Can you use glass cleaner on glass stove top

Your glass top stove is easy to clean, without the hassle of drip pans or burner grates. But not only do the most minimal splatters, spills, and overflows stand out on the reflective surface, they can bake on quickly, requiring frequent cleaning.

The trick is finding a cleaning product that is aggressive enough to tackle greasy residue without damaging the surface of the stove or leaving caustic chemicals behind.

Home-remedy cleaners, such as baking soda and white vinegar, are not the best ways to clean a glass stove top, as they can leave behind unsightly residue that could lead to a second round of cleanup. It's also important that you skip abrasive tools and cleaning techniques, such as scouring pads and even paper towels, as these can scratch the surface of your glass top stove.

Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner removes grease and grime without leaving streaks of cleaning product residue behind on your glass stovetop. Plus, the fresh lemon scent will help deodorize your kitchen and get rid of any lingering food smells. The powerful degreaser is ideal for occasional heavy cleaning, but it's not a glass cleaner. Simple Green Glass Cleaner is ammonia and phosphate-free for light cleaning or for following your All-Purpose Cleaner to restore luxurious shine and clarity to your stove top.

The easiest way to keep your glass stove top clean is to wipe it down after every use with a microfiber cloth or sponge and plain water. Use the directions below to give the surface a deeper clean about once a week.

Directions for Cleaning a Glass Stove Top:

Check your stove owner's manual before cleaning. Spot test on a hidden area first. Clean your stovetop while cool. Never clean while the surface is still hot.

1. Mix your Simple Green solution. Add ¼ cup of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner to 2 ½ cups of water in an empty spray bottle.
2. Spray. Spray the solution directly onto the glass cooktop. Let the cleaner sit on the surface for a couple of minutes to ensure it degreases as much as it can and do some of the hard work for you.
3. If necessary, use a razor blade to scrape off any stubborn stuck-on food. Carefully hold your razor blade at a 45-degree angle when scraping - scraping with the corners of the blade can etch the surface of the stove top. Use the blade to lightly scrape at debris until the spot is gone.
4. Wipe. Wipe with a clean, damp, microfiber or other lint-free cloth or towel.
5. Apply Simple Green Glass Cleaner. Spray directly onto the surface.
6. Wipe. Wipe one more time with your damp cloth.
7. Air dry. Allow the surface to air dry before you use it again.

While I do love my glass stovetop for the extra counter space it provides, it can be pretty frustrating to maintain. You would think that the sleek, flat top would be a breeze to clean, but the glass surface is so delicate that you have to take special care not to damage it, even in the cleaning process.

Unfortunately, some seemingly harmless habits could wreak havoc on a glass stovetop—although it's possible to reverse some of the damage with a good deep clean. But as they say, prevention is the best medicine, and that applies to stovetops too. Here are all the cooking and cleaning habits you'll want to avoid to keep your glass stovetop in mint condition.

1. Using Coarse Sponges or Steel Wool

If you have burnt food or stubborn stains on your stovetop, you may be tempted to pull out the heavy-duty scrubbers. But even the scrubby side of a sponge can be too much for a glass stovetop's delicate surface. Abrasive cleaners or scouring tools (including steel wool) can lead to tiny scratches or even deep pits on your stovetop. Stick to the soft side of the sponge, or even better, purchase cooktop pads. These sponges are designed to minimize scratches on a glass stovetop. You can find them at Walmart, Publix, or at another local grocery store.

If you have stuck-on debris that won't budge with a soft sponge, try using a plastic or silicone spatula to lift the food from the surface. For really heavy-duty messes, you can use a razor blade scraper (try softening the food first with white vinegar or a glass stovetop cleaner); just be sure not to puncture the stovetop with the corner of the blade.

2. Using a Cleaner While the Stove Is Still Hot

Sometimes washing dishes while they're still a little warm can help you easily lift grease and grime, but the same principle does not apply to glass stovetops. You should allow your stovetop to cool completely before using any sort of cleaner, chemical or otherwise, as the cleaner can burn on the stovetop and leave permanent damage.

3. Using Glass Cleaner to Clean Your Stovetop

It seems logical to use glass cleaner (such as Windex) on a glass stovetop, but it's best to skip it. The ammonia in the cleaner is too harsh for a glass stovetop and can leave permanent stains and streaking. Not to mention, if you turn a burner on while the cleaner is still on the surface, you'll release ammonia fumes into the air.

You're better off using a cleaner meant for a glass stovetop (GE Appliances recommends one of my favorite cleaners: the Cerama Bryte Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner), or pantry staples such as white vinegar and baking soda.

4. Resting Hot Lids Face-Down on a Cool Stovetop

At first, this was kind of a head-scratcher for me, but there have actually been instances of glass stovetops shattering as a result of leaving hot pan lids on the surface. How does this happen? Apparently, heat gets trapped under the lid creating a vacuum seal, and the pressure then causes the stovetop to shatter. I will say, I've put many hot lids on my glass stovetop with no problem, but I won't be doing it anymore. It's better to be safe than sorry, so I'll be resting my hot lids on a pot holder or dish towel from now on.

5. Sliding Heavy Cookware (Such as Cast Iron) Across the Surface of Your Stovetop

Yes, you can still use cast iron if you have a glass or ceramic stovetop. In fact, the folks in the Lodge Cast Iron test kitchen cook with cast iron on a glass stovetop every day, according to their Facebook page. Their advice? Be sure to not drop it or slide it across the surface. Instead, gently lift it and set it back down using the handle to move it from one spot to another. The same goes for other types of heavy cookware, such as ceramic cookware.

6. Not Cleaning Your Glass Stovetop After Every Use

Leaving your mess for another day is only going to make things worse down the road. If you have a boil-over or a splatter, wipe it up with a damp cloth as soon as possible (remember, don't use a cleaning solution while it's still hot, but a damp cloth is fine). After each use, allow your stovetop to cool completely, spray the surface of your stovetop with vinegar or your favorite glass stovetop cleaner, wipe it down with a damp microfiber cloth, and buff dry with a dry microfiber cloth.

7. Placing Dirty Pans and Utensils on the Stove While Cooking

If you're like me, you have a tendency to rest dirty utensils on your glass stovetop...and that's only adding to the mess you'll need to clean up later. Instead, rest utensils on a spoon rest or paper towel. Even more importantly, make sure whatever cookware you're placing on the stovetop is completely clean on the bottom. A greasy skillet + a hot burner = a difficult mess to clean up later.

8. Putting Too Much Weight on Your Stovetop

According to GE Appliances, a glass stovetop's weight limit is usually around 50 pounds. Most of the time, this isn't going to be an issue, but it does mean you should never stand on your stovetop to reach a high cabinet, and heavy canners may exceed the weight limit of a glass stovetop as well.

Related:

• I Tried This Laundry Detergent Mopping Trick and My Kitchen Floors Have Never Sparkled More
• 9 Things in the Kitchen You Didn't Know You Were Supposed to Clean
• More Cleaning Content

What is the best cleaner for glass top stoves?

How do you clean a black glass stove top?

What should you not put on a glass top stove?