When we moved into our rental home I had to not only adjust to an electric stove and oven, I also have had to get used to a glass cook top. Say what you will, but it is right up there with tile, stainless steel and laminate flooring as not being my favorite things to keep clean.
I have bought a few different types of cleaners begrudgingly (because they are so expensive!) and they don’t really work that well. I have tried nearly everything I can think of to keep it clean and shiny. Sometimes I get it looking fairly good, but most of the time- ugh! It doesn’t help that I boil nearly everything over that I cook for some reason!
So I figured someone out there must have a frugal and friendly way to clean this lovely little glass cook top. Tell me what works for you in getting your cooktop shiny and clean without costing a small fortune?
{ 14 comments }
I usually heat all my burners up and put a little cleaning solution on them and then use a scrub pad that is safe for the glass top. Usually almost everything comes off, the only thing is you have to watch that you don’t get burned. Actually, that is what the man told me who sold me the stove. Heat them just a little and it is amazing how much easier they are to clean. I was nervous about scratching it with the razors. I’m probably too late to help with this:)
I first wipe mine down with a wet sponge. Then, without drying, pour over some comet (it says nonscratch on it) and then get to scrubbing with the abrasive back of the sponge. I find i can scrub as hard as I want and it will not scratch at all. Once you get a paste forming, burnt on marks come off fairly easy. This is a cheap way to keep it clean. Mind you, you have to keep it up regularly. I do this every other day or so. Sometimes afterward, I spray with easy off cooktop spray and wipe with a paper towel, just for the shine. I regret buying mine too because it is a burden but we are moving soon so fortunately it’s not forever!
Thanks everyone, this is so helpful. I get anxious every time something boils over, too!
Stephanie Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I am so glad I asked, look at all the good recommendations!
Bar Keepers Friend, sold by the comet and ajax is the best cleaner I’ve come across so far. It still takes some elbow grease, but I will not let our home be without it from now on. I also rent a home with a glass cooktop, (hate it, the cooktop, not the home) and have found keeping it clean to be quite the chore. BKF is the answer!
Stephanie Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Yeah all this new decorating stuff that looks good has a long way to go in easy cleaning I am finding out!
I’m another one that uses Bar Keeper’s Friend, although it doesn’t always work on the worst spots. I’m totally ready to try the razor blade trick!
Stephanie Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Is bar keepers friend expensive?
I also use Bar Keeper’s Friend. I typically use it and a damp sponge with an “abrasive” side. With just a little work, it come off flawlessly and you can use a papertowel to wipe off the cleaner once it is dry.
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Stephanie Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Hmmm I would love to have it looking flawless! That would be a first since we moved in!
I agree with RLR and the suggestion to use Bar Keeper’s Friend! It works great- I wrote about it earlier this year:
http://elbowsonourtable.blogspot.com/2009/02/stove-top-success.html
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Stephanie Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Thank you, I will have to read your post since this stuff is new to me!
I use a razor blade, too! Also, I use a scrub called Bar Keeper’s Friend. It’s safe for all kinds of things (cooktops, stainless steel sinks, etc), and it’s not expensive, either.
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Stephanie Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I saw some of this at the store the other day and chuckled at the name of it. I had no idea what it was for. Thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks for posting this, and thanks to everyone who commented! I, too, have a hard time keeping my ceramic top looking nice and hate spending all the $$ on special cleaners! I’ve used a razor blade for scraping…but I’m going to try the baking soda regularly.
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Stephanie Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Yeah, baking soda was a surprise to me. Never would have thought of that. You go first…:)
I let some milk boil over once and that was the biggest mistake I’ve ever made with my glass cook top…. I tried EVERYTHING made for glass cook tops and razor blades and nothing would get the grime off. Finally after researching on the net I came across some recommendations to use regular ole’ oven cleaner (the super stinky, caustic kind
to clean the toughest spots) [just make sure the kind you purchase is safe for glass]. And it WORKS like a charm. Just be very careful that kiddos and such are not around and that you turn on the hood so it filters the chemicals out quickly. I spray it on and let it sit for just a few minutes, then with a glove on scrub it with the red scrubby pad for glass tops and it all comes off nicely. Rinse and dry well so it doesn’t leave streaks. This is a last resort for the toughest spots and I definitely would not recommend doing it more than absolutely necessary, but it really does get it all off.
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I have mixed the baking soda with water to make a paste that I let sit on the very bad spots, but I am now going to try the hot water first–great tip. And the razor blade really is a must.
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I agree. I have the expensive glass top cleaner, but I usually turn to my baking soda and water.
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Stephanie Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Your the second baking soda recommender. I had no idea you could use that stuff. I thought it would scratch it! Thank you!
I’m with Sunny. A razor blade, baking soda and very hot water are your best cleaning tools for a glass top stove. Baking soda acts as a degreaser as well as a very mild abrasive. I usually pour some very hot water on it first, let it sit for a bit, then sprinkle on the baking soda and start scrubbing away with a sponge. Some things require the razor blade, but you’ll be amazed at what the hot water, baking soda and elbow grease will get off your stove top. You can see my post on this same problem on my blog: http://unfinishedmom.blogspot.com/2009/10/cleaning-glass-top-stoves.html
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Stephanie Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Baking soda? That doesn’t scratch it?
unfinishedmom Reply:
October 25th, 2009 at 12:51 am
Nope. Baking soda combined with just a tiny bit of water is very soft; soft enough to clean silver and your glass top stove.
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I have a glass cook-top and one inexpensive cleaning tool that I highly recommend is a razorblade. Not only does it seem like everything I cook spills over, but then it burns on. I was having trouble getting the burned food to come off with just the cleanser so my hubby suggested I use a razor blade. I was very afraid I would scratch the cooktop the first time I used it but I didn’t and it worked great. Now I always keep one handy!
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Stephanie Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
I have had Scott do that for me when it gets really bad. I am so afraid to scratch it, especially since we are renting!
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