Glass Cleaning Made Easy: 7 Glass Cleaning Tips From the Pros

Keeping glass clean at home can be a real challenge, especially if you have kids or cook often. One minute, your glass stove top or kitchen windows look great; the next minute, they are clouded with grease and fingerprints. Glass cleaning time, anyone?

In this article, we share the best glass cleaning methods used by professional home cleaners. We have seven glass cleaning tips for every type of glass surface, plus detailed instructions on how to best clean window glass, shower glass, oven doors, and glass stovetops. 

Supplies you’ll need 

• White vinegar
• A non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth
• Squeegee
• Microfiber cloth or lint-free towel
• Baking soda (optional)
• Spray bottle (if using vinegar)

Seven glass cleaning tips from the pros

In a minute, we’ll share glass cleaning methods for each specific surface. But first, here are our top tips for keeping any type of glass clean. 

1. Use the right tools

Professional window cleaners typically use a squeegee, a soft scrubber or sponge, a lint-free cloth, a bucket, and a window cleaning solution. A good quality squeegee helps you achieve streak-free results, while a scrubber or sponge removes dirt and grime.

2. Choose an appropriate cleaning solution

Professionals often use a mixture of water and dish soap or a commercial window cleaning solution. However, you can also create a homemade solution by mixing one part white vinegar with ten parts water. This helps break down dirt and grease without leaving streaks.

3. Clean on a cloudy day

Direct sunlight can cause the cleaning solution to dry too quickly, leading to streaks and residue. Cleaning on a cloudy day or in the shade gives you more time to work with the solution and achieve better results.

4. Start at the top

Begin by cleaning the highest windows and work your way down. This prevents dirty water from dripping onto the windows you've already cleaned.

5. Use the S-method

Dip the scrubber or sponge into the cleaning solution and then apply it to the window using an S-shaped pattern. Start at the top left corner and work your way down. This prevents streaks and helps distribute the cleaning solution evenly. 

6. Wipe the squeegee blade

After cleaning with the squeegee, wipe the blade with a lint-free cloth to remove excess water and dirt. This prevents streaks and ensures a clean swipe on the next pass.

7. Dry the window edges

Use a lint-free cloth or microfiber towel to dry the edges and corners of the window. This will help prevent watermarks or mold growth and ensure a clean, professional finish.

Cleaning shower glass

Follow these steps to clean your shower glass. 

Prepare the cleaning solution

Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle for your cleaning solution. 

Vinegar is a cheap and effective household cleaner with built-in antimicrobial properties. Its acidity temporarily reduces scum accumulation on your shower glass.

Apply the cleaning solution

Spray the vinegar solution generously onto the shower glass. Allow it to sit for a few minutes to break down soap scum and mineral deposits. 

If there is heavy buildup, make a paste of baking soda and water and gently apply it to the glass using a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth. Let the paste sit for a few minutes before moving to the next step.

Scrub the shower glass

Gently scrub the glass with a sponge or soft cloth, working in circular motions. Pay special attention to areas with heavy soap scum or hard water stains. Be careful not to scratch the glass.

Rinse the shower glass

Use the showerhead or a bucket of water to rinse the glass thoroughly, ensuring you wash away all the cleaning solution.

Squeegee the glass

Starting at the top corner of the glass, use the squeegee to remove water from the surface in a downward motion. Overlap each stroke slightly to prevent streaks. Wipe the squeegee blade with a microfiber cloth or lint-free towel after each pass.

Dry the glass

Use a microfiber cloth or lint-free towel to dry any remaining water droplets on the glass. Make sure to dry the edges and corners as well to prevent watermarks and streaks.

Learn more: How Do Hotels Keep Glass Shower Doors Clean?

Cleaning oven door glass

Cleaning oven door glass is possible, even if your oven is greasy. Follow these steps for cleaning your glass oven door.

Prepare the cleaning paste

Mix enough baking soda and water in a small bowl to form a thick, spreadable paste. The consistency should be similar to your toothpaste at home.

Protect your kitchen floor

Place an old towel or newspaper on the floor beneath the oven door to catch any debris or dripping paste during cleaning.

Apply the baking soda paste

Spread a generous layer of the baking soda paste onto the oven door glass, focusing on areas with heavy buildup or stains. Allow the paste to sit on the glass for at least 15 minutes or up to a few hours for tougher stains.

