The Affordable Way To Remove (Most) Scratches From Glass Cooktops

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Glass cooktops look sleek and modern, but the best thing about them is that they're easier to wipe clean than a gas alternative. There are no messy burners to contend with, nor a set of annoying grates that gather bits of burnt food and require an overnight soak. Having said that, glass cooktops do need to be handled with care to prevent scratches from cropping up on the surface and ruining their pristine aesthetic. An affordable way to remove some of those unsightly scratches is to rub some baking soda toothpaste onto them.

Glass cooktops can develop marks if you drag pots and pans across them instead of lifting and moving them over. They can also become damaged from cookware that has a rough and ragged base, or from spilled food that's been left to harden and scoured off aggressively. Using strong abrasives like steel wool to remove residues is a big no-no on glass stovetops, but even a textured washing-up sponge can result in superficial scratches. A toothpaste that contains baking soda is a safer and inexpensive option when it comes to buffing away shallow scratches and white marks. All you need to do is add a dime-sized amount of toothpaste to your cold cooktop and use a soft cloth to polish away the scratches using a circular motion. Wait 15 minutes, then wipe away with a damp towel. If it works, follow up by wiping down the surface with your regular cleaner. However, if it hasn't had the desired effect, you can repeat the process.

Some toothpastes are made with baking soda because this clever ingredient reduces bacteria by making the mouth less acidic, whitens the teeth, and gets rid of stains (in fact, baking soda is effective at removing coffee stains off carpets too). However, it's also incredible for buffing away scratches on the surface of glass cooktops because its slightly grainy texture makes it naturally abrasive. Moreover, this characteristic means you can clean your glass cooktop with baking soda toothpaste to remove burnt food as well.

When mixed with water to make a paste, baking soda can revive cutting boards, cabinet fronts, and worktops because it's strong enough to abrade stubborn residues and polish their surfaces without damaging them. But if you only need a small amount, it's easier to use a blob of inexpensive toothpaste straight from the tube than to mix your own magic formula.

Small, shallow scratches won't affect the heating capabilities of your induction cooktop, but bigger cracks can cause it to overheat or create electrical issues, in which case, your stovetop should be replaced. One way to safeguard your cooktop from scratches is to place a cover over it when it's not in use. This silicone stovetop cover, available on Amazon, provides extra space for food prep and is easy to clean.