Easily take your stovetop from soiled to sparkling without harsh scrubbing.
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Something as simple as frying bacon or simmering tomato sauce can quickly turn a stovetop from sparkling clean to a splattered mess in a few minutes. If you don’t clean it up right away, you may find yourself wrestling with burnt-on bits and tough, greasy stains later. Plus, any grime buildup can affect the performance of your appliance, especially if it's one of those sleek flat electric or induction stovetops. It’s tempting to put off cleaning your stove since it may seem like a big task, but the right stovetop cleaner can save the day and cut down on cleaning time.
While we recommend a quick daily clean-up after cooking to keep your cooktop looking new, after years of putting various cleaners to the test, our experts discovered that using a damp towel or pad to gently work a good stovetop cleaner into the stovetop mess works like a charm.
Each year, the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab puts hundreds of products to the test, ranging from kitchen cleaners and the best oven cleaners to stainless steel cleaners and so much more. When we test stovetop cleaners, we mimic what you would do at home. We fry bacon and hamburgers to create grease splatters, spill and bake on pasta sauce and let pots bubble over. We evaluate each cleaner based on how effectively it cleans and if it’s neat or messy to use. How easily the cooktop cleaner rinses off and how much residue it leaves behind are also taken into consideration. Lastly, we review the product labeling, examining the completeness of the directions and noting any safety precautions required based on their ingredient list.
At the end of this guide, you’ll find more about how we evaluate stovetop cleaners in our Lab, plus everything you need to know to shop for the right kind of cleaner for your stove. Looking for more innovative products to help keep your cooking appliances sparkling? Learn how to clean a glass top stove, the best way to clean an oven and check out our guide for the best grill cleaners.
Our experts love this stovetop cleaner for its versatility. EZ Brite’s Glass and Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner and Conditioner not only tackles grimy glass and ceramic cooktops, but it works on glass and enameled cookware and bakeware too. Quartz and stainless steel surfaces that look a little lackluster can also be restored with this stovetop cleaner.
In our Cleaning Lab tests, we found that, thanks to the gel formula, it goes on and rinses off easily, though it can leave some streaks behind. And as a multi-use product, it not only cleans, but it helps reduce the clutter in your cleaning product cabinet too. To top it all off, our experts found the label directions were excellent and very easy to follow.
Weiman's Gas Range Cleaner and Degreaser is a Good Housekeeping Seal star with an easy-to-use trigger spray bottle that dispenses the grease-cutting liquid right where you need it. Our experts appreciate a multitasking product and this gas cleaner is just that. It works on drip pans, knobs, stainless steel, glass, enameled grates, glass and even metal bakeware. When we tested this cleaner in the Lab, we were impressed with its performance but noted that to effectively clean tough stains, it needs to sit for longer than others we tried.
For extremely tough, stuck-on gunk, a cleaning liquid or gel may not be enough, which is why we recommend this kit from Affresh to thoroughly clean even the toughest messes on your glass stovetop. This kit includes a 5-ounce bottle of creamy cleaner, a scraper to remove heavy grime and five cleaning pads to work the product into the stovetop.
According to the manufacturer, the pads are non-scratching and many reviewers online found that to be true. We haven't tested this entire kit in the Cleaning Lab yet, but we have tested the cleaner itself and found it worked well. Because of the small size of the included cleaner, you'll need to restock more frequently if you use this regularly.
Carbona products have long been favorites in the Cleaning Lab, from the laundry room to the kitchen. Unlike other creamy stovetop cleaners we tested in the Lab, this Glass Ceramic Cooktop Cleaner didn't make a big mess when we applied it to our test stove. This is a great cleaner for a smooth radiant stovetop because not only was it effective at removing burnt-on messes in our tests, but rinsed them away easily — eliminating any chance of leaving behind residue that can build up over time and hamper the cooking performance of your stovetop. We didn't have any trouble with the cleaner's consistency, but some online reviewers believed it was too thin.
This little tool has been previously recognized as a top product in the Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning Awards for how easy it is to use and how well it cleans grime and gunk from glass stovetops with just water. The scrubber is abrasive enough to clean without scratching, and when we tested it on a heavily used GH Test Kitchen cooktop, we were amazed at how well it powered through grease and stuck-on grime. Just note, in our tests, it began degrading after just a few uses, so it won't last forever. We liked the well-designed, ergonomic handle that feels comfortable throughout a quick, easy cleanup anytime.
Disposable wipes, like these cooktop and microwave wipes from Weiman, make cleaning especially convenient since they're ready to tackle messes directly from the container. We especially like these GH Seal star single-use wipes for quick wipe-downs and spur-of-the-moment polishings.
Our Cleaning Lab pros say it’s a smart idea to stock these wipes in addition to a heavy-duty cleaner since they allow you to stay ahead of messes without a lot of work. They may be a little bit thin for really tough jobs, but they work on gas stovetop burners and grates, as well as glass microwave plates too, and are double-sided for scrubbing and wiping — perfect for when pasta water splashes out or oatmeal bubbles over.
