First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Judge the damage first: light browning may come out, but charred or deep burns usually cannot.
- Test any new cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area first.
- Work gently, since steel wool and harsh scrubbing can damage the finish.
- Let a hot dish or cooktop cool before you clean it.
A scorch on glass is heat damage to the surface itself, so the first question is how deep the discoloration goes. Once the cooktop is fully cool, soap and warm water lift fresh residue, and a stubborn spot may need a non-abrasive cleanser. Melted plastic and deep burns are a different problem from a surface stain and need different handling.
Burnt-on food on a glass top stove usually softens once the surface has cooled completely, so wait before you start. Melted plastic on a glass top stove is a different job, so don't scrape at it with a metal blade. Small burnt spots on the cooktop and burn stains on a glass dish respond to the same mild soap.
Before you start
What glass, windows & mirrors can take
Safe to use1
- Water
Use with care7
- Hot water
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
- Heat, once the stain is out
7 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Mild soapThe first cleaner for any burnt mark on glass or ceramic. (opens Amazon)
- Warm waterMixes with the soap and loosens light browning.
- Soft clothCleans without scratching the surface. (opens Amazon)
- Non-abrasive cleanser made for glass or ceramic dishwareUsed only if the soap and water don't lift the mark. (opens Amazon)
- Plastic or nylon padThe only pad safe for scouring glass or ceramicware. (opens Amazon)
- Clean waterFor rinsing away every trace of cleaner.
- Rubber glovesWear them with any stronger chemical. (opens Amazon)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Judge the damage first
Look at the mark closely in good light and decide what you're dealing with. Light browning may come out with the steps below, but a charred or deep burn usually can't be removed and may need a professional repair.
Careful. Deep burns are permanent, and aggressive treatment can damage the surface further.
Step 2 of 5
Test a hidden spot first
Choose a small, inconspicuous area, such as an edge or the underside of the piece. Apply any new cleaner there first and check it before you treat the stain itself.
Step 3 of 5
Wipe with soap and warm water
Make sure the surface is fully cool, then wipe the stain with mild soap in warm water on a soft cloth. Lift away loose crumbs or debris with a dry cloth first so they don't get dragged across the glass.
Tip. Wring the cloth well so it stays damp, not wet.
Step 4 of 53 to 5 minutes
Work in the non-abrasive cleanser
If the soap and water don't lift the mark, apply a non-abrasive cleanser made for glass or ceramic dishware. Let heavy soil dwell 3 to 5 minutes per the product label, then work it in gently, using a plastic or nylon pad only if you need to scour.
Tip. Work in small areas so you can check progress as you go.
Step 5 of 5
Rinse, dry and check
Rinse the area with clean water until no cleanser film remains, then dry it with a clean cloth. Alkaline cleaners may need several rinses before the surface feels clean.
Tip. Look at the spot in good light once it's dry before you decide to repeat the wipe.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for scorch on glass, windows & mirrors
Choose a non-abrasive cleanser made for glass or ceramic dishware, and confirm the label says it's meant for the surface you're cleaning.
Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
e-cloth General Purpose Cloth
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on glass, windows & mirrors, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
Light browning that fades with the soap and cleanser is a sign the method is working. If the mark looks the same after several gentle rounds, it's probably a deep burn that won't come out, so stop before you wear down the surface.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your glass, windows & mirrors
Burnt food on a glass top stove
Crusted food needs the soap step to do most of the work, so wipe it with mild soap and warm water on a soft cloth first. Give any stubborn bits the non-abrasive cleanser next, and keep the cloth damp rather than soaking the cooktop.
If the food has baked into a dark ring, work the spot gently with the cleanser and a plastic or nylon pad, then rinse well before you judge the result.
Melted plastic on a glass top stove
Melted plastic has to be cool before you touch it, so let the cooktop cool completely first. Don't pry or scrape at it while it's still warm, and don't use a metal blade or other hard object to lift it.
