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.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Cleaning Glass Windows

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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
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. ^{[1]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jon Gholian
  Cleaning Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 19 April 2021}
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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. ^{[2]
X
Expert Source

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 19 April 2021} 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
Wipe off the glass. ^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 19 April 2021} 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. ^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jon Gholian
  Cleaning Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 19 April 2021}
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.
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.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Washing Oven Glass

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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. ^{[5]
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Research source}
^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Marcus Shields
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.} 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. ^{[7]
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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. ^{[8]
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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. ^{[9]
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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. ^{[10]
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Research source}
- You can also use an abrasive pad that's specifically made for glass. ^{[11]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Marcus Shields
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Cleaning Auto Glass

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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. ^{[12]
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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. ^{[13]
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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. ^{[14]
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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. ^{[15]
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If you have tinted windows, use the glass cleaner only where the tint is visible. ^{[16]
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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. ^{[17]
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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. ^{[18]
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Expert Source

Marcus Shields
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.}

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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

[1]

Expert Source

Jon Gholian
Cleaning Specialist

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

Marcus Shields
House Cleaning Professional

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

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How to Clean Glass

Steps

Cleaning Glass Windows

Washing Oven Glass

Cleaning Auto Glass

Expert Q&A

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Tips

Warnings

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