Another multitasking Good Housekeeping Seal product? You bet. Weiman Cook Top Max is a cleaner and a polish all-in-one. This paste contains microbeads for better scrubbing action and protectants to restore shine. In our tests, it did a better job of attacking burned-on soil with less scrubbing than liquid cleaners did. Other cleaners turned a small mess into an even bigger one upon application, but because this is a paste, it kept the mess contained. While we didn't mind this stovetop cleaner's smell, some reviewers found it a bit uncomfortable. Because it's a thicker paste, it's best used with a moist scrubbing pad for easier application.
If you’re looking for a plant-based cooktop cleaner that gives you glistening results, then grab a bottle of Nuvera’s Plant-Based Degreaser Cleaner. In our test, we were amazed at how swiftly this cut through grease on glass and stainless steel. In fact, we were so impressed with this product that we gave it a spot in our 2023 Cleaning and Organizing Awards.
We tested this stovetop cleaner on a grease-splattered cooktop and sticky hood range. It proved to be a powerhouse, wiping away gunk quickly (no scrubbing required!) without leaving residue behind. Not only does it clean remarkably well, but there’s no strong chemical odor; instead it has a nice, pleasant scent. When it comes to heavier buildup, it requires more scrubbing, but the cleaner makes it easier to remove and cuts through grease. One tester noted, "It's an effective cleaner — yet it doesn't smell like one. It doesn't leave streaks!"
In case you haven't guessed it yet, multitasking is the theme here. These handy pads can be used way beyond the stovetop. They dissolved grease and stuck-on messes from the glass cooktop we tested them on, and they can also be used on the microwave, sink, range hood and more. The cleaner is built into the pads and only requires water to activate, so no buying other cleaners, wiping up liquids or storing extra bottles around the kitchen.
When it comes to stainless steel, these non-abrasive pads come in handy. Simply flip the pad over and use the polishing side to remove any remaining cleaner or add a little shine without leaving streaks behind. Each pack includes eight large or 16 small pads. Each one is perforated so it can be torn in half for smaller jobs. Take note that each pad can only be used once or twice before you have to throw them away.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab regularly tests all kinds of cleaning products, including hundreds of kitchen products like stovetop cleaners, oven cleaners, kitchen countertops and more. In our last full category test of stovetop cleaners, we tested 14 different cleaners on the market.
To measure efficacy, our testers applied a measured amount of spaghetti sauce to a smooth, pre-heated stovetop in an even layer. They then baked the sauce on for five minutes, allowed it to cool, then, according to package instructions, cleaned it with each cooktop cleaner. They scored each one based on how much residue was left behind and repeated the test three times to make sure each cleaner performed consistently. Our experts also use these stovetop cleaners at home for real-world testing of all different kinds of sticky, heavy messes that can happen during dinnertime.
During tests, our Lab pros also considered things like ease of rinsing — how many passes were required to visibly remove the cleaner from the cooktop — as well as neatness of application and completeness of directions. Because cleaner residue can affect the performance of a stovetop, our experts pay special attention to any residue that is left behind. Each product's packaging is also carefully inspected for proper instructions, safety labels and ingredient lists.
✔️ Stovetop material: Stovetops come in a variety of different materials, including stainless steel, glass, ceramic and enamel. When selecting a cleaner, the most important consideration is what type of stove you have — the wrong type of cleaner could damage the surface. Always consult the label to make sure a stovetop cleaner is safe to use on the material your stove is made from. You’ll avoid damaging your stove and potentially voiding your appliance’s warranty.
✔️ Type of cleaner: There’s a whole host of cleaning products suitable for restoring shine to your stovetop: sponges, pads, wipes, pastes, sprays… you name it. Disposable cleaners like wipes and pads are very convenient for routine everyday cleaning. They’re easy to use and neater than sprays and pastes though they likely won’t be as successful at removing heavy, baked-on messes. Sprays and pastes tend to be stronger but require a little more time and effort to use. These are better suited for removing stuck-on stains and for more thorough cleanings. As with any cleaning product, regardless of the type of cleaner, you should follow all safety precautions printed on the label.
✔️ Scent: In the past, strong cleaning products had strong, uncomfortable smells. Now, many of the cooktop, oven and other kitchen appliance cleaners we test in the Cleaning Lab come in pleasant scents like lemon or have no scent at all. The scent won’t change the efficacy of a cleaning product so it all comes down to your personal preference when selecting the cleaner that is right for you.
If you’re struggling with caked-on food and burnt-on grease, try this method, recommended by our Cleaning Lab experts:
Carolyn Forté has over 40 years of experience testing and writing about all kinds of cleaning products, including stovetop cleaners. As Executive Director of the Home Care and Cleaning Lab, she personally tests dozens of home appliances and cleaning products each year and oversees all of the testing done by our team of product review analysts.
Brigitt Earley is a writer and editor with over 15 years of experience in the home, cleaning, health spaces and more. She has written extensively about household cleaning products. For this story, Brigitt worked under Carolyn's guidance to research and write about the stovetop cleaners.
Jamie (Kim) Ueda most recently updated this story. She is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing. At the Good Housekeeping Institute, she has tested products and written reviews across dozens of categories, including the Home Care and Cleaning Lab.
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.
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
Jamie Kim is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing. She has held leading roles at both mid-size consumer goods companies and one of the most notable and largest apparel brands in the world. Jamie has contributed to several of the GH Institute Labs, including Kitchen Appliances, Media and Tech, Textiles and Home Appliances. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, and working out.
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