product like Cerama-Bryte or Bar Keeper’s Friend MultiPurpose Cooktop Cleaner. If you decide to use a store-bought cleaner, make sure to closely follow the instructions on its label so that you don’t accidentally cause any damage to your stove.

How to Deep Clean a Glass Stove Top

Before you begin to clean a glass stove top, always make sure it’s cool, for safety and to prevent causing damage or further spotting. Consult your manufacturer’s instructions for any specific cleaning product recommendations. Using the wrong product could accidentally void an existing warranty. So, how do you clean a glass stove top? The following steps will do the job.

Step One: Raid Your Pantry

The best way to clean a glass stove top is with a product that’s probably already in your pantry: vinegar. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spray the surface of your glass top. Then use a damp cloth to wipe away any debris. Vinegar also acts as a degreaser.

Step Two: Apply Baking Soda

Sprinkle baking soda over the entire surface. Baking soda packs a one-two punch for cleaning as it breaks substances down but the abrasive quality is mild enough you can scrub without scratching.

Step Three: Allow It to Set

Soak a large towel with hot water, wring out most of the excess water and then drape it over the entire stove top surface. Leave the towel there for at least 15 minutes so the warm water and baking soda can loosen stuck-on crud. Remove the towel, then target any trouble spots with a non-abrasive scrub pad before wiping clean.

Step Four: Wipe Everything Down

Wipe your stove top down again with vinegar and a microfiber cloth, then buff it with a dry cloth for a streak-free shine.

How to Clean Your Stove Top With a Razor

Consumer Reports Home Editor Dan Diclerico says for hard-to-clean spills or burned-on messes, gently scrape with a single-edge razor blade at a 45-degree angle to get under the spill without scratching the surface.

“Keep in mind while you’re cooking that sugar-based stains like chocolate or even tomato sauce need to be removed while the surface is still warm, otherwise they could end up binding to the glass,” Diclerico says.

How Often Should You Clean Your Stove?

Regularly cleaning a stove top will help with two things: keeping your kitchen sparkling and clean and keeping your stove working properly. Regular light cleanings should be enough to keep your stove in good working order. Deep cleaning a glass stove top should only be necessary once a year to get rid of any stains or messes that have really had a chance to set in.