Smooth glass stovetops are great appliances. But even small specks or spills can stand out on the surface. What’s even worse is, if you do not keep the surface spotless, those food particles can burn to the stovetop, making it look old and dirty. Getting that showroom shine back requires a little bit more than elbow grease. If you have a glass stovetop oven or are considering buying one, here is how to clean a glass stovetop to keep your kitchen in tip-top shape. This guide will walk you through daily, weekly, and deep cleaning steps.
Basic Cleaning Tips for How to Clean a Glass Stovetop
To start, the best way on how to clean a glass stovetop is to wipe it down after each use. To prevent grime from becoming a larger issue, all you need is a microfiber cloth and some white vinegar and water. Vinegar is a powerful cleaning solution. You can use it to clean up anything from stains to mold, grease, and more.
The first thing you want to do is mix a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. Gently dab the cloth in the solution. Then, thoroughly wipe the surface in a circular motion, making sure you get all the spots.
We understand that most individuals are busy, and taking the time to wipe down your glass stovetop after each use can be a hassle, especially in the morning. Fortunately, there are other ways for how to clean a glass stovetop.
Pro Tip:
When cleaning, avoid using abrasive cleaners like a scouring brush, a scrubbing pad, or anything with rough bristles or grainy textures. Since glass stovetops are smooth surfaces, these items can leave behind little scratches and dings that make your stovetop lose its shine.
Weekly Cleaning Tips for How to Clean Glass Stovetops
If you had a busy week and forget to wipe down your glass cooktop, don’t worry! There is still an easy way to get the residue off. Remember, stains form quickly on the surface, so you will need a more thorough cleaning method this time around. Here is how to clean a glass stovetop each week:
- The first thing you want to do is make sure your stovetop is off and completely cool.
- Next, you want to use a white vinegar spray bottle and generously spray the surface. If you do not have a white vinegar spray, you can easily find quality cleaning products on Amazon.
- Then, go to your utility closet and find some baking soda. Generously sprinkle the baking soda on top of the vinegar to spot treat hard stains.
- Once the baking soda is set, grab a soft towel and soak it in hot water. Wring it out, and put it on top of the baking soda and white vinegar mix.
- Now, sit back and let the mixture work its magic. You want to leave the towel on top for 10-15 minutes.
- Once the time has passed, remove the damp cloth and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the residue.
You can also spray more vinegar afterward to wipe away any streaks. However, if it has been a couple of weeks since you last cleaned your oven and this method does not make your glass stovetop look new, then you may need to resort to deep cleaning.
PRO TIP: Did you know that a dirty stove and uncleaned oven are one of the top areas that affect you from getting your full security deposit return upon move-out. Don’t skip out on cleaning your stove inside and out.
DIY Deep Cleaning Tips
Sometimes you cannot remove baked-on splatter and grime with a daily or weekly cleaning method. If you are at this point, set aside an hour or so to ensure you can complete the whole job. Deep cleaning your glass stovetop is the most labor-intensive cleaning method. Here is how to clean a glass stovetop in seven easy steps:
Step 1: Wipe Down the Surface With White Vinegar
The first thing you want to do in the deep cleaning process is to wipe down your glass stovetop with white vinegar. Although a vinegar wash will not remove those pesky stuck-on stains, it will remove more recent ones and make the subsequent cleaning process much easier. Just like before, do not forget to turn off your stove. It should be completely cool before you start the cleaning process.
Step 2: Use a Cleaning Solution or Powder to Remove Burned-On Stains
Do you need to know how to clean a glass stovetop with a lot of nasty burned-on stains on your glass stovetop? If so, then powders and pastes like Bar Keepers Friend are a great cleaning solution choice. That particular brand is a popular cleaning product, so you could probably find it at your local Walmart or convenience store.
To start, you can either sprinkle the cleaning powder directly on the surface or make a paste out of it by mixing it with water. Let the cleanser sit for a couple of minutes, then wipe the surface clean with a damp microfiber cloth. You may have to repeat the process a couple of times to remove the stains. However, if you cannot remove the stains, you may have to resort to stronger cleaning methods. We cover these in steps 3 and 4.
Step 3: Combine Baking Soda With Dish Soap and Hydrogen Peroxide to Tackle the Toughest Stains
If it has been a while since you last cleaned your glass stovetop, there may be some stubborn stains that will be quite difficult to remove. The best way on how to clean a glass stovetop with pesky stains is through a combination of baking soda, dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide.
First, you want to disperse dawn dish soap on the surface evenly. Then, cover the surface with baking soda. Lastly, add a few tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and let the concoction sit for a couple of minutes. After some time has passed, grab a dish scrubber with soft, fine bristles and thoroughly scrub the entire surface. You may need to dedicate more time to specific areas heavily affected by grime and gunk. However, if you still cannot remove some of those stains, move on to step 4. If your glass stovetop is looking good, then go ahead and move on to step 5.
Step 4: Use A Razor Scraper
No matter how hard you try, some stains cannot be removed by traditional cleaning products. If this is the case, you want to use a handheld razor blade to scrape off the remaining stains. If you’ve had to clean a charcoal grill with a razor scraper before, many of the safety tips are the same.
However, before you start, check the manufacturer’s care guidelines. Sometimes companies caution against using razor blades to scrape stains off the surface. You can generally find these instructions in the product handbook, or a quick Google search works just as well.
Follow these steps:
- Spray the impacted area with white vinegar.
- Hold the razorblade as flat as possible against the stove and begin to gently scrape away at the grime.
- Provide uniform pressure on the razor blade during the process.
- Avoid using the corners of the blade to minimize the risk of scratching the glass.
After you successfully scrape away a stain, wipe down the area with a microfiber cloth to remove the material. Repeat the process until you remove all stains. Once completed, you can move on to the next step.
Step 5: Use a Glass Cleaner and Cloth to Clear the Surface
Once you remove all of the stains, you can finish the cleaning process by spraying the surface with a glass cleaner and wiping it down with a microfiber cloth. Microfiber fabrics are smooth and soft (so you do not have to worry about it leaving scratches), and they make the surface area streak-free. Likewise, they are cheap, and you can find them at your local grocery store. After you do a quick scrub, clean up the work area, and marvel at your fresh glass countertop.
Optional: Polish the Surface to Give It a Showroom Shine
If you already went through the entire process of deep cleaning your glass stovetop oven, you can add some polish to give it that showroom shine. This is perfect for when you have guests coming over. There are countless different countertop polishes you could use and find online. If you have some polish around the house, then put some on. However, this step is entirely optional.
If you decide to add some polish, all you have to do is dampen a microfiber cloth with some paste, rub it evenly on the surface, and let dry.
Now that you know how to clean a glass stovetop, the best thing you can do is to try and clean it as regularly as possible. Under no circumstances should cleaning your glass stovetop be an annual occurrence likes your spring cleaning regimen. Deep cleaning can be a tedious chore, so give it a wipe-down regularly to keep your kitchen sparkling clean all year long.
Additional Cleaning Resources
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