Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500200
06/24/03
Window Glass--Cleaning
In cleaning windows to remove soil and grease use
an alkali, such as ammonia or baking soda or washing
soda.
To remove hard water deposits and some soils, use a
weak acid such as vinegar (a strong acid would etch the
glass).
Never combine an acid and an alkali to clean glass.
One partially neutralizes the other and you waste these
neutralized materials. Thus do not mix vinegar and
ammonia; use one or the other in your water solution to
get the full effectiveness of the one product used.
One popular "recipe" from a commercial product
suggests combining ammonia (a moderately strong alkali),
baking soda (a mild alkali) and vinegar (a weak acid) in
water to clean glass. It gives good results but you
could get the same result by just using less ammonia
without the weaker alkali and the neutralization of the
vinegar and part of the ammonia.
Be careful not to drip alkaline or alcohol solutions
on painted or varnished woodwork as it can damage the
finish.
Wring out a cloth, sponge, or chamois almost dry
before wiping the glass surface. Dry the wet surface
with newspapers, paper towels, window wipes, or a
chamois. Try not to drip cleaning solution on woodwork.
Avoid washing windows in direct sunlight because they
tend to streak and are more difficult to clean.
Rubber squeegees with long handles are useful for
reaching large or high windows. When using a squeegee,
stroke from top to bottom. Wipe the squeegee after each
stroke. Also convenient for cleaning hard-to-reach
windows is an extension wash brush (available in
automobile supply stores). The wash brush can be attached
to a garden hose.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus, with reference from Mary Ellen
Delsipee and Isabel Jones, previous Extension specialists.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State
University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race,
color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability,
political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .