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This cleaning technique uses two common products you probably have in your pantry. Can it really be this easy?We remodeled our kitchen two years ago, replacing our old gas stove and its clunky, hard-to-wash cast-iron burners with a new one with a sleek glass top. While our new top is much easier to clean, some foods can still be a challenge to remove, especially if I let the mess sit for a while. So when this recent TikTok video picked up steam, I paid attention. It demonstrates a simple cleaning method for glass stove tops utilizing two common household products.
As you can see, you shake a generous amount of baking soda on the stovetop, then pour some white vinegar on top of that. Once the mixture bubbles, you scrub it with a dish brush, then wipe with a sponge. For some reason, the TikTokker doesn’t show the final result. Come on, the people want a good before-and-after comparison!
Is It Safe for Glass Stove Tops?This cleaning hack seemed simple enough, and it’s not the first time I’ve mixed vinegar and baking soda. It’s my favorite method for cleaning my beloved Le Creuset Dutch oven. But before trying it out on my new glass stove top, I went to an expert. Jill Notini, vice president of communications for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, gave me the all-clear. “Generally, a baking soda and vinegar solution is an acceptable cleaner for general purposes,” Notini says. “Most people have these items on hand, making them easy to use. These ingredients are also nice because you can either make a looser solution or mix them into a paste, depending on how dirty the surface may be.” How It WorksI waited until after a big pasta dinner left my glass stove top spotted with stains and burnt-on crud. (I’m pretty sure that’s the technical term.) Then I went to work. I laid on the baking soda with a heavy hand, then carefully added the vinegar, which bubbled and fizzed like it always does. Then I tried something they didn’t show on the TikTok video but I’d seen it online: I soaked a kitchen towel in hot water, wrung it out, then laid it on the baking soda and vinegar mixture for 15 minutes. Voila, it worked! Perhaps encouraged by the warm, wet towel, the mixture easily broke up the burnt-on food and tomato sauce spills. Then I wiped it away with a sponge. As Notini noted, you can make the solution as thick or thin as you want. Because I used so much baking soda, mine was more of a paste. It took more elbow grease to wipe up than if I’d made it more liquidy. Next time, I might add more vinegar. Final ThoughtsMany TikTok hacks are questionable, but this one worked fine for me. To be fair, it’s hardly the world’s most original idea. And if you have other ways of cleaning a glass stove top — I like Bar Keepers Friend — there’s no need to change. But I always have vinegar and baking soda in my home, whereas I often run out of Bar Keepers Friend. For that reason alone, I’m keeping this handy trick in my cleaning repertoire. Popular Videosⓘ Have you ever wondered how to clean a glass stove top or get a streak free shine like it was new? Today, I am showing how even the worst disasters can be saved! This tutorial shows how to easily get rid of burnt on residue and water stains using this simple DIY cleaning recipe made with ingredients you probably already have. Glass-top stoves can add a sleek, minimalist look to any kitchen design. They also come with the major benefit of not having replace drip pans or burner grates! But if you have a one of these stoves, you need some specific cleaning instructions to make them last or restore. After 7 years of living with it. we have learned and used all the best tips and methods. Seriously, even the worst disasters including burned on food, melted sugar, and even the dreaded spaghetti sauce explosion. For this, you need the right cleaners for the job to be effective and efficient. Learn how to clean your glass-top stove without scratching it so that you can keep it looking its best. Recommend SuppliesI go into more detail under which circumstances to use each product, but this is a handy list of the products we recommend with links provided.
Things You Should NOT Use
Step By Step InstructionsNot all stoves have exactly the same components or materials. Some glass-stove manufacturers offer specific cleaning instructions, including what products and tools to use and when. Often you can find the manuals online with your model number. Here are some general rules of thumb when cleaning your glass stovetop from our experience and research. Everyday CleaningWith a smooth glass cooktop, especially black, you definitely want to skip anything abrasive or one that leaves a film. This is the routine I use since I cook every day:
Tip: A few years ago, I eliminated all cleaning chemicals in my home using these amazing microfiber cloths. The window cloth is seriously magic! If interested, you can see my review of Norwex here. Removing Hardwater Stains or Cloudy HazeMy go-to for hardwater stains or a cloudy haze is Citric Acid (see here). It’s much like vinegar, but stronger. While I don’t use it for everyday cleaning, it is natural, and I actually use it when I can my garden tomatoes. Citri Acid is found in citrus fruits, but it is weak and diluted in the juice. A powdered citric acid is much stronger. For a higher concentration cleaning solution (like removing hardwater stains):
The Best Cleaner for Glass Cooktops (store-bought)If your stovetop is dirtier than an everyday cleaning would fix, there are a few chemicals that are universally safe for glass ceramic stove tops. I have used Cerama Bryte and Weiman in the past. Both specifically designed for glass ceramic stove tops and not only works well but are easy to use. The Cerama Bryte even comes with a special non-abrasive scrub pad that is safe for your cooktop.
Burned Beyond RecognitionAs I said and you can see, our glass stove top was beyond neglected. Years of burned on messes had piled up nearly a half inch thick in places! We were so excited to actually see some of the stove that we snapped this pic with a cell phone: Anyways, at first, we thought the stove was unable to be saved. However, with a $2100 price tag for a replacement, we developed some major resolve to save the stove. How did we fully restore it? We were left with only one option: gently using a flat scraper. Yes, you can use a scraper blade on a glass or ceramic stove top! However, reserve this method for the last resort disasters. In seven years, we have used this method three times to remove messes that wouldn’t come off any other way. How To Clean Burned Food
Cleaning Enameled GratesIf you have ceramic, enameled, or cast-iron grates, do not use a flat scraper on them. You can use the Cerama Bryte or try soaking them to loosening the grime and use a wooden spoon to nudge hard bits off. If soaking them doesn’t work, you can try mixing a ¼ cup of baking soda per gallon into the water. The stains should release, but I don’t use this too often as I have heard that strong acids or bases can etch enamel or porcelain. Want More Cleaning Tips? These Tutorials Bring out the Sparkle:
And here it is today! This 20-year-old stove still works great! FAQsWhat should you not use on a glass top stove? Unless you have raised grates like some glass cooktops, you should not use cast iron or drag heavy pots across them. For cleaning, do not use anything that is abrasive like Comet, steel wool, or green scrub pads. Magic erasers are fine to use. Can you use Windex on a glass stove top? Commercial glass cleaners are not designed to be used on glass stove tops. The ammonia is too strong, and any residue left behind will streak and stain, especially when the stove heat is turned on. Do glass top stoves scratch easily? They are more prone to scratches from heavy pans, metal utensils, and harsh cleaners than other types of stoves if you do not have grates such as those on a gas stove. Is a ceramic cooktop the same as a glass cooktop? Although they may be called by different names, all flat-top cook stoves are made of a glass-ceramic blend. That means they are the essentially the same thing although each appliance company has a trademarked name for its proprietary process and blend of glass-ceramic. Sign up below to receive updates including free printables, organization tips, home improvement projects, recipes and more! More Cleaning And Organization Tips Cleaning Tarnished CopperSpace Saving Bathroom IdeasDeep Cleaning Printable ListKitchen Deep Cleaning ChecklistPS I love seeing your creations! Be sure to take a photo and tag #cravingcreative on Instagram! You can also stay in touch with me through following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and subscribing to the newsletter!
Everyday Cleaning
Items You Should NEVER Use:
How do you clean a burnt glass stove top?Toothpaste that has baking soda in it will certainly do the trick. Rub the toothpaste on the areas of your stovetop with burnt-on food and let it sit for 15 minutes. Use a damp cloth to wipe away the toothpaste to reveal a shiny, clean cooktop.
How do you get burnt food off a cooktop?To remove burned-on food and stains, Roberts suggests using baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda directly over the stained area and add a bit of water to make a paste. Leave a warm, damp cloth on top of the spot and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then try to wipe the spot clean.
How do you get burnt food off a ceramic stove top?To remove these, you will also need a silicone spatula to help scrape off the stain. Once done scraping, you can then make a baking soda paste and smear the using a sponge over the burned area. Cover the paste with a damp cloth for 30 minutes, then wipe it away.
How do you clean dirty caked on glassWeekly Washing
Once the stovetop is cool, use white vinegar to spray the surface. Next, generously sprinkle baking soda over the vinegar. Place a clean towel, soaked in hot water and wrung out, over the vinegar/baking soda mix. Let this mixture work its magic for 10 to 15 minutes.
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