Glass stovetops are a stunning feature to any kitchen, but many ask what’s the secret in cleaning it properly? How do you clean the glass without scratching the surface? How to remove burnt-on food? How can you avoid glass stovetop discoloration? In this post, we will share our secrets, so you can do it on your own!
Cleaning a glass top stove burner: Daily maintenance cleaning is essential for combatting the old stuck-on food. Wipe down the glass, after each use, only when the glass is cool. Cleaning your glass stovetop while it is still hot can cause damage to the glass. Once a week, give your stove top glass a little extra attention. Use a cleaner specific to the job, or make a DIY version using one of the options below. Apply the cleaner and wait 5-10 minutes (or follow the instructions on the bottle) before wiping off. Use a microfiber cloth to dry and buff the stovetop glass to keep it from streaking.
In an effort to avoid scratching the glass we do not advise using scrubbing brushing, scouring pads, Magic Erasers, or other abrasive cleaning equipment. Stick with a microfiber cloth or a soft sponge. There is no need to scrub aggressively as too much pressure may cause the glass to crack. Instead, if a stain won’t come loose, try one of the cleaning methods below to lift it safely without causing harm to the stove top.
GLASS STOVE STAIN TYPE CLEANING SOLUTION
Water stains / boiled over pans White vinegar
Spilled food Vinegar and baking soda
Old cleaner residue Vinegar and baking soda
Mineral deposits Dish soap, baking soda, and citric acid
Micro scratches from cookware Dish soap, baking soda, and citric acid
Cleaning a black glass stove top: Black glass stove tops often show stains and smears faster than alternative colors. There are ways you can keep your black glass looking brand new all the time. As well as wiping down your stovetop after use, and cleaning once a week, here are some additional tips.
- Dry wipe to remove dust before cleaning. This preventatively helps stop dust from collecting and sticking on the stovetop.
- Stray away from soap and soap-based cleaners. Soap leaves residue behind potentially causing your black glass to look smeared. As an alternative, use a cleaner designed for the job, or one that will cut through grease residue, such as white vinegar.
- Use microfiber cloths, not paper towels. Paper towels will leave traces of towels on your black glass.
Black glass-top stove discoloration: Even the best-maintained black glass-top stove may have discoloration. Sometimes simple hard water stains are enough to discolor a black glass stove, nonetheless leftover food. To remove the stains, spray the cold stove top with white vinegar and clean it as normal. The vinegar will cut through stains without causing damage to the glass.
Electric glass stove top: Use a small amount of cleaning solution — either purchase a stove top cleaner or use a DIY solution such as vinegar and baking soda. You will only need around a tablespoon of liquid to start, and only add more if necessary. Dry the glass afterward with a microfiber cloth to remove any streaks and prevent water damage to the electrics.
Stubborn stains on a glass cooktop: Some stains will not respond to the first cleaning. This holds true if you spill hot grease onto your glass cooktop, or use the wrong cleaner. Many commercial glass cleaners are designed for windows and do not react well to being heated. Avoid putting any harsh chemicals, bleach, or ammonia (or cleaning solutions containing those ingredients) on your glass cooktop, even when cold. Instead, use a cleaning solution designed for cooktops. If the first attempt at cleaning is not successful, you may need to repeat it two or three times to remove a stain.
Glass top stove with burnt-on food: One of the best tools to use when tackling burnt-on food is a handheld razor blade, or using a glass top stove cleaner scraper. Always take care when using a razor blade, both because you risk injury and because it can scratch the glass. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions first to find out if you can use a razor on your glass — some glass has a treated surface that a blade will damage. If the glass can be cleaned safely with a blade or scraper, you will need to wet the surface of the stain with water or white vinegar and let it sit for 10 minutes. This allows the stain to soften, and the liquid provides the barrio of protection between the blade and the glass. Then hold the blade as flat to the surface of the stovetop as possible and gently scrape the stain using a forward pushing motion. Once the burnt-on food has been removed, clean the stove top again as normal and all traces of the stain should be gone.
Glass top stove with burnt-on plastic: Burning plastic onto your cooktop is a common mistake to make. The first thing you should do is turn on the extractor fan, open a window, and leave the room until the stove and plastic have cooled. Burning plastic can release dangerous chemicals into the air that should not be breathed in. If the plastic is thin, you can soften it by pouring a little boiling water over the area and leaving it for a few minutes. You should then be able to remove it using your regular cleaning method.
If there is a lot of plastic on the burner, or it has been set very hard, use ice instead of boiling water. Freezing plastic will make it brittle, which can allow it to be removed easier. Work it loose using a wooden spoon and then clean it as usual.
If the plastic still refuses to budge, it’s time to use chemistry to break it down. WD-40 and nail polish remover (acetone) will both break down plastic, making it easier to clean. Only apply these solutions on a cold stovetop, and use them sparingly just on the plastic. Let the plastic sit for 5-10 minutes and then scrape it loose. Once the plastic has been lifted, clean the glass thoroughly.
Removing cloudiness from a glass top stove: Countless things can cause a glass stove top to become cloudy or hazy. If the cloudiness doesn’t respond to normal cleaning methods, it’s probably not a food or cleaning stain. However, it could be mineral deposits from tap water, or even micro scratches from your pans or using the wrong cleaning tools. These can be removed if they are not too deep, but you will need something a little stronger than vinegar to do it.
You’ll Need
- Dishwashing liquid
- Baking soda
- Citric acid
First, apply the dishwashing liquid over the area you want to treat. Cover it with a layer of baking soda. Then make a mixture of 1 tablespoon of citric acid and 1 cup of hot water. Put the mixture in a squirt bottle and squirt the baking soda and dishwashing liquid.
Let the mixture bubble on the stovetop for 20-30 minutes and then gently scrub it clean with a microfiber cloth.
DIY solutions for glass top stoves: Cleaning your glass stove doesn’t have to break the bank, or use any harsh chemicals. You can use ingredients already available at home.
Clean a stove top with vinegar:
- White vinegar
- Water
- Microfiber cloth
- Spray bottle
Mix one part vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle. Spray to your stovetop and clean with a microfiber cloth. The vinegar helps loosen stains and acts as a natural deodorizer.
Clean a glass stove top with baking soda:
- Baking soda
- Hot water
- Paper towels
- Microfiber cloth
Cover the stove top with a thin layer of baking soda. Then soak the paper towels (or a hand towel) in hot water. Wring out excess water and lie the towels on top of the baking soda. Leave for 15 minutes, and then use the towels to gently lift the stain. Remove any residue with clean water and a microfiber cloth.
Using oven cleaner on a glass stove top: It might be tempting to use oven cleaner when you have a stubborn stain that will not come off your glass stove, but we strongly advise against it. Oven cleaners are too harsh and can damage the glass.
In summary, cleaning a glass stove top properly can seem like a battle. With the tools we have provided in this article, you should have no problems working out the stains, all while protecting your family with safe, not harsh, cleaners.
For more cleaning tips and tricks go to http://www.3nchantedfairy-talecleaningcompanyllc.com/ or call (405) 237-6950 to schedule your cleaning.