How to Clean the Glass in Your Home
Get the glass throughout your home sparkling with these simple streak-free tips
Jen L'Italien
3 July 2014
Houzz Contributor. Stylist, creative consultant and writer living in Maine with my family. I spend most of my days reading storybooks and running after my two toddlers, Juniper and Leo. I started out in magazines, working in the home department of Real Simple magazine and later worked as the home editor of Redbook. I love checking out the antique stores up here whenever I have free time.
Houzz Contributor. Stylist, creative consultant and writer living in Maine with my... More
Glass is only pretty (and functional) when it is clear. Glass vessel sinks sit pretty in a bathroom, but only if they’re not smudged with fingerprints. Glass shower doors make even teeny bathrooms appear larger, if they’re not coated in soap scum. And the gorgeous windows in your living room will not let in as much sunlight if there’s a film of dirt clouding the panes. Here are some tips for how to clean the glass in your home – until it sparkles!
Make regular upkeep a habit
Daily maintenance is the best way to battle soap scum in the shower. Wipe down the glass shower door using a squeegee – moving from top to bottom.
If you notice water spots on your glass, your system may have very hard water that’s leaving behind deposits of minerals. Consider installing a water softener or you’ll continue to battle your hard water.
Daily maintenance is the best way to battle soap scum in the shower. Wipe down the glass shower door using a squeegee – moving from top to bottom.
If you notice water spots on your glass, your system may have very hard water that’s leaving behind deposits of minerals. Consider installing a water softener or you’ll continue to battle your hard water.
Avoid abrasive cleaners
Glass vessel sinks are beautiful and definitely attract attention, but they’re also delicate. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scouring pads, which can scratch the glass surface.
The best way to prevent water spots on a glass sink: wipe the sink dry after every use. Of course, that’s too much work for most of us, so clean off water spots using a mild glass cleaner.
Glass vessel sinks are beautiful and definitely attract attention, but they’re also delicate. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scouring pads, which can scratch the glass surface.
The best way to prevent water spots on a glass sink: wipe the sink dry after every use. Of course, that’s too much work for most of us, so clean off water spots using a mild glass cleaner.
Take care with boiling water
You may have heard the common housekeeping tip of pouring boiling water down your drains to keep them in good shape. Don’t try this with a glass vessel sink, however – pouring boiling water on the sink can crack the glass.
You may have heard the common housekeeping tip of pouring boiling water down your drains to keep them in good shape. Don’t try this with a glass vessel sink, however – pouring boiling water on the sink can crack the glass.
Gently does it
The toughest cleaners are not always the best cleaners for the job. Avoid chlorine bleach-based cleaners on your glass shower doors and metal frames – these cleaners can damage the finish.
The toughest cleaners are not always the best cleaners for the job. Avoid chlorine bleach-based cleaners on your glass shower doors and metal frames – these cleaners can damage the finish.
What cleaning solutions are best?
Any glass window cleaner will do the job. Some professional window cleaners swear by using a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a bucket of warm water as a window-washing solution – the dishwashing liquid cuts through any grease.
A white vinegar solution will help clear up a hazy film of soap scum. Dampen a cloth with white vinegar and move from top to bottom on your glass shower door. Then rinse thoroughly with your shower spray.
Any glass window cleaner will do the job. Some professional window cleaners swear by using a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a bucket of warm water as a window-washing solution – the dishwashing liquid cuts through any grease.
A white vinegar solution will help clear up a hazy film of soap scum. Dampen a cloth with white vinegar and move from top to bottom on your glass shower door. Then rinse thoroughly with your shower spray.
Clean on cooler days
Is the old wives’ tale true that you should wash your windows on a cloudy day? It is actually a smart tip, because the sun can dry your glass cleaner faster than you can wipe it away, which only causes another problem – streaking.
Which tools are best for cleaning?
You can use a cloth, paper towels or newspaper, but a squeegee will make the job easier.
You’ll want a squeegee that’s the right size for your window panes, so you may want to stock up on a few different sizes of squeegee blades to clean all your windows. A larger squeegee blade is best for the bigger windows in your house – it will save you time.
What about window frames and screens?
These can get super dirty. It’s best to wash them before you clean your windows. Your windows will stay clean longer if they’re surrounded by clean frames and screens.
Is the old wives’ tale true that you should wash your windows on a cloudy day? It is actually a smart tip, because the sun can dry your glass cleaner faster than you can wipe it away, which only causes another problem – streaking.
Which tools are best for cleaning?
You can use a cloth, paper towels or newspaper, but a squeegee will make the job easier.
You’ll want a squeegee that’s the right size for your window panes, so you may want to stock up on a few different sizes of squeegee blades to clean all your windows. A larger squeegee blade is best for the bigger windows in your house – it will save you time.
What about window frames and screens?
These can get super dirty. It’s best to wash them before you clean your windows. Your windows will stay clean longer if they’re surrounded by clean frames and screens.
What are you working on?
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Use a ceramic stovetop cleaner. It’s non-abrasive and takes very little elbow grease. Let the cleaner do the work for you. No need to press hard. A little goes a long way! I use it on my clear glass shower doors and when I finish I can barely see the glass. Makes it so clear. It really does a marvelous job.
Thanks for all the great info
Window Cleaning & Washing Service Los Angeles
Thank you for including the tip on washing your windows on a cloudy day. Makes the job much easier. Of course, that's harder to do in our area when we do <a href="https://www.longbeachwindowcleaners.com/window-cleaning.html">window cleaning in long beach</a> where it's always sunny. Ha!