Get Rid of Scratches on a Glass Cooktop Like a Pro

Glass cooktops have a lot of benefits—they’re slicker and easier to clean than traditional metal cooktop. Unfortunately, glass cooktops do tend to get scratched from time to time. The good news is that this is usually pretty easy to fix. We have the tips you need to get your cooktop looking like new in no time, plus maintenance tips from cleaning experts Ashley Matuska & Raymond Chiu.

Best Ways to Remove Scratches on Glass Stovetops

Minor scratches can often be buffed out with a paste of two parts baking soda and one part water. If that doesn’t work, you can fill in larger gaps with polish or use a glass filler kit for deeper scratches, cracks, or chips in the glass

Section 1 of 5:

Removing Minor Scratches from a Glass Cooktop

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1
Buff out minor scratches with baking soda paste. Mix 2 parts baking soda with 1 part water in a small cup. Stir the mixture with a spoon or popsicle stick until it has the consistency of a thick paste. Spread this over your scratches or scuff marks and rub it gently into the cooktop with a clean cloth. Then, wipe the cooktop clean to see if the scratch has improved. ^{[1]
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- When to try this: Run your finger over the scratch—if you don’t feel any gaps, it’s probably small enough to be buffed out with baking soda.
- Check for improvement: If the scratch has improved after the first pass, try buffing it with baking soda again until it’s barely noticeable. If it hasn’t improved at all, the scratch may be too deep for baking soda.
2
Use non-gel toothpaste as a baking soda alternative. If baking soda doesn’t work—or you don’t have any on hand—you may be able to get the scratches out with plain white toothpaste. Squirt a bead of toothpaste over any scratches you want to remove. Then, use a damp rag to buff the toothpaste into the cooktop using moderately-firm circular motions. Wipe the toothpaste up to see if the scratch is gone. ^{[2]
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- Choose the right toothpaste: Use white toothpaste with baking soda in it—not gel toothpaste.
- If the scratch is still there: If the scratch is still very noticeably, move on to polish and an orbital sander . But keep in mind that while you can fade scratches, they might not disappear completely, so if it’s improved, you may not need to do anything else.

Section 2 of 5:

Buffing Out Deep Scratches from a Glass Cooktop

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Use polish and an orbital buffer for tough scratches. Any non-abrasive polish will work for this— glass polish is best, but car polish or metal polish will also work. On a cool cooktop, pour a few pea-sized dollops of polish on top of your scratches. Place a cloth or foam buffing pad on an orbital buffer and put the pad over the scratches. Set the buffer to the lowest speed setting and gently work the polish into the cooktop with a constant back-and-forth motion. When you’re finished, wipe away the polish with a clean cloth and check your progress. ^{[3]
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- Make 3–4 passes as needed. You may not be able to remove the scratches entirely, but the polish should help fill in the scratches and make them significantly less noticeable.
- If this doesn’t work: The scratches may be too deep to buff away. Try filling the scratch in with a glass filler kit . If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the cooktop.

Section 3 of 5:

Using Glass Filler on a Cracked or Chipped Cooktop

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Use a glass filler kit or epoxy to fill in the cooktop. Pick up a glass filler or two-part epoxy kit . Clean the crack or chipped area with denatured alcohol, then follow the instructions to mix the filler or epoxy paste in a container to activate it. Protect your hands with nitrile or vinyl gloves and spread the filler over the chip or crack. Wipe up any excess filler or epoxy, running a popsicle stick over the surface to make sure it’s flush. Wait for the filler to dry.
- Use this method for deep scratches, cracks, or chips. If the cooktop has shattered, you’ll probably need to replace the glass.
- Make cleanup easy: Line the edges of a crack with painter’s tape if you’re worried about the epoxy getting everywhere.
- Get a finished look: Paint the filler after it dries if you want it to match the rest of the cooktop.
- If the edge of your cooktop is cracked: Place a popsicle stick flush on the edge where the crack is located and tape it to the cooktop with painter’s tape. This will make it easier to fill in the gap. ^{[4]
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Section 4 of 5:

When to Replace a Glass Cooktop

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Replace the glass if it’s shattered or deeply cracked. It’s not safe to use your glass cooktop if the top is shattered or there are deep cracks. You may also need to replace the glass if there are deep scratches over the element—the intense heat from the elements could make cooking unsafe.
- To order new glass: If you need to replace the glass, look on your stove for a sticker or label with the model number. Then, contact the manufacturer or look online to order a new cooktop, making sure to get one for your exact stove model.
- Ask the manufacturer for installation instructions: If you only need to remove and replace a few screws, you can probably install the new glass cooktop yourself. ^{[5]
  X
  Research source} But if the process is more complicated, like if there’s any wiring involved, have it done professionally.
- How much does it cost? The cost of a new cooktop can vary drastically depending on the brand and model of your stove, but on average, expect to pay $100–$200 for the replacement glass.

