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Get Glass Windows and Doors Gleaming Clean
Preserve a spotless view with these guidelines for keeping soap scum, hard water spots and dirt at bay on glass surfaces around the home
You've seen the gorgeous architectural photos of sparkling glass windows and doors on Houzz, and now you may be wondering how to get your own glass surfaces clean, gleaming and ready for their own close-up.
"Not all glass doors and windows are created equal," says interior designer Anne DeCocco. "There are many options in glass, and some require special care and cleaning. My main advice to clients is to read the glass installation literature and talk to the installer for specific care instructions, and do your part with daily maintenance."
Aside from that, these general tips and tricks will help keep your glass doors and windows sparkling and clean.
"Not all glass doors and windows are created equal," says interior designer Anne DeCocco. "There are many options in glass, and some require special care and cleaning. My main advice to clients is to read the glass installation literature and talk to the installer for specific care instructions, and do your part with daily maintenance."
Aside from that, these general tips and tricks will help keep your glass doors and windows sparkling and clean.
by Birdseye Design
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Shower Doors and Windows
The glass shower doors and windows in this Vermont residence provide unobstructed sightlines to surrounding scenery. Soap scum and hard water spots would blur the gorgeous vista.
For soap scum and film: DeCocco suggests using a product called Bioclean to remove soap scum and film, and a monthly Rain X application to maintain a streak-free shine.
For hard-to-remove water spots: If your shower is filled with water spots, try CLR, a tough cleaner that is still free of ammonia, phosphates and bleach. CLR's website recommends making a solution that's half water and half CLR; dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and apply.
Warning: CLR is a spot cleaner and will damage natural stone and marble, terrazzo, colored grout, painted and metallic glazed surfaces, and acrylic tubs, so use it carefully.
Stay away from: Abrasive cleansers.
The glass shower doors and windows in this Vermont residence provide unobstructed sightlines to surrounding scenery. Soap scum and hard water spots would blur the gorgeous vista.
For soap scum and film: DeCocco suggests using a product called Bioclean to remove soap scum and film, and a monthly Rain X application to maintain a streak-free shine.
For hard-to-remove water spots: If your shower is filled with water spots, try CLR, a tough cleaner that is still free of ammonia, phosphates and bleach. CLR's website recommends making a solution that's half water and half CLR; dip a microfiber cloth in the solution and apply.
Warning: CLR is a spot cleaner and will damage natural stone and marble, terrazzo, colored grout, painted and metallic glazed surfaces, and acrylic tubs, so use it carefully.
Stay away from: Abrasive cleansers.
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by RemodelWest
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| "Everyone should have a squeegee in the shower to use after bathing," DeCocco says. "Running the squeegee along the length of a shower door takes a few minutes but can help avoid unsightly glass." |
by Allen Bianchi
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Glass Panel Doors and Frameless Windows
Glass panel doors and frameless windows are a staple in contemporary homes. They're sleek and clean, let in plenty of natural light and blur the lines between the indoors and outdoors.
For dirt: Glass needs to be cleaned only when it looks dirty. DeCocco cautions that if your windows have a tint or protective film to prevent sun damage on furniture or glare, it's best to follow the manufacturer’s directions for cleaning. "My windows and panel doors take a spritz of any glass cleaner that I prefer, dried off with Bounty paper towels," she says. "I’m told that Bounty has less rough fiber in it, so it’s gentle on the film."
Stay away from: Products with abrasives and ammonia, says general contractor Richard Berry. "Also, make clear to whomever cleans the glass doors, mirrors and even windows that specific cleaners go with specific kinds of glass, as glass for things like panel doors usually has special care instructions. We find glass damaged over time because the cleaning service, housekeeper or even the kids use anything available."
Glass panel doors and frameless windows are a staple in contemporary homes. They're sleek and clean, let in plenty of natural light and blur the lines between the indoors and outdoors.
