Cleaning glass isn’t the easiest of tasks, due to its transparency; smears, marks and streaks become really visible and look dirty. In order to make cleaning glass as effective and efficient as possible you need two things: the right tools and the right techniques. The best tool for any glass cleaning task is the Marigold Squeaky Clean Flexi Microfibre Cloth. This soft and flexible cloth has a special absorbent coating and microfibre, the PU coating provides the squeege / peeling effect, which leaves surfaces streak-free and sparkling clean.
Read more to uncover some cleaning secrets to make your glass surfaces gleam.
If used frequently, glass tables collect a lot of dirt, dust and hand prints. The first trick to keeping glass tables sparkling is to clean them frequently, we recommend daily. This will help to prevent the dirt building up, making every clean a simple wipe down. Plus, some messes can become more difficult to remove, if left for longer periods of time.
Ensure you use placemats for mealtimes (and any other objects that you place on the table). Not only will this prevent scratches or chips it will also help collect some of the dirt.
Some people may be tempted to use kitchen roll to clean up quick spills, however this can leave lint on the glass, leaving smears and white flecks across the glass table and is less sustainable. Instead, opt for a microfibre cloth, such as the Marigold Squeaky Clean Flexi Microfibre Cloth which is low linting and can also be washed and reused again and again.
If the table is used less frequently, it may have collected a fair bit of dust. In order to get that streak free result, try damp dusting the table first with a damp microfibre cloth, such as one of the Marigold let It Shine On and On! Microfibre Cloths. Damp dusting is a great, chemical-free solution to cleaning surfaces as it collects the dust onto the cloth, rather than just moving the dust around for it to just resettle later.
The most important method to achieve streak free glass stove tops is to never clean them when they are too hot. Not only is this a safety hazard, it can also cause permanent streaks. If you weren’t aware of this and have already created a cloudy stove top, we have some tips on how to tackle this...
First you need white vinegar** diluted with water; spray this all over the cool stove stop. Sprinkle bicarbonate of soda*** on top of where you have sprayed and leave it to soak it for 15 minutes. Wipe the solution away with a lint-free microfibre cloth in a s-motion and rinse the cloth regularly.
If you find you have dried or burnt food residue, that was not removed with the process above, then you may need to tackle this task with a bit more elbow grease. Use a non-scratch scourer to gently remove these messes without damaging the delicate glass stove top surface. The Marigold Cleaning Me Softly Non Scratch Scourers are the perfect tool for the job.*
Whether you are cleaning sliding doors, French doors or bi-folding doors, there is a similar process in order to get streak free results. One key factor when cleaning glass doors, is to avoid using products with scents, or dyes, which can leave a haze across the glass.
To clean the glass door on the inside, one good option is to create your own, natural solution of 50/50 white vinegar** and water. If the doors are particularly greasy, you can simply add a squirt of dish soap. Spot-clean the worst of the marks before wiping down the entire window with a damp microfibre cloth. You may then decide to buff your windows with dry cloth for that extra shine, however we are confident that if you used your trusty Marigold Squeaky Clean Flexi Microfibre Cloth, you won’t need to! This cloth both cleans and dries at the same time thanks to its super absorbent coating
To clean the outside of a window, grab yourself a bucket of warm soapy water and a wet cloth or absorbent sponge to soak the windows fully. Then use a microfibre cloth starting from the top corner, left to right in a zig-zag motion to remove any excess liquid.
If you have glass shower doors, ensure you wipe down the glass surface after every shower use to clean off any water residue, prevent limescale build up and reduce streaks.
If the mirror isn’t too dirty, try using just water with, you guessed it, a Marigold Squeaky Clean Flexi Microfibre Cloth. That alone should leave your mirrors sparkling, however, if the marks or smears are stubborn, add your desired cleaning solution*** or create the same mixture suggested for cleaning inside glass doors**. Always clean your mirrors from top to bottom, with a side-to-side motion, so that you don’t redeposit dust and debris. If possible, tilt your mirror or look at it from different angles, with different light reflections, to spot any areas you might have missed.
No one wants to drink from a dirty wine glass! However, wine glasses are an awkward shape to clean, but no one wants to drink from a dirty glass! Always wash your wine glasses by hand to prevent damaging them. Soak the wine glasses in white vinegar** and warm water for 30 minutes whilst you get on with other jobs around the house. White vinegar is a great solution to dissolve grime, break down films and remove hard water minerals whilst leaving a streak-free finish. Remember to be extra careful to not break the glasses or put too many in the same bowl. The Marigold Extra Life Kitchen Gloves are perfect for this task as they protect your hands from warm water. Then use a separate basin of warm soapy water and gently wipe them with a microfibre cloth, focusing on any obvious marks such as lipstick stains. Ensure you clean right inside the glass, the stem and the base of the glass. Unless you’ve used a Marigold Squeaky Clean Flexi Microfibre Cloth, never leave your wine glasses to air dry as this will leave water marks. Instead, make sure they’ve been fully buffed with a dry microfibre cloth or microfibre towel for that satisfying sparkle.
Think your glasses lenses are clean? Give this a try and then see how much better you can see…
Alcohol-based wipes can actually damage special coatings used on prescription glasses. Chemicals such as bleach or those that have high concentrations of acid, lemon juice and vinegar should also be avoided for the same reason. Instead, get a small amount of washing up liquid and create a lather with your fingers, then gently rub this into the glasses lens on both sides. Once that’s done, get a microfibre cloth, turn the tap on and simultaneously hold the glasses under the warm, running water and gently rub the lens in a horizontal movement with your fingers. Dry your glasses with a microfibre cloth or towel and test your glasses to ensure you’ve not missed anything!
Whether you’re tackling a glass table, glass door or wine glass, you now know how to clean all kinds of glass surfaces in the most effective way! White vinegar** is an excellent cleaning cupboard essential for cleaning most glass surfaces, alongside the Marigold Squeaky Clean Flexi Microfibre Cloth, for streak free results!
Bring a bit of Marigold sunshine to your cleaning routine and check out the full range of Marigold cleaning supplies now!
*Use only when wet and test first on an inconspicuous area first. Do not use the harsh chemicals and bleach, dry powder or abrasive detergents.
** If using vinegar to clean, remember never to use on porous stone or ceramic surfaces.
***If using bicarbonate of soda, remember to never use it on aluminum and certain ceramics.
**** We recommend following manufacturer's instructions for which cleaning chemicals can be used on items such as kitchen cupboards and worktops and we recommend testing first on an inconspicuous area.
