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How to Clean Windows and Mirrors

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How to Clean Mirrors

How to Clean Windows

Most household windows are made from panes of glass, though some are made from plastic or specialty glass. The cleaning method you should use depends on the type of material your windows are made of.

Glass Windows

To clean glass windows, get a squeegee and a couple of lint-free cloths. Use either a solution of one part vinegar to one part hot water, or put 2–3 drops of liquid dish soap into a spray bottle and fill with water—using more soap will cause streaks. A solution of ammonia and water is fine for windows with wooden frames, but ammonia can damage aluminum frames.

Wash: Dunk a soft cloth in a bucket filled with your window cleaning solution of choice, or spray window cleaner on a soft cloth and wipe it onto the window. Spray-on window cleaners can damage wood and aluminum window casings if sprayed too liberally.
Wipe: Dampen a squeegee and draw it in long strokes from the top of each windowpane to the bottom. Overlap your strokes slightly, and dry the squeegee after each pass.
Finish: Wet a soft cloth with your cleaning solution and wipe the window frames and sills. Rinse to remove leftover cleaning solution, then dry.

Plastic Windows

Clean plastic windows in the same way that you clean glass windows, with just one exception. Never use highly alkaline cleansers on plastic windows, as they can damage the surface.

Specialty Glass

Cleaning stained glass and leaded glass can be tricky. Acidic and basic cleaning chemicals can discolor or weaken stained or leaded glass, while common window cleaning agents can damage the integrity of leaded windows, weakening the joints between pieces of glass. If you have stained glass or leaded windows, clean them gently with plain water and dry them thoroughly. Don’t press too hard, especially with leaded windows, or the glass may loosen.

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