How to Keep Your Home's Beautiful Glass Sparkling Clean
A few simple tools and tricks keep water spots and soapy film at bay
I live in a loft in Brooklyn, a recent transplant to Greenpoint (love my neighborhood!). I work as a freelance writer, blogger, stylist, gilder, and crafter. I curate a daily personal lifestyle blog called the Haystack Needle (http://www.thehaystackneedleonline.com). I'm also one half of the shop Cabin 7 (http://www.shopcabin7.com) — a collection of gilded objects for the home. 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 to scout cool finds for the home — everything from an amazing loveseat to a green laundry detergent that really works. I'm a new mama to our baby girl, Juniper, who amazes me every day with her curiosity for life and big smiles.
I live in a loft in Brooklyn, a recent transplant to Greenpoint (love my... More »
Glass is only as pretty (and functional) as 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, that is 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 of glass. Here are tips for how to clean the glass in your home, so you can see that sparkle shine.
by Melissa Davis
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Daily maintenance is the best way to battle soap scum in the shower. Wipe down the glass shower door using a squeegee — move from top to bottom.
If you notice water spots on your glass (even with regular upkeep), 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.
If you notice water spots on your glass (even with regular upkeep), 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.
by Habachy Designs
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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.) Clean off water spots using a mild glass cleaner.
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.) Clean off water spots using a mild glass cleaner.
by McLean Quinlan
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You may have heard the common homekeeping tip to pour boiling water down your drains to keep them in clear shape. Don't try this with a glass vessel sink, however — pouring boiling water on the sink can crack the glass.
by Urrutia Design
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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.
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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.
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Is the old wives' tale true that you should wash your windows on a cloudy day? It is a smart tip, because the sun can dry your glass cleaner faster than you can wipe it away (which only causes another problem — streaking.)
What tool is best for cleaning windows? You can use a cloth, papertowels, or newspaper, but a squeegee will make the job easier.
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 on your windows.
You'll want a squeegee that's the right size for your window panes, and 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.
Window frames and screens 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.
More: How to Care for Your Countertops
How to Give Your Laundry a Boost
What tool is best for cleaning windows? You can use a cloth, papertowels, or newspaper, but a squeegee will make the job easier.
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 on your windows.
You'll want a squeegee that's the right size for your window panes, and 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.
Window frames and screens 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.
More: How to Care for Your Countertops
How to Give Your Laundry a Boost
Ideabook published on Dec. 8, 2011.
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I use Flylady's purple rags (see Flylady.org and the 'shop') for cleaning glass. Absolutely streak-free and you don't need to use any cleanser at all, just water. Great if you have allergies or just don't want to spend money on window cleaner. I also use the purple rags to wipe my mirrors and sink and tiles quickly every morning to keep them gleaming and avoid a scum build-up. Great product.
http://biogreenclean.com
Now I Pledge almost everything. Even the faucets.
Vinegar is an acid and can cauterize natural stones. And marble is very sensitive against acid ! You have to be very carefully if you use vinegar. On the other hand vinegar is very effective and biodegradable and in most cases a gut and inexpensive solution. If the grout joints on a ceramic tile surface are very polluted, vinegar can definitively help to get it clean again. But caution, don't use it every week because it destroys little by little the binder (the cement) in the grout. Cement is alkaline.
The common homekeeping tip:
"pour boiling water down your drains to keep them in clear shape."
Don't do this ! Because the drains today mostly made from PVC/PVAc. The hot water will deform the drain and the gaskets under the heat. The result is a leaky drain!
Grout sealer is always the second choice and should be only a solution when the tile work is already done. Way better is to use from the beginning an the right grout and if it's necessary (e.g. kitchen back splashes) use grout enhancer instead of water to mix it. In some cases is epoxy resin the best solution.
Yes, vinegar is great for many things but it must be used cautiously especially with natural stone.
We always tell our clients to never spray directly onto glass or mirror. Instead wet the rag or cloth, then clean the glass or mirror. Any cleaning solution, whether vinegar, Windex or something else, can cause deterioration of the silicone, metal track or whatever else is securing your glass into place. When it comes to mirrors, the silver backing can delaminate over time which produces a dark grey discoloration near the edges.
You are not doing too much although if you don't use Windex but rather a more mild glass cleaner (like Method) you may be able to reapply your Rain-X much less frequently.
Yes, Rain-X is fine for indoor use, just make sure the bath is ventilated when using it.
Most likely the reason the Rain-X package states to use "outside" of auto glass is to ensure people do not apply it to the inside only and then wonder why it doesn't work on the outside :-)
Here's another tip about Rain-X, apply it to your mirrors and they will fog up much, much less.