8 Tips for Keeping Your Glass Sparkling Clean

Keeping glass clean around your home can be a challenge unless you have the correct tools and methods to achieve streak-free windows and mirrors. There's also a bit of an art and a science to glass cleaning, from the direction you wipe dirt away to the type of material you use to clean glass. Discover below the tricks you can use to keep your home's glass clear and sparkling, inside and out.

wiping a glass door with newspaper — The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija

01 of 08

Clean From Top to Bottom

The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija

If you really want your mirror or window to be streak free, clean from the top to the bottom. Because the cleaning solution can drip, use gravity to your advantage and let the cleaner drip into areas you haven't washed yet. Begin at the top and work your way down to make sure that no drips will happen on the glass surfaces that are already perfectly cleaned.
02 of 08

Wash Windows on a Cloudy Day

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You may think this should be the opposite as you can see the dirt on the glass better with the sun streaming in. The sun, however, can prematurely dry the window washing fluid, leaving residue and streaks. If you wait for a cloudy day to wash your windows, the cleaning solution will remain until you wipe it away, and you will end up with a brilliant streak-free shine.
03 of 08

Use a Squeegee

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It is amazing what a difference this one simple tool makes on glass surfaces. Sometimes the first wipe of the cloth doesn't remove all of the cleaning solution and having to re-wipe areas of glass is a guarantee that you'll have streaks. Using a squeegee, however, makes it effortless to polish each section of the window. A long-handled squeegee is a must if you will be doing tall windows, and it will do double duty in cleaning shower walls and doors as well.
04 of 08

Clean Corners With Cotton Swabs

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No matter how hard you try, residue seems to build up in the corners of the glass, and it can be very difficult to get to that residue unless you have the right tool. Cotton swabs are ideal for cleaning those hard to reach areas of the windows in your home. It's the perfect size and does the trick!

Continue to 5 of 8 below
05 of 08

Try an Old T-Shirt

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Old t-shirts are ideal for cleaning glass because they won't have any lint residue, and they are just absorbent enough to get a window polished clean. Plus, using old tees instead of paper towels is a great way to save money on housekeeping costs—and is good for the environment.
06 of 08

Try Homemade Window Cleaner

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Sometimes homemade solutions do the best job, are more economical, and won't contain unknown chemicals. To create your own glass cleaner, mix together 1 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 cup water, and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Using isopropyl alcohol and white vinegar together makes a quickly evaporating spray glass and mirror cleaner that competes with commercial brands. This can also be used to give a nice shine to hard tiles, chrome, and other surfaces. Additionally, steam cleaners can also provide a chemical-free option for cleaning and sanitizing hard surfaces with just water.
07 of 08

Use Newspapers

The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija

Some people swear by a newspaper to polish their glass surfaces. It does work and can work well, but many people don't like getting newsprint on their hands. The newspaper also doesn't hold up very well when it gets wet. But if you are finding that towels and cloth just aren't for you, the newspaper is worth a try. And if you are happy with how the glass looks but not how your hands look, you can simply wear gloves!
08 of 08

Avoid Woodwork

The Spruce / Taylor Nebrija

Many glass and window cleaners can cause damage to the framed wood areas of our mirrors and windows. Prevent drips on the wood which can damage these surfaces by placing a small cloth on the wood or windowsill to absorb any drips. And avoid spraying too much cleaner at once—instead, spray the window in small sections, working from the top down to the bottom of the glass.