Want your glass surfaces to sparkle? If you can’t get glass clean, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, all too many people find this household task difficult. But, it doesn’t have to be. We’ve got all the information you need to get rid of those pesky smudges and streaks.
1. Use an old t-shirt
First things first, you need to find a suitable material to use. While plenty of fancy fabrics are out there, you might already have what you need. Grabbing an old t-shirt (preferably one you don’t need anymore) could be the way to go. These clothing items tend to be the right level of absorbent to get those problematic streaks out of the glass.
You can use window polish directly on the glass and then use the t-shirt to wipe it off. First, find a t-shirt you are willing to use as a rag. Then, when you’ve done that, you can try it on the window. You might find that some tees are better than others. For example, you might find that shirts with a blend of cotton and other fabrics help you get the job done.
2. Make your own glass cleaner
When you’re looking for the best thing to clean glass with, there are plenty of products out there. However, many of the premium brands can be extremely expensive. To save some pennies, you can make your own cleaner home. This hack is ideal if you want to use up old products and already have a cupboard full of stuff.
You will need some water, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol to get started. First, mix the water and rubbing alcohol in roughly equal measures. Ideally, you should add one cup of alcohol to one cup of water. Once you have done that, add around one tablespoon of vinegar to the mix. Next, shake (or stir) well to combine the cleaner. You can then put it in a spray bottle and use it when cleaning windows or any glass surface.
3. Clean from the top down
When cleaning a mirror or window, one of the most important things to remember is that you should go from the top downwards. The reason is simple. When you’re using products, you will find that they drip down. That’s bad news if you are cleaning from the bottom upwards. You might find that you end up with streaks on the glass that you cannot get out — no matter how hard you try. Forgetting to go from the top downwards is one of the biggest mistakes we see people make when cleaning glass.
For that reason, one of the most effective glass cleaning tips you will hear is to start at the top and work your way down. Then, you can spray the product or cleaner directly onto the glass. When you’ve done that, use a cloth or squeegee to move down the glass smoothly. The quicker you act when using the product, the easier this will be.
4. Invest in a squeegee
Are you looking to clean glass like a professional? There’s an easy way to get it right. Investing your money in a squeegee could make all the difference. These tools have a rubber edge and an easy-to-use handle. That means that you can quickly get marks and streaks out of glass. When cleaning your windows or other glass products, you can start by using a cloth (or — as we have already mentioned — a t-shirt!). That will help you get the dirt and grime off the glass in seconds. It’s an excellent place to start.
However, if you want to ensure that your cleaning is 100% thorough, you should use the squeegee to finish it. When you do that, you will see that the glass looks clean and streak-free. The approach you use should be the same as before: Start from the top with the squeegee and work your way down the window. As you do so, you will see that the streaks and marks start to disappear instantly. Use this product every single time.
5. Get into the corners with cotton buds
When you have cleaned most of the glass on your windows, the next step is to get into the corners. Unfortunately, many people find this part of the cleaning process stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! There’s a simple tool that you probably already have in the home that you can use. Grab some cotton buds from the bathroom and get to work. The fact that these buds are tiny and absorbent at the same time will make all the difference in how they clean.
You can use cotton buds to get into the corners of your windows and clean out any dirt. When cleaning windows, you will often find that the product or cleaner bunches up in the corners. As it runs down the panes of glass, it has nowhere else to go. That means you can end up with marks that are hard to get out (unless you know how to!). With cotton buds on hand, you can ensure you get every last spot.
6. Crumple up newspaper
The truth is that you don’t need fancy products to clean your glass. You may already have the best material to clean glass in your living room. For example, if you have an old newspaper, you can crumple it up and use it as a rag. While you may not realise it, this material tends to be absorbent and easy to use. Make sure that there are no sharp edges when you crumple up the paper, or they could be an issue.
When you have done that, use your chosen product on the window or glass. Use the newspaper to mop up the residue from the cleaner. You should use a fast and firm motion to get this right. Be quick when you are wiping away the product. If you want the glass to be streak-free, you need to ensure that you get the marks before they start to form.
Mistakes to avoid when cleaning glass
Now that you understand some of the best ways to clean glass in your home, let’s talk about what you shouldn’t do. Believe it or not, many people make significant mistakes when trying to clean glass. That is why so many of us find that we have marks, smudges, and streaks on our glass surfaces at home. Here are some mistakes to avoid:
● Spraying the cleaner on top of the dirt
You might think that the first step in cleaning glass is to spray the cleaner. Wrong! You should wipe the surface before you do that to get rid of any dirt or grime. That way, you have a better chance of making the glass surface clean and streak-free.
● Cleaning on a warm and sunny day
While this may seem like an odd mistake, it’s one that you need to avoid. If you clean your windows (or glass surfaces) on a sunny day, you may find that the product dries faster than you can wipe it away. That is a surefire way to make the glass look streaky.
● Not using enough cleaner
Don’t be stingy when it comes to using your product. For example, you need to use a lot of cleaner when washing your windows. If you find a layer of dirt on the windows, you will need to use a load of cleaner to get the stuff off.
Q&A
Need some more answers? Don’t panic. We’ve got your back. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about this topic:
How do I clean glass without streaks?
As we have covered, using a squeegee is a simple way to eliminate the streaks in your glass. You should also avoid cleaning the glass on a hot day, so the product doesn’t dry too fast.
Does vinegar clean glass?
Yes, but not on its own. Using water, rubbing alcohol, and vinegar, you can make a homemade cleaner. It takes a matter of seconds to whip up this product. So, why not try it yourself and see what results you get?
How can you clean glass naturally?
If you’re looking for a natural glass cleaner, you can use half vinegar and half water. Once again, you should put this solution into a spray bottle. You can use it with a cloth, squeegee, or even newspaper. The choice is 100% yours!
Does vinegar harm glass?
The short answer is no. However, you want to avoid rubbing the vinegar-based solution onto any rubber or plastic. You may find that the solution's acidity can start eroding these materials. So take extra care when cleaning your windows.
What type of glass are you trying to clean? Let us know in the comments below.
Leave a Reply