Learn how to clean glass stove-top surfaces with simple supplies and easy tips to remove grease, stains, and cooked-on messes.
If you have a glass cooktop, you already know how quickly spills and cooked-on grease can turn into a crusty mess that feels impossible to clean.
I finally decided to tackle mine during spring cleaning because the second the weather warms up, I want to be outside, not scrubbing the kitchen.
My mother-in-law showed me this method after we moved in, and I honestly could not believe how shiny the stove looked afterward.
This cleaning method worked really well for me, but it is always smart to check your stove manufacturer's care instructions before trying anything new on electric cooktops.
Skill Level: Beginner
Total Time: 20 minutes
Supply List
- Paint Scraper (or cooktop scraper with a razor blade)
- Homemade Laundry Detergent
- Sponge (or nonabrasive cleaning pad)
- Paper Towels (or a dry cloth)
- Glass Cleaner (or cooktop cleaner)
Before You Start
Glass stove-top surfaces can scratch more easily than people realize, so gentle pressure is important.
The goal is to loosen the cooked-on mess without damaging the finish. A cooktop scraper helps remove burnt food and grease, but you do not want to press too hard or drag debris across the surface.
Make sure the cooktop is completely cool before starting any cleanup.
Instructions
Remove Burnt-On Messes
Start by using the cooktop scraper to carefully remove large burnt pieces of food and heavy buildup.
Hold the scraper at a slight angle and gently slide it across the glass cooktop. Let the blade do the work rather than using excessive force.
Once the larger pieces are removed, wipe away the loose crumbs and residue with paper towels or a dry cloth.
Apply the Cleaning Mixture
Next, pour hot tap water over the stained areas of the cooktop. The heat helps soften grease and cooked-on spills.
I used my homemade laundry detergent, and it worked surprisingly well. You can also make a simple baking soda paste by mixing baking soda with a little water until it forms a spreadable consistency.
Sprinkle or spread the cleaner over the burners and let it sit for a few minutes to loosen the mess.
After it has had time to work, use a sponge or nonabrasive cleaning pad to gently scrub the surface.
You do not need to wipe it away yet.
Scrape and Shine
Once everything has softened, grab the cooktop scraper again and gently go over the surface. This step removes any remaining residue, leaving the stove looking much cleaner.
If you run into stubborn spots, apply a little more cleaner and repeat the process instead of scrubbing aggressively.
After the cooktop looks clean, wipe everything down thoroughly with a damp cloth.
To finish, spray the surface with glass cleaner or cooktop cleaner and buff it dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. This helps remove streaks and restores the stove's glossy shine.
Helpful Tips
Try to wipe up spills quickly whenever possible because sugary messes and grease become much harder to remove once they cook onto the surface.
Avoid abrasive scrubbers or harsh cleaners with ammonia unless your stove manufacturer recommends them. Gentler cleaning tools usually work best for maintaining the finish on glass cooktops.
It also helps keep the bottoms of pots and pans clean, since residue under cookware can leave marks while cooking.
More DIY Cleaning
Looking for more homemade cleaning ideas? Here are a few more projects to try next.
Hi, I'm Katie!
I'm so glad you're here. Want to make something fabulous? I'm here to help!
Pat
Thanks so much!!
Katie
You are very welcome!
Penny Henson
Worked fabulously! Thanks so much
Serena| Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Great tip! I don't have a glass cook top any more but when I did boy was it a booger to clean!
Katie
Thanks Serena! I much prefer gas cook tops, but until then I guess I will just keep scrubbing : )
Bonnie Mauney
So needed this!! Thanks!
Katie
The difference is amazing isn't it : ) Thanks for stopping by Bonnie!
Eileen
Thanks for this. I spend many frustrating minutes trying to keep the stovetop clean.
Katie
You're welcome Eileen! Once you do it, it really helps keep it clean for a while too! But I always end up scraping that stuff off!
Dee
I have never tried this method. I sprinkle it with baking soda, splash on some hydrogen peroxide to make a slight paste, then toss a dish towel over it and let it do it's bubbly magic. I come back later and use my non-scratch scrubby pad and use the blade on any really tuff spots. But, I like your note about it keeping it cleaner afterwards because I feel like once it's clean and sparkly, it's time to get cooking again!
Katie
Hmm... I might have to try that if I'm ever out of my laundry soap. I've done it before without any soap... just the blade, but it seems to take a lot longer and definitely more elbow grease! I think the idea is to soften it up a bit ; ) Thanks for stopping by!
nicoke mckenzie
if younot very dare devilish try sprinkling baking soda on it, then pouring whit vinegar over it, let bubble for a few min then scrub with a sponge. i watched my mom do this yesterday and was really skeptical and thought she might be making a science experiment at one point, but it really works!
