What You Need

  • Baking soda
  • Dish soap
  • Damp paper towels or a microfibre cloth
  • Non-scratch scrubbing pad (white or yellow — not green scourers which scratch glass)
  • Glass stovetop scraper / single-edge razor blade in a holder (for stubborn deposits)
  • Glass stovetop cleaner (Cerama Bryte, Cooktop Cleaner — optional but excellent)

Step-by-Step Clean

  1. 1

    Ensure the stovetop is completely cool

    Never clean a hot glass stovetop — the temperature difference can cause thermal shock and cracking. Wait until it is fully cool to the touch.

  2. 2

    Sprinkle baking soda and add a few drops of dish soap

    Sprinkle baking soda generously over the stovetop, particularly over any burnt-on areas. Add a few drops of dish soap and spread slightly.

  3. 3

    Lay damp cloths over the surface

    Soak paper towels or cloths in very hot water and lay them flat over the baking soda layer. Leave for 15–20 minutes. The steam and alkalinity soften the burnt-on residue significantly.

  4. 4

    Scrub with a non-scratch pad

    Remove the cloths. Scrub with a non-scratch pad (white or yellow Scotch-Brite, never the green scourer) in circular motions. Most residue will lift. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

  5. 5

    Use a razor blade scraper for stubborn deposits

    For burnt-on deposits that will not shift: hold a single-edge razor blade (in a proper holder) at a very shallow angle (approximately 30 degrees — almost flat) to the glass. Push the scraper gently under the deposit — do not press down into the glass. Used correctly, this does not scratch the surface. Used upright at 90 degrees, it will scratch.

  6. 6

    Polish with glass stovetop cleaner

    Apply a small amount of glass stovetop cleaner (Cerama Bryte or similar) with a soft cloth and buff to a shine. This removes any remaining haze and leaves a protective layer that makes future cleaning easier.

Never useBleach, harsh chemical spray cleaners, green scourers, steel wool, or abrasive powders on glass stovetops. These scratch and damage the surface permanently. Also avoid sugar-based spills sitting on a hot stovetop — caramelised sugar permanently pits the glass.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do not try to remove melted plastic from a hot stovetop — you will spread it. Let it cool completely and harden. Use the razor blade scraper at a very shallow angle to carefully lift the hardened plastic in sections. Freezing the plastic first (apply ice in a bag for a few minutes) makes it more brittle and lifts more cleanly. Finish with glass stovetop cleaner to remove residue.
Wipe spills immediately while still fresh — this prevents most hard cleaning. A light clean after every few uses keeps it looking new. A full deep clean (baking soda soak) monthly for regular cooking. The less time burnt food sits on the surface, the easier it is to remove — a spill cleaned within hours is far easier than one left for days.