Keeping your stove top sparkly clean and free of baked-on spills or stains is important for both aesthetic and functional reasons. Not only does a dirty stovetop look unsightly, it can also lead to damage over time if spills are allowed to simmer and bake onto the surface. However, cleaning a stovetop is not always straightforward. The delicate glass surface can easily be damaged if you use abrasive tools or cleaners. And certain cleaning mistakes can actually make the problem worse by spreading grease around or scratching the cooktop.
This comprehensive guide will outline the five most common stove top cleaning mistakes people make, explain why they should be avoided, and provide tips on the proper cleaning methods to keep your stove looking great.
Mistake #1: Using Abrasive Tools like Steel Wool or Scouring Pads
The number one mistake people make when trying to clean stubborn baked-on spills from a glass stovetop is using abrasive scrubbers like steel wool or scouring pads. For example:
- Steel wool
- Scouring pads
- Abrasive sponges
While it can be tempting to use these abrasive tools to scrub off dried or burnt-on food residue, it should be avoided at all costs. Here’s why:
- The scrubbing action of steel wool, scouring pads, and abrasive sponges will permanently scratch and damage the glass surface of your stovetop.
- Tiny scratches caused by abrasive scrubbers make the glass appear foggy and opaque over time instead of clear.
- Scratches also make it easier for future spills to stick and bake onto the damaged areas of your cooktop.
So while abrasive scrubbers may remove some stubborn stains in the short-term, they cause irreversible damage to your stove top that makes cleanup harder in the long run.
Instead, use these safe cleaning tools:
- Soft sponges and cloths
- Paper towels
- Plastic or wooden scrapers
- Specialty stove top cleaning pads – Avoid anything labeled “abrasive”
We’ll go into more specific cleaning steps later in this guide. But in short: never use anything abrasive on your delicate glass stove top!
Mistake #2: Cleaning While the Stove Is Still Hot
It may seem convenient to clean spills and splatters on your stovetop while you’re still cooking or immediately after you take a hot pan off the burner. However, that is another common cleaning mistake to avoid:
Why you should not clean a hot stovetop:
- The extreme heat can damage the glass surface – Spraying or wiping cleaners onto a hot stovetop can cause rapid changes in temperature that expand and contract the glass. This stresses the surface and makes hairline cracks more likely over time.
- You risk burning yourself – Obviously, if the stove top is still hot from cooking, you’re at risk of burning yourself by coming into contact with the surface while scrubbing it. Wait until the glass cools down to room temperature before cleaning.
- Food residue bakes on even more – Cleaning around pans and food splatter while still actively cooking lets food continue simmering on the surface. This makes baked-on residue even harder to remove later once fully cooled.
So while it may seem convenient in the moment, cleaning around hot pots or immediately after cooking is a mistake. Always wait until the stovetop cools completely to room temperature before wiping down the surface. Give at least 20-30 minutes after cooking for the glass to cool.
Here are safer times to clean your stovetop:
- In the morning before using your stove at all
- After cooking a meal but waiting for the surface to be cool enough to touch
- Before going to bed after all cooking is complete for the day
Following this simple rule will help prevent damage to the stovetop and make after-meal cleanup much easier.
Mistake #3: Using Harsh Chemical Glass Cleaners
Another common but damaging mistake people make is using harsh glass cleaners formulated for windows and mirrors to clean their stovetops. Chemical-laden glass cleaners like Windex might seem convenient. But they should be avoided for regular cooktop cleaning for a few important reasons:
- Too abrasive – Most glass cleaners contain chemicals and cleaning agents like ammonia that are too harsh for frequent cleaning of stovetops. They can slowly wear down glass coatings over time.
- Leaves streaks & residue – Glass cleansers also frequently contain additives that leave soapy residue and streaks on stove top surfaces when not rinsed thoroughly.
- Doesn’t cut through grease well – While formulas like Windex work great at making glass windows and mirrors sparkle, they are not the best at cutting through oily grease and food splatter on stovetops.
