Asked on Aug 21, 2015

Cleaning a ceramic stove top

Becky Schaar
by Becky Schaar
My condo came with the stove in this condition. I first thought I could use a ceramic cleaner from the store, to no avail. I then tried: baking soda and vinegar, Bar Keepers Friend cleanser, baking soda covered with dish towel soaked in soapy water. It's better than where I started, but it's still there. It's really the worst I've seen, and I wonder if it beyond cleaning. I don't know what created the mess, so it's hard to trouble shoot. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!!
  28 answers
  • Becky Schaar Becky Schaar on Aug 21, 2015
    had trouble including pics, sorry. Here they are:
  • B. Enne B. Enne on Aug 21, 2015
    Have you tried a thin blade window scraper (thin razor blade) that removes paint? I use a product called Universal Stone, but I think this may be beyond regular cleaning. http://universalstone.ca/ What about a Magic Eraser?
  • Red Cottage Chronicles Red Cottage Chronicles on Aug 21, 2015
    I am in the same boat! Even tried vinegar and baking soda.
    • B. Enne B. Enne on Aug 21, 2015
      @Red Cottage Chronicles you can get Universal Stone in Canada...http://universalstone.ca/ It seems really expensive, but a container lasts for years, and can be used on so many things. I hemmed and hawed when I bought it at a store, and I tell you it was worth it just for my stove, since nothing else worked and it was brand new! They may sell it at fairs...I thought I saw it at one before.
  • Garden girl Garden girl on Aug 21, 2015
    I found using CameO cleanser works really well I've also used a worn scotch brite and for crusty stuff a razor blade works try not to scrub really hard I also have used spray oven cleaner I don't think these things are on the recommended list but if you are careful I have had success with each of these treatments.
  • Cool Grammaw Cool Grammaw on Aug 21, 2015
    Gently scrape off the gunk with a razor blade - but only use the type you can get from a hardware store that has a handle on one side, blade on the other. You'l have to use great care to avoid injury to self and the stove top. It's time consuming but it will work. Don't use any kind of scrubby pad at all! If you use the ceramic stovetop cleaner, spread it onto the stove top, let it sit for a while (it can even dry out, that is OK) and then clean it off with the razor. You might have to change out the blades, because they will get dull.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Aug 21, 2015
    You absolutely cannot use a scraper on that kind of stove. There is a special cleaner available for glass tops. Go to a home improvement store, you will have to use it more than once until the grime starts to dissapate.
  • Terry Terry on Aug 21, 2015
    you can buy a ceramic stove kit at home depot...comes with a razor tool that works quite well but if they have scratched it...nothing can be done.
  • Teri Teri on Aug 22, 2015
    I use SoftScrub and a worn Scotch-Brite sponge to clean new spots. Wait until the stovetop is totally cool before you do it. I do have some black spots that will not come off no matter what I do - probably because the top wasn't cleaned properly by the previous owner...
  • TJ TJ on Aug 22, 2015
    I use Easy off oven cleaner on mine, works fine
  • Mary Rossell Mary Rossell on Aug 22, 2015
    I use barkeepers friend powder. It removes everything from my ceramic stove-top.
    • Kate Slimon Kate Slimon on Aug 22, 2015
      I can't find the powder but I have a liquid form in a squirt bottle of Bartenders Friend. Do you think I could use it instead?
  • Wanda.ll Wanda.ll on Aug 22, 2015
    yep oven cleaner works like a charm and doesn't scratch surface. I've used for years on all glass pots, pans and also on stainless steal post and pans( has to be stainless not aluminum).Also use a scrapers to get cleaner off with then no scratches from scrubbers. I got a new house had horrible stove and did this. It comes clean but they scratched it badly before hand so have to use oven cleaner about ever week to really clean.Buy the way Appliance guy said it was fine since no grit in it.
  • Mary Rossell Mary Rossell on Aug 22, 2015
    I never tried the liquid form, so I really can't say. If you have a wal-Mart close, try there. That's where I buy it all the time. Been using it for years.
