Cleaning Burned Milk Off a Cooktop

A woman cleaning burned milk off a stove top.
What You'll Need
Baking soda
Warm water
Razor scraper
Lint-free towel
Paper towel
White vinegar
Scouring pad
Dish detergent
Paper towels
What You'll Need
Baking soda
Warm water
Razor scraper
Lint-free towel
Paper towel
White vinegar
Scouring pad
Dish detergent
Paper towels

When boiling milk, it only takes a second for the milk to boil over and burn on the cooktop. It's imperative to clean it as soon as possible because it can interfere with heating and can cause smoke.

There are several cleaning options. Simply follow the tips that match your type of cooktop to remove the burned milk without damaging the surface.

Glass and Ceramic Cooktops

Burned milk on a glass or ceramic cooktop can be a seriously smokey problem if not addressed quickly. To fix the problem, follow these steps.

Step 1 - Making the Paste

First, pour as much baking soda as you'd like into a bowl. You will be making a paste which can be stored in an airtight container. Next, add small amounts of warm water to the baking soda and stir until you form a paste.

Step 2 - Cleaning the Cooktop

Mix a small amount of detergent with water until soapy, then clean the cooktop with a paper towel. Dry the cooktop off with a lint-free towel, and then rub the baking soda paste over the burned milk on the cooktop. Wait about an hour, then use the razor scraper to remove the paste like you're shaving. Make sure the razor is as flat as you can get it.

If the burned milk is still hanging around, you can repeat this step.

Step 3 - Buffing and Finishing

Once the burned milk is gone, you can buff the cooktop so that it looks good as new. Mix white vinegar and warm water at a 1:2 ratio. Dip a paper towel into the solution and scrub the cooktop down. This is a slow process, but it is important if you want that "new-looking" shine back.

Finally, dampen the lint-free towel and wipe down the cooktop to remove the vinegar and any residue. Do not use the cooktop until it's completely dry.

Metal and Standard Cooktops

Milk and other things that are spilled and burned on standard cooktops are much easier to clean than they are on glass or ceramic models, but there are more cracks and crevices to deal with. Here's how to proceed.

Step 1 - Burners

Fill your sink with warm water and add a cup of baking soda, stirring until the baking soda has dissolved. Place the metal risers into the water, allow them to soak for about an hour.

After the burners have soaked, remove them from the water and set them on top of a towel, letting them air dry with the baking soda mixture coated on. Then rinse off with normal water, gently rubbing off any loose food materials with paper towels.

Step 2 - Cooktop and Underneath

Mix water and dish detergent at a ratio of 2:1, and fill a spray bottle with it. Add a drop of vinegar for those tougher spills. Spray the solution onto the cooktop, and let it sit for ten minutes. Use the scouring pad to scrub the sprayed area and remove the burned milk.

Next, use a damp, lint-free towel to wipe off any residue. Lift the top of the oven up to reveal the burners and reservoir area, then repeat the same procedure you applied to the cooktop. Lower it back down once it is thoroughly cleaned, and replace the metal risers.

Cleaning Burned Milk Off a Cooktop FAQ

What removes burnt milk?

When you are cleaning burned milk out of a pan, you can use a little bit of salt and a wooden spoon to remove it. But when it comes to your cooktop, you don't necessarily want to start with the most abrasive cleaning techniques.

Most cooktops are made of glass or ceramic material, which you don't want to damage while you're trying to remove burned milk. An acidic cleaning agent, such as lemon juice or vinegar, can loosen up the milk.

A little steel wool or a razor can be used to scrape or scrub the milk off the cooktop.

How do you remove hardened milk?

Stubborn, hardened milk can be difficult to remove from any cooktop surface. Try wetting the stain with vinegar and then sprinkling baking soda on it.

Let the baking soda mixture sit on the stain for several minutes, and gently wipe the stain away with a clean, damp cloth, moving in circular motions.

You can also use toothpaste that contains baking soda. Rub the toothpaste directly onto the stubborn spot, let it sit for about 10 minutes, and use a clean, damp cloth to wipe it away.

How do you get burnt milk off a ceramic stove top?

When standard cleaning tricks and tools don't work to remove burned milk stains, a razor blade can be used to gently scrape the residue off the cooktop.

Does vinegar remove milk stains?

Vinegar is a very effective household cleaner that can be used to clean lots of different items in the home. Especially when mixed with baking soda, vinegar can be used on stubborn stains on cooktops, including burned milk.

Can bleach remove milk stains?

Various cleaning tools and formulas can be used to get rid of burned milk and stubborn stains on cooktops, so it is not necessary to use caustic or aggressive cleaning agents like bleach to get rid of stains.