Steklo Serviseglass at home: a guide to windows, mirrors and their care

An independent reference about glass and mirrors at home. It is not a workshop or a shop and does not take orders; it is not connected with the former site on this domain.

How-to

How-to: caring for windows and mirrors

Clean glass is less about a strong cleaner and more about doing things in the right order with soft materials. This section offers calm, step-by-step advice on cleaning windows and mirrors without streaks or scratches, and a short list of things you should never do with glass under any circumstances.

Streaks on glass are usually left not by dirt but by too much cleaner and a wet cloth used to wipe everything at once.

— Editor's note

How this section works: we describe everyday care for glass that is whole and undamaged. If the glass has a crack or a chip, do not clean it or touch it; read the planning section instead and call a professional.

How to clean a window without streaks

  1. Pick your moment

    Clean windows on an overcast day or once the sun has moved off that side of the house. In bright sunshine the water dries too quickly and leaves streaks.

  2. Dust the frame

    First use a soft brush or a dry cloth to remove dust and grit from the frame, sill and seals; otherwise the dirt will smear across the wet glass.

  3. Mix the solution

    Fill a spray bottle with warm water and add a little mild glass cleaner as directed on the label. More cleaner does not make the glass any cleaner; it only adds streaks.

  4. Work from top to bottom

    Spray the solution onto the glass and wipe it with a lint-free cloth, working from the top down so that drips do not run onto areas you have already cleaned.

  5. Squeegee off the water

    Draw a rubber squeegee across the glass in even strokes, wiping the blade after each pass. That way the water comes off the glass before it has time to dry.

  6. Dry and buff

    Go over the edges and corners with a separate dry cloth. Do not clean the outside of windows at height without proper safety measures: that part of the job is best left to professional window cleaners.

How to care for a mirror

  1. Start with a dry cloth

    Dust a mirror with a soft, dry cloth. This is often all it needs, and you will not have to use water at all.

  2. Put cleaner on the cloth

    Do not spray cleaner straight onto the mirror: drips run behind the edge and reach the reflective layer. Lightly dampen the cloth and wipe with that instead.

  3. Protect the edge

    Wipe the edge and the corner by the frame with an almost dry cloth. Constant damp eventually causes dark spots around the edge of a mirror, and those will not wash off.

  4. Air the bathroom

    After a shower, open the door or switch on the extractor fan so the mirror is not left in damp air for hours. This protects both the reflective layer and the fixings.

  5. Check the fixings

    While cleaning, check whether the mirror moves on the wall. If it has shifted or a fixing has come loose, do not try to tighten it yourself; call a professional.

  • Tools

    A cloth, a squeegee, a spray bottle, gloves and a box for broken glass, a frame brush: no brands.

  • Care

    Looking after glass through the seasons, after building work and when moving, plus the safety essentials.

  • Planning

    If glass cracks or a double-glazed unit mists up inside: what to do and what to ask a professional.

Sources

  • General manufacturer guidance on caring for glass and mirrors
  • Editorial material from this guide

Information about glass and mirrors is given in general terms, based on reference material on types of architectural glass and manufacturers' care guidance. Only a professional who sees your glass in person can judge how badly it is damaged and whether it is still safe to use.