It’s one thing to have beautiful glass doors and windows but quite another to clean them. If you’re looking for advice on how to clean glass doors and windows, we’ve put together a list of tips and tricks to help, so you and your family can continue to enjoy them, free from streaks and sticky fingerprints!
Be sure to cover the area around the windows and doors – including the sill, floor, and any nearby furniture – with rags or newspapers. This will protect any delicate fabrics from damage from the cleaning products, and make cleaning up any spills a breeze!
You’ll also want to minimise the amount of dirt and grime you need to tackle. You can do this by wiping the glass over with a clean, wet rag, and letting dry fully before getting stuck into the big clean. If you’ve got a handheld vacuum, you can also get right into the nooks and crannies around the windows and doors too.
If it’s a big job, you might need back-up – especially if you’ll need to pop any sliding windows or doors off their rails. Someone to help with the heavy lifting and to make sure the glass is safely back in place is an absolute must!
Before diving in, check the weather! A sunny day might seem like the perfect time to clean your doors and windows, but the heat from the sun can dry out any cleaning products, leaving streaks on the glass. It’s also easier to see dirt and grime on a cloudier day.
There’s no shortage of great cleaning products on the market, and for big jobs or for the sake of convenience this might be the best option for you. But if you’re looking for a natural, homemade solution, you’ll find no end of suggestions online. They’re usually a simple blend of vinegar and water, and you can even add in a few drops of essential oils, such as lavender, to take the edge of that sharp vinegar smell.
Grandpa might swear by newspapers – and if you don’t mind newsprint on your fingers, you might too – but we recommend microfibre cloths. If you’re looking for an easy way to save money, an old t-shirt will work great too. A squeegee is also a must for a streak-free finish, especially on larger windows and doors.
If you’re into your gadgets, window vacs are a great way to go. Squeegee attachments can be added for the clean itself, and then any excess water can simply be vacuumed away!
If you’re cleaning sliding doors and windows, the rails will definitely need some attention. Crack out that handheld vacuum to pick up any debris and follow it up with a good brush out. You can also add some lubricant to keep things sliding along nicely.
You will also want to clean the frame and handles. A cloth, soapy water, and a little disinfectant should be able to manage this just fine, but – as with the rails – we’d recommend doing this before you start on the glass, to minimise the amount of dirt in the area.
Give the glass a good spray with your chosen solution. You might want to let it sit a little while to loosen up any tough grime.
When cleaning begins, start at the top and work your way down. Cleaning solutions will, naturally, drip down, so let them get to work on areas you’ve haven’t already cleaned, rather than add streaks to those you’ve already finished.
You might need to repeat this process a few times, so have a few clean cloths or t-shirts to hand. And remember, there’s a whole other side to the window that will need cleaning too!
If you’re looking for beautiful glass windows and doors, the team right here at Prestige Wrought Iron can help. You can find out more about our range of glass doors & windows, or you can reach out for a free consultation.
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