Nothing ruins a beautiful view through a window or reflection in a mirror, than streaks and stains. And nothing looks dirtier and more unhygienic than a glass cooktop covered in smears.
Have you just spent an entire hour cleaning your windows inside and out, only to find that they’re streaky and look worse than they did before you cleaned them? Have you taken the time to clean all of the mirrors in your home only to discover that you still can’t see your face properly in them? Did you put some real elbow grease into cleaning your glass cooktop, only to be disappointed with the results?
These problems are all too common, but thankfully, there are a few handy hints for achieving streak-free windows, and shiny mirrors and glass cooktops:
How best to clean your windows
Avoiding cleaning your windows while the sun is blazing outside will prevent streaks, which occur when the glass cleaning solution dries up too quickly. In much the same way as windows, other glass surfaces are also prone to streaks due to evaporation.
One of the most effective ways to clean windows, is to wet them with a cleaning solution and use a squeegee to get rid of the excess, taking care to move it in a S-formation.
You can also use glass cleaner and a coffee filter to prevent streaks on glass wear, and should avoid re-wiping an area that has already been cleaned.
How best to clean mirrors
For larger mirrors, you can use any of the methods above, while smaller ones may best be cleaned with a cleaning solution (white vinegar and water is very effective) and a cloth or newspaper.
How best to clean a glass cooktop
Since glass cooktops get very grubby, very quickly, it’s best to clean them after every use, and then you won’t find yourself scrubbing at stubborn stains and ground in spillages. Cleaning up spillages as soon as they occur prevents most scrubbing from ever being necessary, and provided you do this, you should find that a simple wipe down with a microfibre cloth and all-purpose cleaner, will do the trick.
With a solution of white distilled vinegar and baking soda, here is an effective technique for a shiny glass cooktop:
- Wipe the cooktop to remove loose debris
- Sprinkle a good amount of baking soda over the glass
- Pour some white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it over the baking soda. Once the two start fizzing, allow the mixture to settle before moving on to the next step
- Simply take a damp cloth or soft scrubber and wipe the cook top clean
If glass is proving too troublesome for you to clean, simply ask your regular cleaner to add it to their checklist, and if you don’t have a regular cleaner, it might be time you invested in one!
