How to Clean Double Pane Windows
Double pane windows can fog up and get dirty in between the glass panes. This is a huge problem for many people because it is almost impossible to clean between the glass. In fact, if you call in a professional window installer, they will probably tell you that you are going to need new windows. This isn't the case. While it is a much more involved process than you might be hoping for, there is a way for you to defog double pane windows and actually clean them as well. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Drill with a 1/8 inch bit that can drill glass
- Small hose or plastic tubing
- Water proof putty
- Bucket or coffee can
- Cleaning alcohol or glass buffer
- Dental water pick (optional)
- Clear packing tape
- Sharp needle
Instructions
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1
Drill a 1/8 inch hole in the top corner of your window pane. Do this carefully, and cool the bit with water while you are drilling. This should be done on the inside of your window as well.
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2
Drill another hole, same size and same method, in the opposite bottom corner of the window. The idea behind these holes is to allow any of the fog or condensation that is between the panes of glass to escape. Allow the window to stay that way for a day or two, or until the fog is gone from between the glass panes. If the fog was your only problem, you can skip to step 6.
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3
Take a section of the small plastic tubing and insert it into the bottom hole in the window pane. Make sure there is enough tubing inside the window to siphon liquid out of it, and surround the hose with putty at the hole in the window. Also put a coffee can or bucket at the other end of the hose to catch the liquid.
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Use dental water pick or a funnel and more plastic tubing to spray the inside of the glass through the top hole with either alcohol or glass buffer. The glass buffer is much stronger, and will clean hard water stains better than alcohol, but alcohol is cheaper and easier to use.
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Allow the bottom hose to siphon the liquid out of the window while you are cleaning. If this isn't working, you can attempt to attach the small tubing to a wet/dry vac. Let the window dry out for a couple of days after you are finished.
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6
Cut a circular piece of clear packing tape, about ¼ inch in diameter to cover each hole. Then poke small holes in the tape using the needle. This will allow air and moisture to escape from inside the window panes, and will keep insects out.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not attempt this method if you have tempered glass, or if you aren't sure. Drilling into tempered glass will shatter your window.
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Comments
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ajfelice
May 15, 2010
Continued from the previous post....I used a typical box style floor fan by the second hole. 12-15 hours later the moisture was gone. I used a can of compressed air with its red extension tubing (The ones we use to clean our computer keyboards)to clean the white drip mark. It worked well. The window is so much better than it was that I do think I will risk placing liquid between the panes. I was so impressed with the compressed air that I thought if I could only find a 2 foot piece of this tubing, I could use the compressed air to clean the inside of the window. This method is not tested except for my small area behind the first hole. -
ajfelice
May 15, 2010
I tried this method as well with success. I bought a 1/8in glass/tile drill bit made by Black and Decker from my local Home Depot. I drilled a hole in the upper left and lower right of the inside window. I wet the bit frequently and used low speed. The process is not quick, so be patient. Wetting the bit resulted in a thick white liquid being generated that had to be wiped away frequently. I used a toothpick to gauge the depth of the hole. When I drilled through the pane on the first hole, some of the white liquid dripped onto the inside of the pane. So, with the second hole, when I sensed that I was getting close, I wet and then wiped off the bit so that it was not dripping with water. When I drilled though the pane on the second hole, there was no white liquid to drip to the inside. I was unable to find tubing (at the Home Depot)small enough to fit into the 1/8in hole. I used a...
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stealthhokie
Sep 21, 2009
I drilled small holes in the inside upper right hand corner and lower left hand corner. After a day or so the moisture inside just went away. After a year going through all seasons the fix worked and I have not had any moisture in a large bay window. Prior to drilling the very small holes the window was useless because of all the moisture. I used a dremel and drilled about a 1/16th size hole right in the corner. I did a hear a pop and I was afraid the entire window was going to break but it was just the other end of the hole breaking out like a small bb gun hole in glass. I did not care if the window broke because this was my last effort before buying a new window. Sure glad it worked. Note: I did not do anything other than drilling the holes, I did not suck anything out or add any liquid.
