Five Common Glass Cleaning Myths
At Direct Roofing Systems, we want our customers to get many years of enjoyment from the items they purchase from us. Whether it be bifold doors, patio doors or Skypod roof lanterns, our products generally need little to no maintenance. However, now and then you may need to clean the glass to ensure it remains sparkling.
When it comes to glass cleaning, there are lots of techniques, some of which may not be that effective. In this post, we’ve compiled a list of some common glass cleaning myths and old wives tales and provide advice on whether they have any merit for use on modern-day glazing.
You Shouldn’t Clean Glass on a Hot Day
A surprising one to begin with as this myth is actually true. Glass is an excellent insulator and so, on a sunny day, the glass in your windows and doors heats up. If you apply water to your glass when cleaning it will quickly evaporate and is likely to leave behind streaks and water spots.
For the best results, it’s best to choose a cloudy day to clean your glass. This applies to both internal and external glazing.
No One Notices Dirty Glass
If dirt, dust and grime are evenly distributed across the surface of your glass, then it may not be easy to spot that they haven’t been cleaned for a while. However, as soon as the sunshine hits the glazing, the dirt will be clearly visible as a haze on the glass.
Depending on how dirty the glass is, it may start to prevent natural light passing through, and you’ll find the interior of your property may feel darker.
A reduction in natural light can have a negative impact on people’s mental health. Vitamin D, which is found in sunlight, plays a vital role in regulating mood and reducing depression.
There’s No Point Cleaning Glass if it’s Raining
This is a commonly held view but is entirely false. Most modern glazing is designed to self-clean using rainwater. A good old fashioned rainy day (normally mid-July in the UK!) can help to clean your windows rather than being detrimental.
If the glass is dirty and perhaps has a build-up of debris such as pollen, tree sap or bird poo, then rain may cause streaks. However, this isn’t making the glass dirtier; it’s just moving the dirt around a bit!
Use Newspaper to Polish Glass
This may have been true several decades ago. Newspapers used to be printed on much thicker, and better quality paper which may have been effective at polishing glass. However, the paper used today is very thin and will quickly rip and tear if used for any form of cleaning. Modern-day materials, such as Microfiber are a lot more suitable for glass cleaning.
Vinegar Will Do a Better Job than Shop Bought Cleaning Products
White vinegar is an excellent cleaning product that has numerous applications around the home. Mix it with water and a little detergent, and you have an excellent, homemade glass cleaning solution.
Of course, the most straightforward way of keeping your exterior glass clean is to ask a local window cleaner to do it for you. A clean every six to eight weeks should be sufficient to keep your glass sparkling and looking it’s best.
