Should You Use Vinegar To Clean A Glass Stove Top?

Vinegar is one of the hardest-working ingredients in the home. It's a handy all-purpose cleaner that can tackle most jobs such as cleaning your pets' food and water bowls, freshening up your dryer, and even removing hard water stains from the toilet. It's also handy in the kitchen due to its ability to fight greasy buildup. However, does it clean a glass stove top? Yes, it's a good way to clean a glass stove top. But should you use it? The answer can change based on the extent of dirt and grime, as vinegar is more effective in some ways than others. 

Natural and non-toxic, vinegar is an affordable way to clean your stove top as an alternative to expensive glass cleaners. Also, using natural ingredients to clean a glass top is healthier than heavy chemical cleaners, as chemical residue may burn off and emit fumes you shouldn't breathe. Vinegar can tackle some messes in the kitchen, but others might require additional cleaning ingredients.

Before cleaning your stove top with anything, check your manufacturer's manual for recommendations, and only clean when the stove is completely cool. Now for one of the easiest ways of cleaning your glass stove top. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. The water helps soften the acidic power of the vinegar so that it won't damage the glass, but is still strong enough to tackle the grime. Spray the surface, then use a microfiber cloth or other soft cloth to buff away buildup. Avoid using paper towels as they're abrasive, and may cause small scratches on the glass.

If you have a glass cooktop thoroughly caked with grease, vinegar and water alone won't cut it. Grease consists of acids, so when it comes into contact with another acid, it won't break down as well. For heavily-greased cooktops, you need the help of another kitchen superhero: baking soda. Baking soda and vinegar can work together because baking soda, as an alkaline, helps neutralize acid, dissolving it. Sprinkle baking soda lightly over the vinegar before it dries, then let a clean, warm towel sit on the mixture for 10 to 15 minutes, after which, you can wipe it away with a microfiber cloth. You can also mix vinegar with dish soap, another alkaline, to remove grease.

You can keep your cooktop sparkling clean by following a few tips. First, wipe the surface down, removing spills or burnt food with a soft towel, when it cools. If you wipe down a hot stove top with a towel, it may melt the towel to the glass, so use caution. If the burnt food is really stuck on, you can use vinegar to loosen it. Spray vinegar on the burnt food, then gently scrape away with a razor blade, holding the blade at a 45-degree angle. Get in the habit of wiping off the range every time you cook so that spills can't harden, which makes them tougher to remove. On a hectic dinner night, sometimes we just don't have time to clean up properly after cooking, so try to tackle any residue as soon as possible the next morning.

Be careful with what you put on your stove top. You should never use ammonia or glass cleaner (which often contains ammonia) to clean a glass stove top, as these are too harsh and may damage the surface. Abrasive materials like paper towels, scouring pads, and sponges can also ruin the glass, so avoid using these, and stick with soft cloths. Other cleaning products to keep away from glass stove tops include bleach and Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.