  • Ginger the farm gal Ginger the farm gal on Aug 22, 2015
    I use Bar Keepers Friend Liquid, if that doesn't work remove the top take outside and spray with oven cleaner
  • Carol Potts Carol Potts on Aug 22, 2015
    First use olive oil or cooking oil on the burnt food and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then use a teaspoon to scrape it off after it is softened and wipe off the excess. Then I make a paste of baking soda and lemon juice and spread it all over the stove top, where the spots of burnt food were, use a credit card or a teaspoon to scrape off anything left. I leave this paste overnight and in the morning wipe it up with a wet sponge. It always looks like new.
  • Kathy Bitzan Kathy Bitzan on Aug 22, 2015
    I used the baking soda and peroxide I heard about, did a pretty good job. But I will try using some others next time. Interesting what works on something I thought would be easier to clean......
  • Jilljhbg Jilljhbg on Aug 22, 2015
    I use a razor blade to scrap off burn stuff first then the commercial cleaners
  • Green Cleaning Coach Green Cleaning Coach on Aug 22, 2015
    There is a product called Shadazzle. It is really just two simple ingredients - pumice and olive oil. That product along with a straight razor does the trick every time on my stove. Don't be afraid of the razor - just keep it at a 45 degree angle and it will remove most everything.
  • Karen's Up on The Hill Karen's Up on The Hill on Aug 23, 2015
    I was going to try this. Let the water sit for tough stains Fill a small bucket or spray bottle with 2 cups of water and mix in 1 tbsp. of fresh lemon juice or 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar. Wipe the stove with a dry rag to remove surface dust and loose crumbs. Spray the solution or dip the rag into the cleaning solution and wring out. Wipe the stove with the wet rag to remove dirt and grease, rinsing and wringing the rag as needed.
  • Marion Marion on Aug 23, 2015
    Find someone who sells Norwex cleaning products near you, there is a cleaning paste that is magical. The products are natural and environmentally friendly. I am a consultant in my home town here in Australia. Trust me, it will work. Before and after example in the photo. Good luck :)
  • Anna fabian Anna fabian on Aug 23, 2015
    Majic eraser works best!
  • Connie Ricke Connie Ricke on Aug 23, 2015
    I have had good luck with a fumeless oven cleaner
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Aug 23, 2015
    well all I'm saying is I don't understand how it didn't scratch.
  • Mar2067780 Mar2067780 on Aug 23, 2015
    mix a little soda to a few drops of water to make a paste put it on and let sit 15 minutes, and rub it in with water, it will not scratch rince and dry to a nice shine,
  • Jenni Jenni on Aug 24, 2015
    I endorse (lol) Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It has amazed me.
  • Funnygirl Funnygirl on Aug 24, 2015
    My stovetop looked like yours. Nothing worked. finally I went to the dollar tree and purchased some small razors . You have to angle them slightly,and do not scratch the heating element, but carefully work around the element. Worked for me. Bought them in the tool section. They have little covers on one side to protect your fingers,you will need to slide out the razor and move it so the razor part is sticking out,and then there is a small lock on the holder to hold it properly.when you are done using it unlock the holder,and put the sharp side back inside the holder,keep it out of a child's reach. Very sharp!
  • Anna fabian Anna fabian on Aug 24, 2015
    Me too,Jenni!
  • Wanda.ll Wanda.ll on Aug 25, 2015
    Well mine is white where the burners are and nothing but oven cleaner gets all of it off. I do use a razor first then the no smell Easy Off . Don't get the cheap stuff it is a waste of money.Works in about 20 minutes, so spray and go then come back and just wipe off and then clean with a new clean sponge.Hope this helps.
  • Cindy Osterbind C Cindy Osterbind C on Aug 25, 2015
    Razor blade works for me every time! I was shocked when I had the same problem as you, Becky, and read to use a razor blade after I had tried everything else under the sun, BUT it worked and doesn't scratch!