7 Cleaning Tricks to Keep Your Glass Sparkling
Keeping glass clean in the home can be a challenge if you don't have the right tools and methods to get windows and mirrors streak-free. Cleaning glass is an art and a science in itself - from the direction you wipe away dirt to the type of material you use to clean glass. Below, learn the tricks you can use to keep your home's glass clear and shiny inside and out.
1. Clean from top to bottom
If you really want your window or mirror to be streak-free, clean from the top down. Since the cleaning solution can drip, use gravity to your advantage and let the cleaner drip into areas you haven't washed yet. Start at the top and work your way down to make sure no drips get on the glass surfaces that have already been perfectly cleaned.
2. Wash the windows on a cloudy day
You might think that the opposite should be true, since you can see the dirt on the glass better when the sun is out. However, the sun can dry the window washing fluid prematurely and leave residue and streaks. If you wait for a cloudy day to wash your windows, the cleaning solution will stay until you wipe it off, leaving you with a bright, streak-free shine.
3. Use a squeegee
It's amazing what a difference this simple tool makes on glass surfaces. Sometimes the first wipe with a cloth isn't enough to remove all the cleaning solution, and re-wiping glass surfaces is a guarantee that you'll leave streaks behind. A squeegee, on the other hand, makes it effortless to polish every area of the window. A long-handled squeegee is a must if you want to clean high windows.
4. Clean corners with cotton swabs
No matter how hard you try, residue seems to collect in the corners of the glass, and it can be very difficult to get to that residue if you don't have the right tools. Cotton swabs are ideal for cleaning the hard to reach areas of the windows in your home. They're the perfect size and do a great job!
5. Reuse an old t-shirt
Old t-shirts are ideal for cleaning glass because they leave no lint residue and are just absorbent enough to get a window clean. Plus, using old T-shirts instead of paper towels is a great way to save on household costs - and good for the environment.
6. Try homemade window cleaner
Sometimes homemade solutions do the best job, are less expensive and don't contain unknown chemicals. To make your own glass cleaner, mix together 1 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar will give you a fast-evaporating spray glass and mirror cleaner that can rival shop-brand products. This cleaner can also be used to give hard tile, chrome and other surfaces a nice shine.
7. Use newspapers
Some people swear by newspapers to polish their glass surfaces. It works and can work well, but many people don't like getting newspaper on their hands. Plus, newspaper doesn't hold up very well when it gets wet. But if you find that towels and rags just aren't right for you, newspaper is worth a try. And if you're happy with the look of the glass but not your hands, you can just wear gloves!