Sleek glass stove-tops add an elegant and sophisticated touch to any modern kitchen setting, but they can be a real challenge to clean, especially when used regularly. Things like sauce drippings and burnt on grease are just some of the unavoidable results of a working kitchen, and although wiping the stove top once after every use can be helpful to avoid stubborn smudges and stains, the surface can still get foggy and look unclean regardless. This is where the help of a good stovetop cleaner comes in.
To help you along, we’ve compiled a list of really simple and cost-effective cleaners that you can access from your own pantry to keep your glass stove-top spic n span, as well as a guide on what you should look out for should you opt to purchase a commercial glass stove top cleaner. E
- Vinegar: Pour a fair amount of vinegar (any kind) inside a spray bottle, to spray and wipe down the stove top once the plates have been switched off and cooled down. The acidity in vinegar makes it extremely effective at degreasing and eliminating any debris or stains that may have been left on the stove-top surface.
- Baking soda: To get rid of more stubborn grease and grime, scatter a generous amount of baking soda on top and leave it for a few minutes before wiping it with a cloth which has been dampened with vinegar. The alkali in the baking soda coupled with the acidity in the vinegar literally incinerates grime without damaging or scratching the surface.
- Use the towel method: Submerge an old cotton towel in warm water and wring it out to leave it damp, and then lay it on top of the glass stove-top surface, covering it completely. Leave it on the stove for about 15 minutes or more so that it gets to absorb all the accumulated muck. Thereafter, remove the towel and scrub the muck off with your towel, rinsing it in baking soda water in between, until all the dirt has been removed.
- Scrape it: When all else fails and that burnt on sauce just won’t come off, then you should bring out the razor blade to scrape it off. For safety sake, get a razor blade with grasping handle for easy gripping, and scrape the stove top while it’s still damp. Just be careful with your movements, and scrape one small area at a time to avoid scratching and damaging the glass during the process. Once the dirt has been removed, you can then give it one more wipe down with vinegar and polish it with a dry cotton cloth for that shiny finish.
- Use a commercial glass stove top cleaner: Should you choose a commercial glass stove top cleaner, there are a few good options available on the market that can really get the job done. They all differ in terms of consistency from pastes to creams, wipes, and liquids, with the most popular ones being creams, but here’s a description on the merits of each so that you can make up your own mind about which to purchase:
- Cream: These are easy to apply and use, and are very effective at removing things like burnt-on grease and spills.
- Paste: Pastes are spill-proof, rinse off easily, and usually come with a scrubber to remove stubborn grime.
- Liquids: Liquids are some of the best glass stove top cleaners, but are also prone to spilling and causing an additional mess, which is why it’s recommended to purchase liquid cleaners only if they’re inside a spray bottle.
- Wipes: Wipes are convenient time-savers that will competently remove grease and dirt while it’s still fresh. But they’re not recommended to use on truly stubborn or accumulated stains and grime.
Extra tip! Be sure to get a container that’s easy to store and hold, and the instructions on the cleaner bottle should be easy to follow and understand. We also recommend using green, environment-friendly cleaning products, which are less harmful to the environment and safer when in contact with the human skin.
