How to clean black glass stove top without streaks

Kitchens with black accents are having a major moment right now, and with good reason. The moody color is a stark yet welcome contrast to the white marble trend that's taken over social media feeds. Black even snagged a spot as one of our top paint colors for 2019.

Black appliances are sleek and contemporary. However, these glossy finishes we love make them more susceptible to showing fingerprints, water spots, dust, and grime. Learn how to clean black appliances without losing their luster in just three easy steps. We'll show you how to make a natural cleaning solution from ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, as well as how to buff away hard-to-clean stains.

How to Clean Black Appliances

The method for cleaning black appliances is similar to cleaning stainless steel. Follow our step-by-step instructions to learn how to clean your black microwave, oven, dishwasher, or small appliance.

What You’ll Need:

• Microfiber cloths
• Spray bottle
• Vinegar
• Dish soap
• Baking soda

When it comes to cleaning black appliances, microfiber cloths are your best friend. Their plush fabric is gentle on surfaces and extra absorbent, making it easier to pick up tough grease and grime. Not to mention, you can buy an entire pack for a low cost, and they're reusable! Look to steel wool and scrubbing pads only when cleaning metal oven racks and grates. Otherwise, steer clear to prevent scratching your black appliances.

Step 1: Wipe Down with Vinegar and Water

For microwaves, fridges, and other black appliances: Mix a solution of equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the homemade cleaning solution directly onto the surfaces (both exterior and interior!) and use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe away any food stains and splatters. Don't forget the handles, as they tend to be the biggest culprits for bacteria. If you're worried about cleaning the buttons on your microwave, don't be—while bleach-based cleaning products tend to break down the plastic, vinegar is safe to use.

For the oven: You'll want to save this cleaning task for last as it typically requires a little more grit—and baking soda! Once you're done wiping down your black appliances, add 1/2 cup baking soda to your bottle of homemade vinegar-water solution and shake it up. Remove the grates and racks from your oven and treat them to a warm, soapy soak in the sink. While they sit, spray the solution onto the stovetop and inside your oven, avoiding any heating elements. Once fully coated, let it dry. This can take up to 12 hours, so we recommend you let it sit overnight. For more tips on cleaning your oven, read our comprehensive guide.

Step 2: Wash with Soapy Water

Next, wash away any leftover solution with a new microfiber cloth dipped in warm, soapy water. Liquid dish soap should do the trick. Consider using distilled water instead of hard water. This will save your appliances from any additional buildup and help eliminate the white streak marks often left behind by hard tap water.

If you're still seeing streaks, don't fret. The secret for cleaning black appliances without streaks is in the final step!

Step 3: Dry and Buff

Once you're done wiping down your appliances and have removed any visible soap, grab a dry microfiber cloth. Begin drying in a circular motion as you would with a mirror. If the cloth becomes too damp, grab an additional dry microfiber cloth to complete. It's that easy!

Cleaning black appliances regularly will keep them looking shiny and new, and it can help them last longer. Clean them at least once every few weeks to keep them free from stains and in good working order.

Glass cooktops are the style of choice for anyone who prefers electric ranges or induction cooking appliances and while nothing beats them for their seamless look and sleek style, they can be a real eyesore in your kitchen when covered with grease, film, burned-on deposits and food spills.

How do we know? With all the test kitchens in our Good Housekeeping Institute and the constant flow of ranges in and out of our Kitchen Appliances Lab, we’ve seen, cooked on, and cleaned our share of glass stovetops. And we’ve tested lots of glass cooktop cleaners in our Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. Read on to see how to make your glass stovetop shine in just a few easy steps whether you have light, heavy, or burned-on deposits.

How to clean everyday messes from your glass cooktop

The trick to keeping this surface clean and saving yourself more time, stress, and elbow grease is to stay ahead of the mess and not give it a chance to bake on in the first place. Even light splatters that you can barely see build up over time and become more difficult to remove. That's why it's essential to give it a wipe down after every use, even if you think it looks clean. Here's what to do to ward of cloudiness and keep your cooktop sparkling:

1. Promptly wipe up spills and splatters as they happen with a damp sponge or cloth. Even if the surface looks clean, when invisible layers of grease build up and burn on you wind up with an even bigger job on your hands.
2. Use a grease-cutting spray or wipe specifically made for glass on a cool cooktop, like those from GH Seal-holder Weiman. They won’t leave hazy streaks behind like regular all-purpose and glass cleaners with ammonia can and the wipes are super convenient to use. If you don't have cooktop cleaner handy, use a spritz of full strength white vinegar. It will cut grease and clean without streaking.
3. Rinse and buff the glass dry with a soft cloth or paper towel.

How to clean heavy deposits from your glass stovetop

If it’s been a busy week and cooktop spills have gotten ahead of you, switch to a cooktop cream or paste. The gentle abrasives in these formulas will help loosen stubborn residue that needs a bit of a nudge but that isn’t totally welded onto your glass:

1. Apply cooktop cream or paste to a cool surface with a non-abrasive scrubbing pad working in a circular motion.
2. Rinse the surface thoroughly and buff dry. It’s super important to completely remove any cleaning product residue, otherwise it, too, can bake and burn on and even worse, interfere with the performance of your cooktop, especially induction.
3. Sprinkle on a little baking soda or a non-abrasive cleanser in a pinch and rub with a damp cloth to remove stuck-on stuff, then rinse clean and dry.

How to remove burned-on stains from your glass cooktop

If your glass cooktop has seen better days and is already covered with burned-on grime and needs some TLC to remove discoloration, it’s time to pull out the heavy duty tools:

1. Lay a hot, moist towel on the glass to help soften the residue.
2. Use a razor blade — or the scraper that comes in a cooktop cleaning kit — held at a 45° angle, carefully scrape off the burned bits. Don’t worry, the glass on these cooktops is durable and can handle this treatment. Depending on how baked-on the deposits are, you may have to repeat the hot towel/razor blade step several times.
3. Clean the entire top with your cleanser; then rinse well and buff dry.

Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director

Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.

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