How to Clean Foggy Dual Pane Windows

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By G. Marie
eHow Contributing Writer

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A fogless window

The purpose of dual-paned windows is improved insulation. Your indoor areas are kept warm when weather is chilly, and cool when weather is hot. The panes are separated by 1/2 to 3/4 inches and have two seals, an inner and an outer seal. Air trapped between the panes acts as an insulator. If one seal fails, the other can usually compensate for a while. Fog between panes of double-paned windows is often caused by moist air that has entered the space between the panes through a hole in the seal. Your options are few, since you cannot repair a broken seal. Also, some foggy-window-fixes threaten the insulating benefit dual-paned windows are intended to provide.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Hire someone to remove the fog. The repair person does this by replacing the moist air between the windowpanes with dry air via a hole she drills in the glass and using a one-way valve. This means that moist air continues to come in through the broken seal and goes out through the new valve. However, the seal remains broken and your windows will eventually become foggy again.
Step 2

Hire a company to replace the insulating glass of the window. This is less expensive than replacing an entire window.
Step 3

Require paperwork stating warranty details, if one is offered, for fog removal or insulating glass replacement. Be suspicious of warranties promising more than 10 years of coverage; new dual-pane windows don't usually last longer than 10 years.