How to Clean Tempered Glass

Tempered glass appears almost everywhere in the home.

To make tempered glass, a sheet of glass is rolled through a furnace set to very high temperatures. If smashed, tempered glass shatters into tiny fragments instead of sharp shards, making it safer for daily use. However, the heat treatment creates tiny glass pimples on the surface of the glass. Though usually invisible to the naked eye, these pimples make cleaning difficult; window razors drag the raised glass across the surface, scratching it. To clean tempered glass effectively, without scratching, you must use non-abrasive methods.

Things You'll Need

• Spray bottle
• Water
• Dish soap
• Glass-cleaning solution (optional)
• Sponge
• Soft cloth

Instructions

1. Make a cleaning solution by mixing together water and a few squirts of mild dish soap in a spray bottle. Alternatively, purchase a mild, non-abrasive glass-cleaning solution.

2. Soak the window with the cleaning solution and let it sit for a few minutes, allowing it to penetrate the dirt. Letting it set will help you remove as much dirt as possible without much scrubbing.

3. Soak a sponge in clean water and wring it out. Starting at the top, gently wipe away the cleaning solution. Rinse the sponge and continue working your way down the window. Sponge over the window again to ensure the cleaning solution is completely gone.

4. Buff the window dry with a soft cloth. Gentle circles will help keep the glass pimples in place so they do not scratch the surface.

References

• Fields Construction Services: Window Cleaning
• Simpson Door: Glass Cleaning Recommendations
• Scratched-Glass.net: Window Cleaning Network