Scrub the oven door glass

Lightly spray the baking soda paste with water to moisten it, then gently scrub the glass with a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth, working in circular motions. 

Wipe away the paste

Use a damp cloth or sponge to remove the baking soda paste from the oven door glass. Rinse the cloth or sponge in clean water after each pass to prevent reapplying the paste to the glass. 

Dry and buff the glass

Finally, dry the oven door glass with a fresh microfiber cloth or lint-free towel. Buff the glass in circular motions to remove any streaks and achieve a clean, shiny finish.

For additional information on oven cleaning, read our article on How to Self Clean Your Oven in 5 Easy Steps.

Cleaning glass stove tops

Here’s how the pros clean glass stove tops. 

Allow the stove to cool

Ensure the glass stove top is completely cool before you start cleaning. Cleaning a hot surface can be dangerous and may cause cleaning products to evaporate too quickly, leaving streaks or residue.

Remove loose debris

Use a dry cloth or paper towel to remove any loose crumbs or debris from the stove top. You can also squirt some dish soap on a damp cloth and use it to wipe your glass stove top. This will help to prevent scratches during the cleaning process.

Apply a glass stove top cleaner

Next, mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda in a plastic bowl to form a paste. Then spread the paste with a cloth across your glass stove top, paying more attention to areas with stubborn stains.

Let the cleaner sit

Allow the cleaner to sit for 15 minutes or more, depending on the stubbornness of the stains. This will help loosen grease buildup and break down burnt-on food and stains.

Scrub the stove top

Use a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth to gently scrub the stove top in circular motions. Pay special attention to areas with heavy buildup or stains, and be careful not to apply excessive pressure, as this can scratch the glass surface.

Remove the cleaner

Wipe away the cleaner and any debris with a damp cloth or sponge. Rinse the cloth or sponge frequently in clean water to ensure all the cleaner is removed from the stove top.

Buff and dry the stove top

Use a microfiber cloth or lint-free towel to dry and buff the stove top. This will help remove any streaks or residue and leave the surface looking clean and shiny.

To read more methods of cleaning glass stove tops, read our article on 3 easy ways to clean a glass stovetop.

Cleaning window glass

Clean window glass with these steps. 

Gather your tools

Start by gathering a squeegee, a soft scrubber or sponge, a lint-free cloth, a bucket, and dish soap. Using the right tools will help you achieve a streak-free and professional result.

Create a cleaning solution

Fill a bucket with warm water and add a few drops of dish soap. Mix the solution until it is slightly sudsy. The dish soap will help break down dirt and grease on the window glass without leaving streaks.

Use a scrubber or sponge

Dip the soft scrubber or sponge into the soapy water and wring out the excess so it’s damp but not dripping. Apply the dampened scrubber or sponge to the window glass in an S-shaped pattern, starting from the top left corner and moving downwards. 

Squeegee the glass

Starting at the top corner of the glass, use the squeegee to remove the soapy water in a downward motion. Overlap each stroke slightly to prevent streaks. Wipe the squeegee blade with a lint-free cloth to remove excess water and dirt after each pass.

Remove moisture from edges

Use a microfiber cloth or lint-free towel to remove any remaining water from the window glass's corners and edges. This step helps avoid water stains and mold growth.

What is self-cleaning glass?

Self-cleaning glass is treated with a special coating that breaks down organic dirt and reduces the need for manual cleaning. The sunlight-activated coating is both water-attracting and light-reactive, which helps break down dirt and lets the rain wash it away, resulting in a clean, streak-free surface.

How do you remove a sliding glass door for cleaning? 

To remove a sliding glass door for cleaning:

1. Open the door halfway
2. Lift the door upwards into the upper track
3. Tilt the bottom outwards towards you
4. Carefully lower the door to disengage from the upper track
5. Remove the door and place it on a secure surface
6. Clean the door, tracks, and rollers
7. Reverse steps to reinstall the door

Clean any glass surface with ease

And there you have it, the best glass cleaning methods for all the surfaces in your home. With these pro tips, you're ready to tackle any glass cleaning challenge. Remember that the key to achieving that sparkling, streak-free finish lies in choosing the right cleaning solution and using the proper tools for each surface.

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