Anybody who owns a glass table knows that it can be both beautiful and frustrating. Glass furniture whether it’s in your living room or dining room lets in light and makes a room feel open and airy, but they also require constant upkeep. Water spots and streaks are all too common, and they can be tough to remove. In this post, we’ll show you how to clean glass table tops to keep your table clean and streak-free.
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1. Before Cleaning Your Glass Dining Table Or Glass Furniture
Before you spray your glass surface for cleaning, remove everything from the glass tabletop and give it a good wipe-down with a dust cloth, duster, or vacuum attachment.
This will help to remove any build-up of dust, dirt, or crumbs that could interfere with the cleaning process. Once the surface is clear and free from dust, pet hairs, and crumbs it’s time to spray!
2. The Best Supplies To Clean Glass
Should you use paper towels? a lint-free cloth? lemon juice? What about if you have hard water should you use distilled water to get that streak-free shine? The best way and for the best results is a good old white vinegar cleaning solution.
The first step to any cleaning task is to gather the supplies. For cleaning glass tables you’ll need:
- White Vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Clean microfiber cloth for scrubbing (We love these ones)
- Dry microfiber for drying/buffing (If you have kids like mine that like to spray the glass surface until it’s soaked with vinegar) 😉
- Paper Towels* (see note)
There is no need for chemical-laden cleaning products for this task. Just simple white vinegar will make your glass sparkle! Not only is vinegar an extremely effective way to clean glass, but it’s also natural, inexpensive, and non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry about it hurting your children, pets, or the environment!
Note:
*Paper towels are usually not needed, however, if you have a particularly tough limescale buildup for example on some glass bathroom furniture or tough spot they will come in handy. If you don’t want to use paper towels you can also make a damp cloth soaked in vinegar to put on the tough spots.
3. The Proper Way To Clean Your Glass Table
As mentioned above the first step is to give your glass table top a good dusting. Remove crumbs, pet hair, dust, and any other debris.
Once clear, fill up an empty, clean spray bottle with white vinegar, not organic apple cider vinegar as these usually contain the “mother” and you don’t want bits of that sticking to the table. Just pure white distilled vinegar, no need to dilute it either!
Next, spray the undiluted white vinegar onto to glass table top surface. Using your soft cloth wipe the table in a circular motion. If you have really tough grime or limescale on the glass surface this is where the paper towels come in handy. Soak the paper towel in vinegar and put over the tough mark. Leave for 10-15 minutes and then wipe away.
You shouldn’t need to buff the table dry after as vinegar is quick to evaporate, but if your glass furniture is still wet take another clean microfibre cloth to buff dry.
4. How To Avoid Streaks When Cleaning Your Glass Table
To avoid streaks when cleaning your glass table use a clean microfiber cloth that hasn’t been used with other cleaning products. This is because some cleaning products can leave a residue that will cause streaks when it comes to wiping down your glass furniture.
Also, make sure you spray enough vinegar onto the surface so that it’s well-saturated. This will help to ensure that there is no residue left behind when wiping away.
5. Frequent Questions About Cleaning Glass Tables
Can I Use Old Newspaper To Clean Glass?
Using a piece of newspaper has long been a popular way to clean and polish windows and glass but it’s actually not the best way as it can leave behind ink residue.
Will My House Smell Of Vinegar?
No, cleaning your glass or mirrors with vinegar will not make your house smell of vinegar. The smell of the vinegar will dissipate quickly as it dries.
What Are The Best Microfiber Cloths For Cleaning Glass?
While there are several different brands of microfiber cloths available, these ones are great! You can use them with vinegar or simply with water and they will still leave your glass or mirror sparkling.
The important thing is to never mix your microfiber cloths for different jobs such as cleaning your glass table top and kitchen countertops. Doing so can cause residue from one job to be transferred onto the other. It’s best to buy a separate cloth for each task.
Additionally, when cleaning your microfiber cloths, either by boiling them or in the washing machine, do not use any fabric softener as this can leave a residue build up on the cloth which can make the cloths less effective and cause streaking.
What About Normal Glass Cleaners?
There are several popular brands claiming to get your glass surfaces looking pristine. However, these glass cleaners often contain chemicals that can be harmful to your health and the environment.
Therefore, it’s best to avoid these types of cleaning products if possible and opt for a more natural option such as white vinegar instead. Which actually cleans just as good if not better than most commercial cleaners!
Can I use Vinegar To Clean Windows and My Shower Screen?
Of course, you can use vinegar to clean your windows, glass, and shower screens! Vinegar is especially fantastic in the bathroom as it kills germs, bacteria, and mold, removes limescale buildup, and leaves your glass and mirrors sparkling!
What About Warm Water and Dish Soap?
If there is food residue on your glass table a good idea is to first give it a quick wipe with a soft cloth dipped in warm soapy water. Don’t use an abrasive scrubber as it can scratch the glass surface.
Then once the table is clean, spray the vinegar onto the entire surface of the table and use a clean microfiber cloth in circular motions to make your beautiful glass table sparkle.
How to Keep Your Glass Top Table Looking Good
One of the easiest ways to keep glass furniture looking good all the time is regular cleaning. Glass shows dust, grime, fingerprints, and smears really fast. By regularly cleaning your table using the above method, you can ensure that your glass will look as good as new.
Conclusion
You don’t need expensive chemical-laden cleaners to make your glass table look like new. All you need is some white vinegar and a microfiber cloth! Cleaning your glass furniture with white vinegar is an easy, inexpensive, and effective way to keep it looking great all the time. Don’t forget to also regularly dust off your table as this will help prevent dirt buildup.
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