For dirt: Glass needs to be cleaned only when it looks dirty. DeCocco cautions that if your windows have a tint or protective film to prevent sun damage on furniture or glare, it's best to follow the manufacturer’s directions for cleaning. "My windows and panel doors take a spritz of any glass cleaner that I prefer, dried off with Bounty paper towels," she says. "I’m told that Bounty has less rough fiber in it, so it’s gentle on the film."
Stay away from: Products with abrasives and ammonia, says general contractor Richard Berry. "Also, make clear to whomever cleans the glass doors, mirrors and even windows that specific cleaners go with specific kinds of glass, as glass for things like panel doors usually has special care instructions. We find glass damaged over time because the cleaning service, housekeeper or even the kids use anything available."
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| Tinted Glass Windows and Doors Tinted glass windows and doors reduce glare and provide a layer of privacy in homes. But tinted glass surfaces are tricky because they are usually customized and installed with special-care instructions, so talk to your installer about cleaning and maintenance. It's best to test-clean a small section of window before continuing. For dirt and debris: Marvin Windows and Doors recommends cleaning from the top to the bottom with a water and soap solution. Immediately after, clean the surface with a microfiber cloth dipped in a mild window-washing solution. Remove the cleaning solution with a squeegee, taking care not to allow any metal surface of the cleaning equipment to touch the glass. Stay away from: Abrasive cleansers. Also, avoid cleaning tinted and coated glass surfaces in direct sunlight. |
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Frosted Glass
Frosted glass adds a layer of privacy and extra drama to any bathroom, making it a popular glass finish choice.
For daily cleaning: Contractor Berry says daily cleaning with a squeegee or a microfiber cloth and a mild glass cleaning solution is fine for frosted glass. "If the glass is good quality, daily cleaning should suffice. But stay away from cleaning the doors with newspaper; the ink of the newsprint will get on the glass," he says.
Stay away from: Abrasive cleansers. Always consult the glass installer and manufacturer for specific frosted glass cleaning instructions.
More:
The Glass Bathroom Wall: Love It or Leave It?
Material Choices: Translucent Glass Doors
Frosted glass adds a layer of privacy and extra drama to any bathroom, making it a popular glass finish choice.
For daily cleaning: Contractor Berry says daily cleaning with a squeegee or a microfiber cloth and a mild glass cleaning solution is fine for frosted glass. "If the glass is good quality, daily cleaning should suffice. But stay away from cleaning the doors with newspaper; the ink of the newsprint will get on the glass," he says.
Stay away from: Abrasive cleansers. Always consult the glass installer and manufacturer for specific frosted glass cleaning instructions.
More:
The Glass Bathroom Wall: Love It or Leave It?
Material Choices: Translucent Glass Doors
Ideabook published on April 28, 2012.
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1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 TBSP cornstarch (I know who would have ever thought)
2 cups warm water
Combine everything in a spray bottle and shake well. Shake well before each use as the cornstarch might settle to the bottom of the spray bottle.
Really? Who has enough time to wash windows every day? LOL! Give me that person's life!
I have found "Scrubbing Bubbles" to be my very best glass cleaner I have ever used to keep my shower glass clean and looking new. I spray the shower about 5 minutes before I get in for my shower, use a very soft damp cloth to work in the bubbles, then I rinse off using my hand shower that I have the ability to set on MIST/STEAM. I put the water on the hottest it gets and slowly steam the glass. I then take my shower and when finished squeegee the glass, wiping the metal and edge of the glass off with my towel. YOU MUST squeegee every time. I don't have a softener either. I have hard water which keeps my cleaning of the glass to be a challenge. Having a water softener would be half the battle. Good luck and I love your site. There are so many great ideas for all areas. Keep up the good work.
Mr Bill
P.s. I do this about once every couple of months otherwise I just squeegee every shower, that's a must as I said
I use a little white vinegar in warm water. For large glass doors, mirrors and the plexi panels on my balcony, I sponge it on, squeegy it off, polish with newspapers.
My shower is my downfall. I have not kept it up, and now I'll have to really work to get rid of the water spots. Argh.