How to Keep Your Home's Beautiful Glass Sparkling Clean

Glass is only as pretty (and functional) as it is clear. Glass vessel sinks sit pretty in a bathroom — but only if they're not smudged with fingerprints. Glass shower doors make even teeny bathrooms appear larger, that is if they're not coated in soap scum. And the gorgeous windows in your living room will not let in as much sunlight if there's a film of dirt clouding the panes of glass. Here are tips for how to clean the glass in your home, so you can see that sparkle shine.

Daily maintenance is the best way to battle soap scum in the shower. Wipe down the glass shower door using a squeegee — move from top to bottom.


If you notice water spots on your glass (even with regular upkeep), your system may have very hard water that's leaving behind deposits of minerals. Consider installing a water softener, or you'll continue to battle your hard water.

Glass vessel sinks are beautiful and definitely attract attention, but they're also delicate. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scouring pads which can scratch the glass surface.

The best way to prevent water spots on a glass sink: wipe the sink dry after every use. (Of course, that's too much work for most of us.) Clean off water spots using a mild glass cleaner.

You may have heard the common homekeeping tip to pour boiling water down your drains to keep them in clear shape. Don't try this with a glass vessel sink, however — pouring boiling water on the sink can crack the glass.

The toughest cleaners are not always the best cleaners for the job. Avoid chlorine bleach-based cleaners on your glass shower doors and metal frames — these cleaners can damage the finish. 

The toughest cleaners are not always the best cleaners for the job. Avoid chlorine bleach-based cleaners on your glass shower doors and metal frames — these cleaners can damage the finish. 

A white vinegar solution will help clear up a hazy film of soap scum. Dampen a cloth with white vinegar and move from top to bottom on your glass shower door. Then rinse thoroughly with your shower spray.

Is the old wives' tale true that you should wash your windows on a cloudy day? It is a smart tip, because the sun can dry your glass cleaner faster than you can wipe it away (which only causes another problem — streaking.)

What tool is best for cleaning windows? You can use a cloth, papertowels, or newspaper, but a squeegee will make the job easier.

Any glass window cleaner will do the job. Some professional window cleaners swear by using a few drops of dishwashing liquid in a bucket of warm water as a window washing solution — the dishwashing liquid cuts through any grease on your windows.

You'll want a squeegee that's the right size for your window panes, and you may want to stock up on a few different sizes of squeegee blades to clean all your windows. A larger squeegee blade is best for the bigger windows in your house — it will save you time.

Window frames and screens can get super dirty. It's best to wash them before you clean your windows. Your windows will stay clean longer if they're surrounded by clean frames and screens.