The “Magical” $4 Stovetop Cleaner I Couldn’t Live Without (Trust Me, I’ve Tried Dozens of Methods!)

A few years ago, my family moved into a new home with a glass induction cooktop. Before moving, I have to admit I had never actually heard of this type of stove — but over the years, I’ve grown to love it so much, I’m not sure I could live with anything else. It heats quickly and evenly, doesn’t heat up underneath (which allows me to have a fully-stocked utensil drawer directly under the cooktop), and, of course, it’s much easier to clean than pretty much any other type of cooktop. 

But that doesn’t mean my cooktop always stays pristine — not with my family of six! Recently, my glass induction cooktop was looking pretty crusty, so I jumped at the chance to test three natural glass stove top cleaners (and one great product!) to see which was the best for getting a sparkling, streak-free clean on my glass stovetop. It was my first time trying the winner, but it instantly became my new go-to!

Because my cooktop has four burners, I was able to divide the cooktop into four “zones” for testing these methods. My cooktop was evenly filthy with dried-on pasta water and tomato sauce across all four sections. 

It’s important to note that the glass on an induction cooktop is technically a glass/ceramic mix. (For scientific types, this allows for low thermal expansion properties.) For the rest of us, it simply means it’s fragile! A glass cooktop should be handled with care, and that means no harsh cleaners or abrasive scrubbers. That’s one of the reasons I enjoy using natural cleaning methods for my glass cooktop. 

The four methods I tested for cleaning my glass stovetop were: baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap; lemon and baking soda; vinegar and dish soap; and Bar Keepers Friend Multipurpose Cooktop Cleaner.

For each method, I assigned a rating from 1 to 5; a 1 means the cleaning method was completely ineffective, and 5 means it was the best without any room for improvement. I’ve also included my own personal thoughts on the cleaning method and what I liked and disliked most about each process.

Note: Even though each of these methods utilize natural ingredients (and one product that’s specifically designed for cleaning glass cooktops), it’s always a good idea to check the product manual for your specific cooktop before getting started. 

The method: Wipe your cool cooktop surface with a dry microfiber cloth or paper towel to remove any loose debris. Shake the bottle and apply Bar Keepers Friend Multipurpose Cooktop Cleaner as directed — directly onto the cooktop or onto a damp, non-abrasive sponge. Rub the product all over the cooktop and let it sit for a few minutes. Carefully cleanse the surface with a non-abrasive cleaning pad or sponge. Remove the cleaning solution with a damp cloth, and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.

How it went: This was an instant winner — especially if your cooktop has tough stains or crusty spots, this product is the way to go. It’s a simple and effective way to clean a glass cooktop that leaves a perfectly shiny finish without a single streak. If you’re all about stretching your money, it’s nice to note that this specific Bar Keepers Friend can also be used on stainless steel or porcelain tubs, tiles, or sinks, and even copper, chrome, or brass finishes. I’m definitely going to incorporate this magic in a bottle into my kitchen cleaning routine in the future!

For a messy, crusty glass stovetop, Bar Keepers Friend Multipurpose Cooktop Cleaner got the job done in only a few minutes, which was quicker than most of the other methods. At under $16 for a two-pack on Amazon, it isn’t too much of a splurge compared to other surface-specific cleaners. (You can also get the single bottle for $4.89 on Instacart or $4.48 at The Home Depot.) In my humble opinion as a home cook, it’s beyond worth it, as it was the best method I tested by far. Plus, it works on so many different surfaces all over the home.

The method: Cut a lemon in half, then squeeze the juice all over your completely cool glass cooktop. Use the lemon half to scrub the cooktop, spending extra time on spots with built-up food or grease. Then, sprinkle baking soda all over the cooktop surface. Dampen an old towel with hot water and lay the warm towel over the lemon and baking soda-covered stovetop. Leave the towel in place for at least 30 minutes (the longer, the better). Using the damp towel, gently wipe the surface until all baked-on spills and baking soda are removed.

“You will most likely have to rinse out the towel once or twice as you do this,” says Kathy Cohoon, operations manager at Two Maids & A Mop. Add distilled white vinegar to a spray bottle and spray the stovetop with it, using a dry cloth to clean off any residue, and buff until it shines. 

How it went: I was surprised that I loved this method — I figured the lemon would leave a residue (a constant battle with a glass cooktop), but it didn’t whatsoever. The combination of the lemon and the baking soda was very effective at removing crusty food stains, and overall this method left my cooktop totally clean and streak-free. I will definitely use this cleaning method if my cooktop ever gets super dirty again, with crusty, built-up food stains specifically. Plus, I already had everything I needed!

The method: Wipe the cooktop surface with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any loose debris, then combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, adding a few drops of dish soap for tougher stains. Spray the mixture on the surface and let it sit for a few minutes. Carefully wipe the surface utilizing a non-abrasive cleaning pad. Remove the cleaning solution with a damp cloth, and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.

How it went: For a natural alternative to spray-on cooktop cleaners, this method is the way to go. It’s an effective cleaner and leaves the cooktop shiny and streak-free. I found that just one or two drops of dish soap was enough to clean the cooktop without adding unnecessary soap residue. In addition, the mixture of water and dish soap cuts down on the pungent vinegar smell, which I personally dislike. You can easily mix it in a spray bottle and store it underneath your kitchen sink anytime you need to spritz your cooktop clean. I plan to continue using this natural cleanser for my cooktop in the future. 

The method: Wipe down the cooktop with a dry microfiber cloth and sprinkle baking soda generously all over the surface. Spray the stovetop with distilled white vinegar and it should start foaming. Cover the stovetop with a damp, soapy dish towel and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Use the dish towel to wipe everything up.

How it went: I didn’t love anything about this method. I’m not a huge fan of cleaning with a combination of baking soda and vinegar to begin with (although I do use it to clear drains!). I can’t stand the mess it makes, and the smell reminds me of those volcano science experiments I did as a kid. So I wasn’t surprised that this wasn’t my favorite method. The baking soda and vinegar combo did clear away built-up gunk from my cooktop, but left it heavily streaky. The damp dish towel is a good finishing touch in theory, but in practice it was just more (smelly!) laundry for me, and I had to shake out all the wet, clumpy baking soda before throwing the towel in the wash. I wouldn’t spend the extra time and effort on this cleaning method in the future.

All in all, you can’t go wrong with most of these methods — three of the four I’d definitely use again depending on how much time I have, what’s in my pantry, and how bad the mess is. The benefits of using baking soda, lemon, vinegar, and dish soap is that you likely already have them and don’t need to order anything specific. Whichever method you opt for, may your glass stovetop be sparkling!