Section 5 of 5:

How to Prevent Scratches

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1
Lift pots and pans instead of sliding them. If you’re moving a dish off of the element, lift it up and gently place it where you want it to go. Don’t slide the pan across the cooktop—even the slightest rough edge on the bottom of the cookware could scratch the glass. ^{[6]
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- Use smooth-bottomed cookware, like stainless steel , ceramic , anodized aluminum , or enameled cast iron . Avoid using rough materials like uncoated cast iron or stone.
- Don’t use damaged pots or pans with jagged edges.
- Avoid putting metal spatulas or other cooking utensils directly onto the cooktop.
2
Clean your stove with a dampened microfiber cloth and mild dish soap. As soon as the cooktop is cool, wipe it down in a circular motion using a damp cloth with a little dish soap. You can also use a cleaner intended for glass cooktops . ^{[7]
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Research source} Clean the cooktop every time you use it, and wipe up any spills right away. If you let them dry, you could scratch the glass trying to clean them. ^{[8]
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- According to Chiu, abrasive cleaners can scratch your glass cooktop. Use mild dish soap instead of harsh cleaners, and don’t use dry towels, steel wool, abrasive sponges, or magic erasers, as these can all damage the glass.
- Also, avoid scraping the surface with a spatula or abrasive pad. ^{[9]
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- Glass cooktops aren’t actually straight glass—they’re a blend of glass and ceramic. This means that some chemical glass cleaners, like Windex, may actually weaken the cooktop over time. ^{[10]
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3
Use a razor blade and cleaning spray to remove burnt-on food. If food spills onto the element, you could end up with a burnt-on mess that seems impossible to clean. Matsuka recommends, “Spray the spot with an all-purpose cleaner, then place a razor blade flat against the cooktop, holding it at a low angle.” Work slowly, scraping away the burnt-on food with the edge of the razorblade.
- Matsuka says, “As long as you keep the edge of the razor blade wet, you don’t have to worry about scratching the glass.”

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you get burnt sugar off a glass stove top?

Raymond Chiu
Home Appliance Cleaner
Raymond Chiu is the owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service, offering affordable residential and office cleaning services. Since its founding in 2014 in New York City, Maid Sailors has expanded to several cities, including Boston, Chicago, and Austin. The company has earned a reputation as one of the most reliable and best cleaning services in the industry.

Raymond Chiu

Home Appliance Cleaner

Expert Answer

Gently scrape off any large, burnt sugar particles using a plastic scraper. Then, cover the cooktop with a baking soda paste and let it sit for a few minutes to help loosen the burnt sugar. Scrub the area gently with a soft cloth or sponge until the burnt sugar is removed. Rinse the area with clean water and dry with a soft cloth. If this doesn't get rid of the sugar, repeat the same cleaning process.

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How do you get scalded milk off a glass cooktop?

Raymond Chiu
Home Appliance Cleaner
Raymond Chiu is the owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service, offering affordable residential and office cleaning services. Since its founding in 2014 in New York City, Maid Sailors has expanded to several cities, including Boston, Chicago, and Austin. The company has earned a reputation as one of the most reliable and best cleaning services in the industry.

Raymond Chiu

Home Appliance Cleaner

Expert Answer

Use a plastic scraper to gently remove any large chunks of milk from the glass cooktop. Then, cover the burnt milk with a baking soda paste and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub the area gently with a soft cloth or sponge until the burnt milk is removed. Rinse the area with clean water and dry it off with a soft cloth. If necessary, repeat this cleaning process.

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Question

My stains seem to be under the surface of my GE black-glass stovetop. They are not on the surface.

Snakey006550

Top Answerer

They may be caused by buildup or residue that's penetrated the cooktop. In this case, try a specialized cooktop cleaner for deep cleaning. Apply the cleaner to the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes to break down any residue. You can then gently scrub it with a non-abrasive pad or cloth. If the stains are persistent, a mixture of baking soda and water might help. Apply it and let it sit before scrubbing. If the stains remain under the surface, it could be a more serious issue, and you might want to contact a professional for a deeper inspection.

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To avoid burning yourself, always let your cooktop cool before you touch or work on it.

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Warnings

Do not use a cracked or chipped cooktop without repairing it—you could cut yourself, and the crack can get worse over time as your cooktop heats and cools.

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Get Rid of Scratches on a Glass Cooktop Like a Pro

Best Ways to Remove Scratches on Glass Stovetops

Steps

Removing Minor Scratches from a Glass Cooktop

Buffing Out Deep Scratches from a Glass Cooktop

Using Glass Filler on a Cracked or Chipped Cooktop

When to Replace a Glass Cooktop

How to Prevent Scratches

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

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