4 Ways to Clean a Glass Stove Top & How to Prevent Scratches

Glass stove tops often get covered in burn rings, baked-on food, and mineral deposits. That's why we're here to explain all the best ways to clean your glass stove top with whatever you have on hand at home. We'll even cover how to remove and prevent scratches so your stove top looks brand new.

Easy, DIY Way to Clean Glass Stove Top

Spray a 1:1 vinegar and water solution over the surface of the glass stove top. Use a damp sponge or microfiber cloth to gently scrub the stove top, paying special attention to stains and food build-up. Finish by wiping the stove top free of all residue with a clean cloth.

Section 1 of 7:

Cleaning a Glass Stove Top with Vinegar & Water

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Make a vinegar and water solution to remove burn marks and stains. This is a cheap, natural cleanser. Mix a 1:1 solution of distilled white vinegar and water. Pour it into a spray bottle and spray a generous layer over the entire stovetop. If you see any food build-up, grease, or burn marks let the solution sit on those areas for 10-15 minutes before wiping the stove top surface with a clean, damp microfiber cloth.^{[1]
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- Make sure the stove top is turned off and cold to the touch before using any type of cleaner on it.

Section 2 of 7:

Cleaning a Glass Stove Top with Baking Soda

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Use a baking soda and water paste to remove baked-on food. Sprinkle baking soda over a stove top, then lay a microfiber cloth soaked in warm water or a 1:1 vinegar and water cleaning solution over it. Leave it for 15-30 minutes, then rinse the cloth out in and use it to scrub the baking soda into the stove top. Finish by wiping the surface clean with a soft sponge soaked in cold water.^{[2]
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- For stains that just won't lift, let the baking soda sit for 30 minutes before cleaning it up.^{[3]
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- If the food doesn't come loose after you follow the above steps, spray the stain with water or a homemade vinegar solution. Next, use a wet razor blade or wet pumice stone to carefully scrape up the food particles. Work the blade or pumice in one direction only to avoid scratches.

Section 3 of 7:

Cleaning a Glass Stove Top with The Pink Stuff

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This cleanser is mildly abrasive, which is perfect for helping you lift all those stuck pieces of food. To use, scoop a thumb-sized amount of The Pink Stuff onto a damp sponge. Then work it into the stove top in circular motions, giving special attention to greasy areas and baked-on food. Rinse out the sponge and use it to wipe the stove top clean.^{[4]
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Section 4 of 7:

Cleaning a Glass Stove Top with Bar Keepers Friend

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Dampen a sponge and rub the Bar Keepers Friend powder into the stove top using circular motions. Let the powder sit for 1 minute before rinsing out your sponge and then rubbing it or a damp microfiber cloth over the stove top to remove the cleanser residue.^{[5]
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Section 5 of 7:

How to Remove Light Scratches from a Glass Stove Top

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Apply a glass stovetop polish to the scratches. First, clean the surface with the cleanser of your choice (like Bar Keepers Friend), then apply the stovetop polish and buff it with a microfiber cloth, working in circular motions. Clean up the excess polish with a clean, damp cloth.^{[6]
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- If you don't want to buy or can't find glass stovetop polish, use car wax instead and follow the same process as above.

Section 6 of 7:

How Often to Clean a Glass Stove Top

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Use your cleanser of choice along with a soft sponge or microfiber cloth. Reserve scrubbing with baking soda paste and scraping with a razor or pumice stone for particularly stubborn messes. ^{[7]
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Section 7 of 7:

How to Prevent Scratching Your Glass Stove Top

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Rough objects include stiff sponges, paper towels, and scouring pads, as these can all etch the glass surface of your stove top. Harsh chemical cleaners like bleach and ammonia-based cleaners like Lysol can also damage the glass.^{[8]
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These tips – as well as ensuring the stove top is also wet – will prevent scratches according to cleaning expert Ashley Matuska.^{[9]
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Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner

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If food is still stuck to the bottom of a pot or a pan, it may have hardened and become sharp enough to scratch the glass when you set it down or move it.^{[10]
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This will prevent scratches and abrasions caused by the friction between the cookware and the glass surface of your stove top.^{[11]
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Any sharp, hard, or heavy dish or utensil can leave a mark on your glass stove top when dropped on it from a height. ^{[12]
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