How to get water stains off glass stove top

Glass-top stoves lend a sleek, modern look to a kitchen, but they can be tricky to keep clean. Learn how to make your glass cooktop sparkle.

Table of Contents Show

Everyday Cleaning
Weekly Washing
Deep Cleaning
Step 1 - Wipe Down the Surface
Step 2 - Dry the Cooktop with a Towel
Step 3 - Pay Extra Attention to Small Water Spots
Step 4 - Avoid Future Water Marks
How do you get burnt water off a glass top stove without baking soda?
How do you get burnt water off a ceramic stove top?

Wolf, Sub-Zero Group, Inc.

Like any glass surface, the most minimal spill, splatter or smear will stand out on a glass-top stove, making it look dingy. Worse yet, any dried bit of food that isn’t immediately wiped up can burn onto the surface the next time you cook. Burned spills make for a stubborn bit of caramelized mess that can seem next to impossible to remove. Here is the dilemma each glass-top stove owner must face: How aggressively can one clean without scratching the surface of the stove? Which cleaning products are safe? Is there a trick to cleaning these things?

Everyday Cleaning

First and foremost, the easiest way to keep your glass-top stove clean is by wiping down the surface after each use. Ideally, you’ll want to use a microfiber cloth or sponge moistened with vinegar or water, and never a scouring pad or scrub brush. Unfortunately, this can only be done once the surface is no longer hot, and by that time, many cooks have moved on to serving or eating.

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Weekly Washing

If you’ve forgotten to wipe down your stove and are dealing with stuck-on stains, you’ll need a more thorough cleaning technique. 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. Remove the towel and wipe away the residue with a microfiber cloth. Spray more vinegar and use a fresh microfiber cloth to polish away any streaks.

Deep Cleaning

When the impossibly baked-on gunk can't be removed by the weekly washing process, it’s time to call in the big guns: a handheld razor blade. However, before trying this method, check the manufacturer’s care instructions. If they caution against using razor blades, do not proceed. Otherwise, begin by spritzing vinegar onto the cool stove surface to loosen burnt-on food. Next, holding the blade as flat as possible against the stove, lightly scrape at stubborn residue using uniform pressure on the blade. Do not use the corners, which may etch or scratch the glass-top surface. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away any removed material. Repeat until the surface is free of stuck-on gunk.

If you're unwilling or unable to clean your stove with a razor blade, there are other heavy-duty methods available. Bar Keepers Friend Cooktop Cleaner is a mildly abrasive cleaner that won’t scratch glass-top stoves. Sprinkle the powder over the offending area and scrub the spot gently using a wet washcloth. Wipe the area clean with a moist microfiber cloth and repeat until the stain is gone.

Removing stains caused by water on a glass cooktop can be tricky, as they generally can't be removed with regular detergent. Here are a few general cleaning tips to help you remove those watermarks.

Step 1 - Wipe Down the Surface

To make sure there is nothing else on the stove to remove, wipe down the surface with a warm, wet dish towel and a cleaning agent such as Bar Keeper’s Friend or Bon Ami. When purchasing a cleaning agent, always make sure that it is alright to use on a glass cooktop, as some agents may cause more damage to the surface.

When cleaning your whole cooktop, it is easiest to fill a small bucket or bowl with hot water and add the cleanser. Dampen your towel in the water and give the area a wipe down. This will allow even coverage of the detergent over the stove, and you will not have to use as much product, saving you a little money.

Give special attention to the spots that are most affected by rubbing hard and scrubbing. It is important to use a soft, clean rag and to never use steel wool or other abrasives that could scratch and harm the surface. Glass cooktops can be very expensive to replace.

This initial cleaning will also help remove burned food and any grease that may be lingering on your cooktop. However, to fully remove these you may have to use an additional product, such as grease remover.

Step 2 - Dry the Cooktop with a Towel

After going over the entire surface of your cooktop and paying special attention to the hard water marks, wipe it down with a soft dry towel or several paper towels to make sure that it removed the stains. If it doesn’t remove the stains right away, you may have to repeat the process a few more times.

Step 3 - Pay Extra Attention to Small Water Spots

If you only want to deal with smaller water spots on the surface of your stove, squirt a little cleaner (about the size of a dime) onto the spot you would like to clean. Using a dry paper towel or soft towel, rub the spot vigorously.

Some spots will not come out unless continually scrubbed over time. You may leave the detergent on for a little while to give it more power when scrubbing off, but it is not advisable to let water sit on your stove, as it could cause more marks.

Step 4 - Avoid Future Water Marks

Many water spots are caused when a pan boils over from cooking rice or pasta, although they can also result from cleaning your cooktop with a sponge or a damp paper towel.

Make sure you clean up every water spill on your cooktop as soon as possible to help prevent future watermarks. Use a soft cleanser and dry it with a soft dishtowel.

Maintain your glass cooktop by giving it a good scrub once a week with a good cleaner.

How do you get burnt water off a glass top stove without baking soda?

Method 2: Clean with Vinegar Lucky for you, it works as a wonderful degreaser and will clean your glass cooktop in no time. Transfer the vinegar to a spray bottle, generously spray it on your cooktop and use a damp cloth to wipe burnt food away.

How do you get burnt water off a ceramic stove top?

How to Clean a Ceramic Cooktop.

Sprinkle baking soda on the cooktop, ensuring the entire surface is covered. ... .

Using a spray bottle, spray a small amount of white vinegar on the baking soda – the vinegar should be just enough to get the baking soda bubbling. ... .

Soak a dishcloth (or two) in warm soapy water for a few minutes..