Will Brillo Pads Scratch Glass? (Stove Top, Oven, Shower)

Brillo pads are great at cleaning many kinds of surfaces, but does that include glass surfaces? Does Brillo scratch glass, and how do we use it?

In this article, we will be discussing the use of Brillo pads on glass surfaces. We will talk specifically about glass top stoves, glass oven doors, and glass shower doors. We’ll also look at ways of cleaning them with and without Brillo pads.

Will Brillo Pads Scratch Glass?

Brillo pads are abrasives made of steel wool, the only difference between them and steel wool is, they have soap in them.

Unless you apply pressure while using them, Brillo pads are great for glass because even though they are made of steel wool, they aren’t made of the coarser grades. Brillo pads are just abrasive enough to remove stubborn stains, grime buildups, and rusts.

Another reason Brillo pads don’t scratch glass is that they have soap embedded in them. This is why you shouldn’t use an old one to clean glass, it probably would have lost its soap.

Any steel wool pad without soap in it will likely scratch your glass. Always try to use a new one.

While cleaning glass, if you put too much pressure on the Brillo pads because they don’t scratch and because you want your glass to be sparkling clean, you are likely going to scratch your glass. You want to use them gently.

The brillo pad will not just clean your glass, it will also remove hard water spots and buff out the scratches on them.

Can I Use Brillo Pads on My Glass Top Stove?

You can use Brillo pads on the glass top stove, but only for removing tough stains, burnt marks, or stuck-on food debris. You shouldn’t use Brillo pads on your glass top stove every time you want to do basic cleaning as it increases the risk of scratching.

Glass top stoves are to be treated with care, and there are lots of non-abrasive cleaners out there that will do an excellent job in keeping them clean. You don’t need Brillo pads.

There are even non-abrasive scrubs and methods that will remove stains and grime buildup without scratching.

NOTE: You should only opt for Brillo pads when you have tried other abrasives and nothing seems to be working. This is when you need the abrasiveness of soapy steel wool in the Brillo pads.

How to Use Brillo Pads on Glass Top Stove?

STEP 1: Use some dishwashing liquid and a soft sponge to wash the glass top stove. It helps reveal the stubborn stains and spots where you would be needing the Brillo pad.

If the soap and sponge are able to clean all the dirt and stains, you don’t need a Brillo pad, if not move to the next step.

STEP 2: Pour white vinegar on the stains, grime buildup, and burnt marks you want to get rid of. Then sprinkle some baking soda on them.

This will loosen up the grime in the area and make it easy to clean up. This will also eradicate streaks and hard water spots.

STEP 3: Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes. About 7-10 minutes is enough.

STEP 4: Wet a Brillo pad and use it to scrub the spots gently, without too much pressure. Use a damp cloth to clean the glass and check for the stains.

If it’s necessary, scrub the spots a little more. Then clean with the damp cloth and dry off.

Brillo Pad Alternative

There are better ways of cleaning glass top stove than with Brillo pads. You can get rid of even the toughest of spots without abrasive cleaners and without the risk of getting your glass scratched.

Bar Keeper’s Friend is very effective for this. It is easily available, affordable, and requires less energy.

YOU’LL NEED

1- Bar Keeper’s Friend (powder)
2- Dish soap
3- Two Non-abrasive sponges
4- Cloth (2)

STEPS

STEP 1: Clean your glass top stove with a dry cloth. Remove all dust and dirt from its surface.

STEP 2: Use a clean damp cloth to wipe the glass. This is to prepare it for the BKF treatment. If you use the BKF on a dry glass top stove, you won’t get the result you are looking for.

STEP 3: Sprinkle some Bar Keeper’s Friend powder on the glass surface and let it sit for 5 minutes to give it time to work.

If the grime buildup and streaks are really bad, you can let it sit for more than 5 minutes. More time helps the acid work better.

STEP 4: Use a damp sponge to clean the glass. Make sure it’s a non-abrasive sponge. You might need a little bit of elbow grease here.

Apply pressure in areas where there are stains, soap scums, or water spots. When you are done, wipe the glass with a damp cloth.

STEP 5: Put some dish soap on another sponge. Wet it and use it to clean your glass top stove. This removes all the BKF on it.

STEP 6: Wipe the glass with a damp cloth and follow it with a dry one.

Can I Use Brillo Pads on Glass Oven Doors?

Although abrasives, Brillo pads will not scratch your glass oven door or damage it in any way. They work well in getting rid of baked-on food remnants and grime buildup on the oven door without leaving scratches. They also remove water streaks without needing a lot of elbow grease or pressure.

The use of a Brillo pad is also one of the cheapest ways of cleaning and maintaining your glass oven door because it doesn’t need to be combined with other products for cleaning.

Brillo pads come with soap in them which cuts through grease fast. So you don’t need soap or chemical cleaners to keep your oven clean. If your glass oven doors however have tough stains on them, you can use a glass cleaner with the Brillo pad.

Brillo pads are also a good choice because they are effective on not only the glass oven door but on the oven itself.