Penny finkenstadt
I did a similar method but found a hot wet towel and baking soda with a green scrubber works much better and doesn't scratch the top. Put baking soda on it. Take a towel and get it wet with hot water. Let it sit on top for about 10 minutes. Lift it off, use a green scrubber and it comes off better and doesn't leave it scratched. It takes a little elbow grease but not much. I am lazy and hate scrubbing but this works really good. Make sure you have baking powder on top of the scorch marks when you scub. Can add more if you need it.
Marion J Poke
I used the razor blade method once as something boiled over and burnt, but as we are renting and the ceramic top was put in new after the solid electric plates were already stuffed, I did not want to risk scratching the surface. As we seem to regularly have foods spill over or splash on the surface I found another method.
Using a creme cleanser like "Jiff" or "Ajax" ..I just pour it out over the worst bits and around the cooking circle. Then with a nonscratch scourer dipped in my hot wash-up water I work the creme round in circles over the stove top. A check with fingers running over the top will show if you have missed any. Then I get a clean wet cloth and work the cloth up and down, up and down over the top. Then rinse cloth well and do this again. Then II dry the top with a terry cloth t-towel.
The cheaper store brand creme cleanser also works well, as should your cleaner mix as a paste......
No scratches, and a gleaming top.........
Shelley
Bar Keeper's Friend, a little bit of Dawn dish soap and enough water to make a paste... a little elbow grease and Viola! A non-scratched surface, but nice and clean!
kathy
Wow I'm interested in saving money with homemade stuff
kathy
Wow I'm interested in saving money with homemade stuff
Paul
Soft Scrub bathroom cleaner -- the plain old original stuff, no scratching, no scrubbing. Put it on, wet it up let it set just a bit. wipe it off.
Susannah Allanic
There is an easier way. I use to use Vitro Clen and a microfiber cloth. It is messy and takes a few minutes and then paper towels to polish the streak marks away. Then I decided to try Brake Cleaner. You know, the stuff you spray on your car wheels to get the road grime and dirt off. That is what I use now. A couple of sprays and a microfiber cloth and my ceramic top looks perfect. It is not abrasive, it just cleans. I am careful not to get it on the butcher block counter top that the ceramic top is set into but other than that I've had zero problems.
We bought this house nearly 3 years ago. It came with IKEA kitchen cabinets. They are covered in a vinyl laminate that looks like what I call driftwood and coordinates with the rest of the house quite nicely. But like all kitchen cabinets there are drips and spills that happen. I thought a quick wipe with a damp and slightly soapy rag would do but then noticed it did not. It left a streak even after rinsing and seemed to act like a magnet for dust and pet hairs. I tried several different things then one day, I was cleaning my car with a vinyl cleaner (not armorall , I live in France now ) and had an ah-ha! moment. I grabbed one of my microfiber clothes and tried it on an out of the way place. It works great!
Both the vinyl cleaner and the brake cleaner are part of my kitchen routines now. Also, I polish the sink and bathroom sink with car wax. The car wax (not where a person will stand) makes everything look store new and means no scrubbing.
DazzleWhileFrazzled
Very cool! I use stuff from the store but natural is always best. Visiting from Link Party Palooza.
Janeen
I use bar keepers friend and used bounce dryer sheets with a few drops of water. It doesn't scratch the cooktop and works every time. I also use it on my stainless steel pots and pans. Totally non abrasive
Jennifer
Spray 409 on the stove and let it sit for a few minutes. Use a dull scraper and gently go over the area. It cleans up everything and looks brand new again. I wipe it clean with a paper towel and then a wet sponge. It works great!
Audrey G. Crabb
Hi,
I really admire your post! It is helpful and informative post!
I like all the tips that you suggest to keep glass top clean. It is a big problem to everyone. Proper cleaning is essential to maintaining the effectiveness and longevity of cook-top range. You will also need a nonabrasive cleaner specifically designed for glass cook tops. If you don’t take care of it, you’ll get unsightly build-up along with scratching, pitting and that can lead to cracking.
Remember to clean the stove top after each use so that you never face this build-up issue.
Thanks for posting such a informative post! Keep sharing like this!
Regards
Audrey G. Crabb
toru
I did a similar method but found a hot wet towel and baking soda with a green scrubber works much better and doesn’t scratch the top. Put baking soda on it. Take a towel and get it wet with hot water. Let it sit on top for about 10 minutes. Lift it off, use a green scrubber and it comes off better and doesn’t leave it scratched. It takes a little elbow grease but not much. I am lazy and hate scrubbing but this works really good. Make sure you have baking powder on top of the scorch marks when you scub. Can add more if you need it.