Today, we’re sharing all of our professional tips on the dos and don’ts of cleaning glass and windows.
Spring is here! As more and more sunlight shines through your windows and onto the other glass surfaces in your home or business, you’ve probably noticed they could use a bit of cleaning.
The glass surfaces in your home or business help your space look modern and updated; however, they require extra care and maintenance. Despite the additional time and effort it takes, getting your glass and windows to shine is relatively simple, as long as you implement a few insider tips and tricks.
Below, you’ll find our tried and true list of the dos and don’ts of cleaning windows and the other glass surfaces in your home. Continue reading to learn more.
The Dos of Cleaning Glass and Windows
Do Use Distilled Water— Not all water is the same. The unfortunate truth is that the stuff coming out of your tap varies significantly from place to place. When cleaning your floors, tubs, or countertops, this isn’t a huge deal. But glass shows every tiny imperfection, and any impurities from your water are very apparent.
Unless your property has a water softener, you’re left to use hard water, which has a much higher concentration of minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which will almost guarantee unsightly streaks. So, instead of mixing your cleaner of choice with water from your tap, consider using distilled water that doesn’t contain all those minerals.
Do Use Vinegar — There are countless glass cleaners on the market today, so choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. But it’s important to understand that not all of them are created equally! If you don’t want to stress out about which cleaner to purchase, you can opt to use a homemade mixture using water and vinegar.
Vinegar is a staple in most homes. But did you know that it’s just as good on the glass surfaces in your house as it is on your salad? And the best part is that it costs next to nothing. White distilled vinegar is an all-natural, all-purpose ingredient safe to use around pets and kids. And don’t worry— the smell fades away after a few minutes and is completely undetectable.
So, if you’re out of your standard glass cleaner or are looking for a “greener” approach to cleaning, a water and vinegar mixture can work wonders on your mirrors, windows, and other glass surfaces. Mix one part of warm distilled water with white vinegar in a reusable spray bottle and then just spritz and clean as usual.
Do Clean All of the Window Components — Your windows are constantly exposed to the sun, wind, snow, and other elements. Regular washing is an essential part of window maintenance that helps ensure that your windows continue to work correctly. If you don’t clean all the parts of your windows, dirt and debris will build up in the window track over time and make using your window challenging. Even worse, accumulated and left-on grime can permanently stain and damage your windows.
When cleaning your windows, clean all of their components, not just the glass. Don’t forget the track, screen, and windowsill. For the best results, take off your screens to clean them and clean both the inside and the outside of the glass.
The Don’ts of Cleaning Glass and Windows
Don’t Clean the Windows on a Hot or Sunny Day — Cleaning your windows on a warm and sunny day may sound ideal, but it can make your windows prone to streaking. High temperatures will make your windows dry faster before you have time to wipe them clean. Instead, wash your windows on an overcast day with no chance of rain.
Don’t Use Newspapers or Paper Towels to Clean Glass — Newspapers became the go-to glass-cleaning material because they were cheap and accessible, and they didn’t leave fuzz or lint trails, unlike other cloths.
However, there are better options available today, such as microfiber towels. Newspapers don’t do a great job of absorbing fluid, and the ink can result in streaks all over your glass. Newspapers are best used for reading and as packing material!
Don’t use paper towels on your windows and glass, either! Like newspapers, paper towels have no place in cleaning glass. Using paper towels on your windows and other glass surfaces results in lint-spotted streaks.
Don’t Try to Clean All Your Glass At Once — Cleaning your glass and windows is an essential step of their maintenance which can feel overwhelming— especially if your property has a lot of glass features and windows.
Instead of trying to tackle every single window and glass surface in one day or weekend, split the chore up into two or three days. In addition to making the job more doable, splitting it up will help you ensure your windows and glass elements are getting clean— something that is difficult to do when you are cleaning into the night!
Don’t Use Soap — Soap and detergents are great for cleaning dishes, clothes, and yourself; however, they are not great for cleaning glass. Soap will typically leave your glass covered in a streaky residue. If you must use soap to cut through grease and grime, be sparing with how much you use— a little bit goes a long way.
Contact New Concepts Glass Design to Learn More
For more information and advice about cleaning glass and windows and all of your glass project needs, contact the professionals at New Concepts Glass Design.
With over three decades of industry experience, our experts can help your glass visions come to life, whether you want to upgrade your shower doors, install a glass wine cellar or glass handrails in your home, or have another custom project in mind.
As Utah’s leading glass company, we are proud to be the go-to for custom glass projects in Salt Lake City, Park City, and neighboring cities in Utah. Contact us for your free estimate today.