Instead of spraying harsh glass cleaners on your stove after each meal, choose a more stove-friendly cleaning solution:
- For light cleaning: Mild dish soap and warm water
- For heavier duty stain removal: Specialty stove top cleaning creams or gels
We’ll cover how to use these recommended cleaners in more detail later on. But in general, steer clear of using harsh Windex and similar glass cleansers to regularly wipe down your stove top after each use.
Mistake #4: Neglecting Regular Cleaning After Each Use
One of the most crucial mistakes that leads to permanent, baked-on stains on stove tops is neglecting to wipe down the surface after each use.
It’s understandable to be busy and let the messy stove slide day after day. But even if you only spend 30 seconds after each meal wiping up food splatter and oily residue from cooking, it can make a huge difference in preventing stubborn build-up.
Here’s why consistent cleaning after every use is crucial:
- Food and oil splatter gets burnt on – Tiny splashes of oil, sauce, and other food residue get baked onto the glass surface each time you use the stovetop. The longer it sits there after each meal, the more stubborn these stains become.
- Splatter spreads grease around – Neglecting to clean up spills and splatters allows leftover oil and grease to get smeared around the cooktop each time new pots and pans slide over it. This spreads out stains.
- Salt and minerals etch glass – Ingredients like salt, vinegar, tomato sauce, milk, and pasta water all contain minerals. Given enough time sitting on the stovetop surface, these minerals etch micro-abrasions into the pristine glass.
Regular quick cleaning after each use prevents these three issues that lead to stubborn burnt-on crud needing heavy-duty cleaner (and elbow grease!) to remove later.
Make it a habit to either:
- Quickly wipe the stove top using paper towels or a soft sponge after each meal.
- Or spray the surface with cleaner and let it sit to soak for 30 minutes before wiping up.
Consistently cleaning after every single use is the #1 way to prevent permanent staining or etching of your cooktop glass over time.
Mistake #5: Ignoring Burnt-On Spills and Stains
The last common but damaging mistake people make is ignoring stubborn burnt-on stains that have developed from previous cleaning neglect.
It’s understandable to ignore an occasional baked-on spill or oily stain. Removing them can take significant effort. But overlooking burnt and stuck-on gunk leads to permanent damage over time.
Here are 3 reasons you should address stubborn stains ASAP:
- Stains spread – Leaving one burnt stain means that splatter and grease from future cooking keeps sticking to that one dirty spot. This causes the stained area to grow every time you use the stove.
- Stains etch glass – Burnt-on food and oil residues contain acids, minerals, and other particles that literally eat away and pit the glass cooktop material if left for too long.
- Heat bakes stains on further – Exposing stained areas to continued heat from cooking essentially “sets” the stain and makes it exponentially harder to remove later.
While abrasive scrubbing of stubborn stains risks damaging the glass, ignoring them leads to permanent etching and pitting damage too.
The solution is using safe specialized cleaners (covered more below) designed to dissolve burnt-on gunk without damaging the surface underneath.
It may take more effort than a quick wipe-down, but protecting your investment is worth taking the time to periodically remove those burnt-on stains before they become permanent etchings.
Now that we’ve covered the 5 most common stove top cleaning mistakes, let’s move on to the proper cleaning steps and products you should be using instead…
Proper Stove Top Cleaning Methods
Cleaning your stove after each use doesn’t need to be complicated or take much time. And it certainly shouldn’t put your stove top at risk of scratching or damage!
Here is a recap of the quick cleaning tips we’ve shared so far:
| Recommended | Not Recommended |
| Soft sponges/cloths | Steel wool or scouring pads |
| Warm soapy water | Hot surfaces |
| Specialty cooktop cleaners | Harsh chemical glass cleaners |
| Regular quick wiping after every use | Letting stains bake on |
| Using safe stain removers | Ignoring burnt-on spills |
Now let’s get into the specifics of the process, tools, and cleaning products to use…
Quick Cleaning After Each Use
After each meal is cooked, be sure to give your stovetop a quick cleaning before food residue and grease is allowed to bake on. Here’s a simple method:
Step 1) Use paper towels or a soft sponge to wipe away any visible food splatters, sauce, or oily residue from cooking. Get into a habit of doing this quick 30-second wipe-down after every single meal.
