How to Clean a Glass Top Stove

Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Last Updated: May 28, 2024 References

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Glass top stoves are often more susceptible to scratches and pits due to their delicate surfaces, especially when cleaned using abrasive sponges and cleaning products. Luckily, cleaning them is easy! Make sure you’ve turned off your stove and cleaned up food scraps and stuck-on food before attempting to clean.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Soaking with Baking Soda and Water

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Fill a bowl with hot tap water and a few drops of dish soap. Create a sudsy, soapy mixture to dip your towel into. Soap chemically reacts with oils to break them up and make them easier to remove, and hot water will help to speed up the process.^{[1]
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- If you prefer, you can use a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water instead of adding dish soap to the water.
A microfiber towel is gentle enough to clean your glass top stove without scratching the stove’s surface. Let the towel soak until it’s saturated with the soapy mixture. Make sure that the towel is big enough to cover the whole stove, and if it’s not, use two towels.^{[2]
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You can just sprinkle it over the stained area, or you can sprinkle it across the entire stove top for a more thorough clean.^{[3]
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Take the towel out of the soap mixture and wring the excess water out. The towel should be damp enough to moisten the baking soda, but not so wet that you create puddles on the stove top.^{[4]
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The towel should lay flat over any areas with baking soda to prevent it from drying out as it sets into the leftover cooking debris. Wait 15-30 minutes before removing the towel to give it ample time to soak into the most stubborn stuck-on food.^{[5]
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Once the time is up, scrub in a circular motion for the best results, picking up all of the weakened bits of food on your stove. The baking soda will act as a gentle scrub to remove any remaining residue.
Use another dry, clean microfiber towel to wipe away any extra residue and to dry and buff your stovetop. If there are still areas with stuck-on food or oil, repeat the baking soda process until they’re gone.^{[6]
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Scrape away any remaining debris with a graspable razor blade. Choose a razor blade that has a handle on it so that it is safe and easy for you to grasp it. Then, press the blade against the edge of the stuck on food at a 45 degree angle to the stovetop. Push forward to slide the rest of the blade under the food and loosen it up. Keep doing this until the food is completely off the stove, then wipe it away with a towel.^{[7]
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- Repeat as needed to loosen any other stuck on food.
- Be careful and go slowly to avoid scratching your stove or cutting yourself. The blade is very sharp!
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Cleaning with a Commercial Cleanser

Hardware stores and some grocery stores will carry cleaners specifically designed for a glass top stove. Some products are available as a pourable liquid, while others come in a spray bottle. Choose whichever type of product you prefer.^{[8]
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Apply the cleaner liberally. Pour or spray the product onto various areas across the stove, focusing particularly on areas where you can see or feel grease build-up^{[9]
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Use a non-abrasive scrubbing pad to rub the cleaner into the grease and stuck-on food. If you need extra scrubbing power, use the edge of a silicone spatula to scrape at the burnt-on food.^{[10]
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Use a razor blade with a handle to scrape off any remaining food. Hold the razor blade by the handle at a 45 degree angle to the stove and press it against the edge of the stuck on food. Push the blade forward to get the blade under the food. Keep scraping the blade towards the stuck on food at an angle until the food comes off.^{[11]
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- Repeat to loosen food in other spots on the stove.
- Go slow and be careful to avoid scratching your stove or hurting yourself. The razor blade is very sharp!
Use a paper towel or a microfiber cloth to wipe up the excess cleaner and buff the stove. You may need to swap the towel out for a fresh one if it becomes saturated. Polish the stove until it's dry and shines enough for you to see your reflection.^{[12]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaining a Clean Stove Top

The longer you allow food spills to sit on your stove top, the more likely they are to harden and become difficult to remove. If you’re worried you’ll forget to return once the stove is cool, set a timer for 20 or 30 minutes once you’re done cooking.^{[13]
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Create the same soapy solution as above (a bowl of warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap) and use a non-abrasive scrubber to wipe up food and oil.^{[14]
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Research source} Doing this once a week will help you keep up with the cleaning and avoid grease build-up.
If your glass stove top has streaks or water spots after cleaning, wipe the stove down with a soft cloth doused with 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar.^{[15]
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Research source} You can also use a regular glass-cleaning product as well.

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Expert Q&A

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Question

I have black stains on my glass stovetop and nothing takes them off! What can I do?

Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Founder, Mulberry Maids
Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Michelle Driscoll, MPH

Founder, Mulberry Maids

Expert Answer

Try the method in this article with the baking soda. This will be your best bet. You can even spritz some vinegar over the baking soda when you are ready to scrub it for added power.

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Question

Plastic got stuck to my stove top and melted. How can I remove it?

Community Answer

You can just get a razor blade and scrape it off.

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Question

Is there any easy way to clean out the groove that goes around the perimeter of some glass top stoves?

Community Answer

I use several toothpicks and wipe what comes up as I go, getting a new toothpick as needed.

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Tips

Consider wearing a pair of rubber cleaning gloves if your hands are sensitive to hot water and baking soda. Rubber cleaning gloves can help prevent your hands from becoming dry and cracked as a result of cleaning your stovetop using this formula.

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For melted plastic and other difficult dirt, switch on the stove at its most minimum heat and wait for the stove top to get warm. Then scrape off the dirt. The warm stove top is easier to clean.

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If you use cast iron pans on your stove, you may notice black marks or smears afterward. Cleaning the built-up carbonization on the bottom of the pan before use can help prevent these stains and protect your glass stove from related damage.

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