Glass cooktops look sleek and modern in the catalogue, but in real life, they’re basically a magnet for stir-fry and sauce splatters.
However, you don’t actually need a shelf full of neon-coloured cleaners or a sponge that looks like a medieval weapon to deal with them. The truth is, most of the best tools for the job are already tucked away in your pantry, patiently waiting between the flour and the teabags.
Ready to see how to turn that greasy glass into something worthy of a showroom without a single toxic spray? Let’s get into it.
- Baking Soda
Let’s start with the all-rounder of eco-cleaning: baking soda. This white powder is more than just something you’d throw in banana bread. Bicarb is abrasive enough to lift stuck-on grime but gentle enough that it won’t scratch the delicate surface of your cooktop.
Better yet, it’s dirt cheap, doesn’t come with any warning labels, and you probably have a box hiding in your kitchen cabinet.
To use it, mix a few spoonfuls with a splash of water until you’ve got a paste that’s thick enough to spread.
Smear it over the messier spots and let it sit for about 10–15 minutes. This will give it a chance to break down grease and soften those crusty bits.
Once it’s had time to do its thing, grab a soft cloth or sponge and wipe it off gently. Keep in mind that some smudges may need a second round. So, if you’re dealing with a stubborn patch, just repeat the process.
- Vinegar
Vinegar definitely doesn’t smell like roses, but when it comes to leaving your glass streak-free, it’s unbeatable.
White vinegar is naturally acidic, which makes it brilliant at dissolving oil and softening burnt-on bits. It’s also antibacterial, so you can use it to clean and disinfect your stove.
Pour some vinegar into a spray bottle (no need to dilute it unless you prefer a lighter scent), spritz it generously across your cooktop, and let it sit for a few minutes.
If you’re really not a fan of the smell, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the bottle. You’ll still get the same cleaning power with a fresher scent.
By the time you return, it will have loosened up the gunk enough for you to wipe it off with a microfibre cloth.
For the best results, give the surface a quick once-over with a dry cloth afterwards to polish everything up and stop water marks from forming.
- Lemon Juice
If vinegar feels a bit too sharp for your liking, you can use lemons instead. That fresh burst of citrus isn’t just for tea and salad dressing; it’s also a natural degreaser and stain-fighter.
To make the most out of it, cut a lemon in half, squeeze it, splash the juice onto trouble spots, and let it rest for 10 minutes or so. The acid inside the lemon will chew through grime and leave behind a zesty signature smell.
Once the lemon has done its thing, wipe the area clean with a soft cloth. Now, your cooktop is not only spotless, but it also smells like a burst of fresh air, not chemicals.
And if you don’t want to waste resources, use half for cleaning, toss the other half into a jug of water, or save the rind to freshen up your bin.
- Cornflour
You probably think of cornflour as something that thickens sauces, but it’s also brilliant for giving glass cooktops a streak-free shine.
Here’s how to use it: Once you’ve dealt with the bigger splatters with baking soda, vinegar, or lemon, dust a bit of cornflour across your cooktop. Wipe the surface gently with a damp microfibre cloth, then go over it again with a dry one.
The fine texture of the cornflour will grab onto any leftover oils and streaks, leaving you with that clean, just-polished look without using synthetic sprays.
It’s cheap, biodegradable, and food safe, so you don’t have to stress about using it around meal-prep areas.
- Dish Soap
Sometimes, the simplest answer is really the best. A few drops of plain dish soap can cut through grease on your stove without leaving behind harsh residues.
Just squeeze a couple of drops into warm water and dip a soft sponge or microfibre cloth in the solution. Then, wipe the surface gently, paying attention to any greasy patches.
For stubborn spots, let the soapy water sit for a minute before giving it another pass. Rinse the cloth, wipe everything again with clean water, and you’re done.
It’s quick, safe, and gentle enough for everyday cleaning, making it the perfect solution if you want to keep your glass looking fresh between deeper scrubs.
Plus, dish soap costs next to nothing and lasts forever, so it’s one of the easiest eco swaps you’ll ever make. Just keep a bottle tucked under your sink, and you’ll say goodbye to oil smudges and streaks.
- Olive Oil
It sounds counterintuitive to fight grease with oil, but olive oil is surprisingly handy for loosening up stubborn, burnt-on stains without scratching your cooktop.
Just drizzle the tiniest bit onto a soft cloth and rub it gently over the problem spot. The oil will soften the mess, so you’ll be able to wipe it away without scrubbing.
Once the stain is gone, give the area a quick wipe with vinegar or soapy water to clear any oily residue. It’s an easy, natural hack that will leave your stove shiny.
That said, if you love the idea of green cleaning but don’t have time to actually do it yourself, you’re in luck.
Many residential cleaning services now offer eco-friendly options and will happily swap harsh sprays for vinegar, lemon oil, or whatever natural mix you prefer.
Conclusion
It doesn’t take much to flip cleaning from a chore into a little victory. A few swipes with an eco-friendly cleaner, and your stove will be gleaming. It’s proof you can look after your home without fuss, guilt, or a cupboard full of chemicals.
And honestly, nothing beats that moment when your cooktop catches the light just right and practically sparkles back at you.