Once it's cool, work the plastic loose with soap and warm water, then add the non-abrasive cleanser and a plastic or nylon pad if needed. If a dark mark remains after that, it's a deep burn, so stop and call a professional instead of trying harder.
Small burnt spots on a glass top stove
Small spots are the best case, so start with the soap and water wipe alone. Move to the cleanser only if the spot holds.
Test the cleanser on a hidden area first, then work only the spot itself rather than the whole cooktop. Check the spot in good light after each rinse before you repeat.
Glass dish
Let the dish cool fully before it touches water, since sudden temperature changes can break glass. Then wash it with mild soap and warm water on a soft cloth, and use the non-abrasive cleanser made for glass or ceramic dishware if the mark stays.
If scouring is needed, use only a plastic or nylon pad and keep the pressure light. A deep burn usually won't come out, so stop once the mark stops fading. For ceramic mugs and plates, the Dishes & Mugs guide covers those pieces in more detail.
Old, dried or set-in stains
An old mark that has been sitting for a while is harder, but the same gentle steps are still the starting point. Old light browning can fade a little with repeated rounds of soap, cleanser and rinse. Let each round dry before you judge it.
Dried-on food or plastic needs the cool-down first, and it shouldn't be scraped while it's still warm. Once it's cool, soften it with the soap and water, then work the cleanser in with a plastic or nylon pad.
If the mark is still there after several gentle rounds, it's most likely a deep burn. Deep scorch cannot be reversed, so a professional repair or replacement is the realistic next step. Stronger products aren't a safe bet on this surface, so don't try them.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on scorch on glass, windows & mirrors?
These are the household remedies people often reach for on a burnt glass stove or dish. Only soap and warm water are worth using on glass, and the rest aren't needed for this burn.
Skip6
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't scrape with metal or hard objects
Metal blades, steel wool, sandpaper and other hard objects can scratch or damage glass and ceramicware. Use only a plastic or nylon pad if you need to scour.
Don't use cleaners with fluorine
Fluorine compounds damage ceramic, glass and stone, and that damage can't be wiped away. Check the label of any cleaner before you buy it.
Don't set a hot dish on a cold surface
Adding liquid to a hot dish, or setting it on a countertop, metal surface or in the sink, can make it break. Let it cool first, then wash it.
When to call a professional
Call a professional if the burn is charred, deep or has changed the surface itself, since that usually can't be removed at home. Ask for a quote before you commit, because repair options depend on the piece.
Questions
Can burn stains come out of glass?
Light browning may come out with the soap, cleanser and rinse steps. Charred or deep burns usually can't be removed, and the surface may need professional repair.
Can I speed up cooling with cold water?
No. Sudden temperature changes can break glass and ceramicware. Let the cooktop or dish cool on its own before you wipe it.
What can I use on a mirror with a burn-like mark?
On mirrors, use a damp cloth with a 50/50 mix of water and isopropyl alcohol, spraying the cloth and not the mirror. Don't use ammonia or vinegar cleaners on mirrors, since they can damage the edges and backing.
Do I need gloves for these cleaners?
Yes, if you use any stronger chemical. Wear rubber gloves, ventilate the room, and rinse thoroughly so no cleaner stays on the surface.
Can I use bleach to lift the mark?
No, skip bleach; if you do use it, test a hidden spot first and rinse several times, since it can be hard to rinse off. If you do use it, test a hidden spot first and rinse several times, since bleach and alkaline cleaners can be hard to rinse off.
Can I use a scouring pad on a glass dish?
Only a plastic or nylon pad, and only if the soap and cleanser didn't lift the mark. Keep the pressure light and rinse the dish afterward.
Can melted plastic come off a glass cooktop?
It can often be worked loose once the cooktop has fully cooled, using soap and warm water first. Any dark mark left after that is a deep burn and won't come out.
Scorch on other materials
Other stains on glass, windows & mirrors
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.