Step 2) If heavier splatter or lots of stuck-on oil remains, spray a light mist of degreasing cleaner formulated for stovetops. Let it soak for 20-30 minutes before wiping clean with soft cloths.
- Tip: If using wet cleaner sprays, be sure to go back over the surface again with dry paper towels after to prevent streaks.
Step 3) For super-stubborn oil splatter or minor stains you notice forming even after the quick wipe-downs, use a gentle stove top cleaning paste. Apply the paste to the stain, allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, then gently scrub with a soft sponge before rinsing clean.
And that’s really all there is to it! Just those three simple steps of wiping, spraying cleaner, and occasionally applying stain-fighting paste keep your stove top sparkly clean day after day.
Recommended Cleaning Tools:
- Paper towels or microfiber cloths
- Soft sponges (no abrasive scrubber pads!)
- Plastic or wooden scrapers
- Old toothbrushes or Q-tips for tight corners
- Specialty stove top cleaning pad
Be sure to rinse sponges, towels, and pads well after using any cleaning products before wiping the stove top again. Leftover chemical residue can lead to streaks or stains if you go over the surface again with a dirty cloth.
Recommended Cleaners:
For routine quick cleaning after every use, simple dish soap and warm water works well. But for periodic deeper cleaning:
- Cerama Bryte Stove Cleaner
- Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser
- Weiman Glass Cook Top Cleaner
- Magic White Eraser Pads
Avoid harsh chemical glass cleaners! Stick to cleaners specifically formulated to cut through burnt-on food but gentle enough for frequent stove top use.
Deep Cleaning for Stubborn Stains
If you have significant burnt-on stains that need more aggressive treatment, be very careful about what products you use to remove them. Harsh chemical cleaners can damage the surface.
Here are safe methods for getting rid of tough stained areas:
Baking Soda Paste
- Sprinkle water generously over areas of burnt-on stains to soften them.
- Spread a paste of baking soda directly over the dampened stains.
- Allow the paste to sit for at least 30 minutes before scrubbing.
- Wipe clean and rinse thoroughly.
The abrasive but non-scratching texture of baking soda loosens stains without damaging the surface underneath.
Cleaning Cream
- Use a soft sponge or cloth to rub a specialty stove top cleaning cream directly onto stuck-on stains.
- Let the cream sit for 10-20 minutes before scrubbing.
- The cream will dissolve and loosen burnt food residue.
- Wipe clean with a soft cloth and rinse any remaining cream residue away with water.
Look for a cleaning cream containing oxalic or glycolic acid designed specifically for stovetops. Avoid rubbing too aggressively.
Razor Blade
For minor scales of residue that have been baked on and begun flaking at the edges, a new single-edge razor blade can remove them.
- Carefully slide the razor sideways under any burnt food scales to gently lift them away from the surface without scratching.
- Repeat the process until all loosened residue has been removed.
- Use a specialty stove top cleaner afterwards to remove any remaining stuck-on stains.
Take extreme care not to apply any downward pressure when using a razor blade to avoid scratching the glass. Only use this method on actual burnt-on food residue flakes – not cooked-on oil and grease stains.
By regularly cleaning after every use and periodically removing heavier stains with safe specialty cleaners, you can keep your stove top like new for years to come! Just be sure to avoid the common mistakes outlined earlier.
Also Read: What to Look for When Buying a Used Stove
Conclusion
Regular stove top cleaning is easy to overlook in your busy schedule. But preventing burnt-on stains now saves major effort trying to remove them later after they’ve had time to etch into the delicate glass surface.
Avoid these common cleaning mistakes:
- No abrasive scouring pads
- Don’t clean hot surfaces
- Skip the harsh glass cleaners
- Don’t neglect quick wipes after every meal
- Deal with stubborn stains ASAP
Instead, rely on soft clothes, and gentle cleaners formulated specifically for stove tops, and be diligent about wiping up spills after each use before food residue bakes on.
Consistency is key for preventing scratches, stains, and permanent damage to your stove top investment. So make cooker cleaner part of your regular kitchen routine!