How to Clean Glass

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Co-authored by Jon Gholian

Last Updated: August 25, 2024 References

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Glass is present in many parts of daily life, and it can look beautiful when sparkling clean. Unfortunately, glass gets dirty very quickly, and it is obvious when glass is not clean. Luckily, it is usually not very difficult to clean glass. Whether you’re cleaning windows, oven glass, or auto glass, there are several easy ways to restore it to a spotless and clear condition.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Glass Windows

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1. 1
   Lay towels on the windowsills. You don’t want the windowsills to get wet with the cleaning solution, especially if they are made of wood. Protect the windowsills by laying towels down over them. Make sure none of the windowsill is left exposed.
2. 
   2
   Mix vinegar and water to make a cleaning solution. Use four parts water and one-part white vinegar. Pour the water and vinegar in a bowl. You can pour the solution in a spray bottle if you wish to spray it onto the glass surface.

   • You can replace the white vinegar for a few drops of liquid dish soap, if you want.
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3. 
   3
   Dip the cloth into the cleaning solution. You can use a cotton cloth, microfiber towel, or even a newspaper to wipe down the glass, but a softer cloth is always the better option. Dip the cloth into the mixture. Or, you can spray the cleaning solution onto the cloth. Wring out the excess fluid.

   • Spray the cleaning solution directly onto the glass if you are cleaning a large area.
4. 
   4
   Wipe off the glass. Begin by wiping the glass in circular motions. Then, wipe the glass with vertical strokes. After that, use horizontal strokes to clean the glass.

   • Dry the glass using a lint free towel or newspaper as an alternative.
5. 
   5
   Clean the corners with a cotton swab. You can use a cotton swab, or an old, soft toothbrush to clean the corners of the glass window. Dip the cotton swab or toothbrush into the cleaning solution. Scrub the corners of the glass where dirt or dust may have gathered.
6. 
   6
   Buff the glass. You can use an old T-shirt, newspaper, or even cloth diapers to buff the glass. Rub the glass with your chosen object until it is dry and shiny.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Washing Oven Glass

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1. 
   1
   Clean out the crumbs. Begin by cleaning off the crumbs and other debris that may have accumulated on the oven glass. You can use a moistened cloth to loosen and pick up the crumbs. Or, you can use a vacuum attachment.
2. 
   2
   Create a paste with baking soda and water. Pour a half or full cup of baking soda into a bowl. Add in only enough water to create a paste that resembles the consistency of shaving cream. Spread the paste over the oven glass. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes.
3. 
   3
   Scrub the glass. Use a dampened rag or microfiber cloth. Scrub the glass until it becomes clean. You may have to scrub firmly for tough grime and debris.
4. 
   4
   Rinse and dry off the baking soda mixture. Rinse the glass off with water. You can use a wet cloth to do this. Make sure all of the baking soda has been washed off. Use a dry cloth to dry the glass.
5. 
   5
   Use a razor to remove grease stains. If any tough spots are left, you can remove them with a razor. Gently scrape the spot with the razor. Make sure not to exert too much pressure, or you may scratch the glass. Once all of the remaining spots have been removed, wipe off or vacuum up the debris.

   • You can also use an abrasive pad that's specifically made for glass.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cleaning Auto Glass

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1. 1
   Use a glass-cleaning microfiber towel. You can find one online or at many auto parts stores. You can use a regular cloth, but it will probably not clean the glass as well as the glass-cleaning microfiber towel.
2. 
   2
   Clean the glass with the damp towel. Dampen the microfiber towel with water. You don't need to use a cleaning solution if you're using a glass-cleaning microfiber towel. Wipe down the glass until it becomes clean. You may have to scrub for dead bugs or other tough spots.
3. 
   3
   Dry and buff the glass. Flip the towel over when you are finished cleaning off the glass. It should be dry on the unused side. Buff the glass until it becomes completely dry.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  What's the easiest way to clean oven glass?

  

  Marcus Shields
  House Cleaning Professional

  Marcus is the owner of Maid Easy, a local residential cleaning company in Phoenix, Arizona. His cleaning roots date back to his grandmother who cleaned homes for valley residents in the 60’s through the 70’s. After working in tech for over a decade, he came back to the cleaning industry and opened Maid Easy to pass his family’s tried and true methods to home dwellers across the Phoenix Metro Area.

  

  Marcus Shields

  House Cleaning Professional

  Expert Answer

  Spread a mixture of baking soda and warm water on the oven glass and let it sit for 10–20 minutes before wiping it clean.

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• Question

  What is the best cleaner for hard water stains on glass?

  

  Cleanzen Cleaning Services
  Residential Cleaning Specialists

  Cleanzen Cleaning Services is an organization consisting of Residential Cleaning Specialists based in Boston, MA. The Cleanzen Cleaning Services Team consists of Residential Cleaning Specialists. With more than six years of experience, they specialize in connecting independent cleaning professionals with those who need help cleaning their houses. All of Cleanzen’s professionals are experienced and licensed and have passed background checks.

  

  Cleanzen Cleaning Services

  Residential Cleaning Specialists

  Expert Answer

  Using a spray bottle, spritz pure white vinegar directly on the stain. After 15 minutes, use a toothbrush to gently rub away the deposits. Rinse the area with water after the stain is removed.

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Tips

• Use distilled water when cleaning glass. Tap water can leave mineral streaks.
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• If you have tinted windows, use the glass cleaner only where the tint is visible.
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• If cleaning tempered glass, such as that on a phone screen, use only non-abrasive cleaners that won't scratch the glass surface.
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Warnings

• Glass cleaners often contain ammonia, which can produce fumes that are dangerous to inhale. Avoid glass cleaning products that contain ammonia.
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• Avoid using the self-clean feature on your oven to clean the glass since it could make a smoke or fire hazard.
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Things You’ll Need

• Towels
• White vinegar
• Cloth
• Cotton swab
• Newspaper or old T-shirt
• Baking soda
• Razor
• Glass-cleaning microfiber towel