You should however avoid applying too much pressure while using your Brillo pad on the glass oven door. You don’t want to risk scratching it. Avoid using Brillo pads all the time too.

The best way to maintain your glass oven door is to clean it regularly. When food remnants stick to your oven door, clean them off immediately. This will prevent the food from being baked on it and becoming difficult to clean off later on.

If you do this, you won’t need abrasive scrubbers like Brillo pads to clean your glass oven door.

Regular cleaning with a soft sponge and dish soap is all you need.

How to Use Brillo Pads on Glass Oven Door?

STEP 1: Switch on the oven on low heat for a few minutes to warm the oven door up. This will loosen up the grime buildup which will make it easy to clean.

STEP 2: Wet the Brillo pad and wipe the glass oven door back and forth to remove all dirt. If it’s necessary, first spray the glass with a glass cleaner or oven cleaner. Then, scrub gently with the Brillo pad.

STEP 3: Wipe the glass with a damp cloth and follow with a dry one.

Brillo Pad Alternative

Brillo pads are great but since they are abrasive some people hesitate to use them on their glass oven doors.

If this is the case, baking soda and vinegar are alternatives for you. Stains, streaks, and grime will be removed easily.

YOU’LL NEED

1- Vinegar
2- Baking soda
3- Water
4- 2 Microfiber cloths
5- Soft cloth
6- Glass cleaner

STEPS

STEP 1: Make a paste of baking soda and water, and spread it on your glass oven door.

STEP 2: Let it sit for a few hours (About two to three hours is enough).

STEP 3: Scrub the glass gently with a microfiber cloth (which is damp with warm water). Also, use it to remove the baking soda paste.

STEP 4: Spray vinegar on the glass door and allow it to sit for three minutes. Then wipe off with a damp soft cloth.

STEP 5: Spray some glass cleaner and wipe with a dry microfiber cloth to polish the oven door. This will make it shine and look new.

Can You Use Brillo Pads on Glass Shower Doors?

Brillo pads are great at removing soap scum, hard water deposits, and limescale from glass shower doors. They also do not scratch the glass even when pressure is applied.

For regular cleaning of your glass shower doors, you may not need to use Brillo pads as the dirt will easily come off with a microfiber cloth and soap. This prevents soap scum buildup and water spots.

For deep cleaning however and stain removal, Brillo pads are useful and effective.

NOTE: For better results, don't use the Brillo pad alone on your glass shower doors. Combine it with other cleaning materials that will aid the Brillo pad's work.

How to Use Brillo Pads on Glass Shower Doors?

YOU’LL NEED

1- Vinegar
2- Lemon
3- Water
4- Brillo pad
5- Bowl
6- Cloth (2)
7- Spray bottle

STEPS

STEP 1: Pour one cup of vinegar into a bowl. Get a lemon and squeeze the juice into the bowl, then add 1/3 cup of water and mix everything.

STEP 2: Pour this solution into a spray bottle and spray your shower doors generously.

STEP 3: Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes. Alternatively, you can soak a towel in the solution and drape it over your shower doors if possible. Allow it to sit for a few minutes; 10 minutes is enough.

STEP 4: If you use a sheet, now is the time to remove it. Then, take your Brillo pad and scrub the glass shower doors as you spray more solution on doors with your other hand.

STEP 5: Wipe your glass shower doors with a damp cloth to see your progress. If it’s necessary repeat the process. Do this until you see the result you desire.

STEP 6: Rinse the glass doors with water and dry with a squeegee or dry cloth.

Brillo Pad Alternative

A good alternative to Brillo pad for your glass shower door is a microfiber cloth. Combined with good cleaning agents, it will you good results.

But if you’re going to be using microfiber cloth instead of Brillo pad, you’ll need more than vinegar and lemon to clean.

YOU’LL NEED

1- Vinegar
2- Baking soda
3- Microfiber cloth
4- Squeegee
5- Olive oil

STEPS

STEP 1: Spray your glass shower door with vinegar generously and let it sit for two minutes.

STEP 2: Sprinkle some baking soda on the door and leave it for 15 minutes. The grime buildup will loosen.

STEP 3: Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the glass shower door removing the solution completely. Repeat this step if necessary.

STEP 4: Put olive oil or any oil of your choice on a cotton pad and rub it over the glass shower door. Do this until you cover every section of the glass. When the oil dries out on your cotton pad as you rub, put more.

STEP 5: Use a soft cloth to wipe the excess oil on the glass and you are done.

Note: Don’t ever use a pumice stone on glass shower doors as it leaves scratches.

Final Thoughts!

Brillo pads can be used on glass but one has to know how to use them to get results. Try not to apply too much pressure and always wet it before use.

The best way to care for your glass however is to avoid using abrasive cleaners or chemicals on them, including Brillo pads. If you clean regularly, your glass won’t have stubborn stains that require abrasives.

Constantly using Brillo pads on your glass may cause damage later on. Your glass may have scratches that will trap soap scum or grease and cause a faster buildup.

We have explained how to use Brillo pads on some specific types of glass and the alternatives to Brillo pads if that’s what you prefer.