The Glass Care Guide

Shower glass

Squeegee after every shower. Thirty seconds with a squeegee stops most hard-water spots and soap scum before they start. Work top to bottom, then wipe the bottom edge.

Clean weekly with something mild. A few drops of dish soap in warm water and a soft microfiber cloth handle most buildup. Rinse and dry.

For hard-water spots, mix white vinegar and water half and half, spray, let it sit five to ten minutes, then wipe. Keep vinegar off natural stone like marble or travertine; it etches the stone.

Never use scouring pads, steel wool or razor blades on shower glass. Tempered glass scratches easily, and scratches hold soap scum. Skip abrasive powders too.

Have a protective coating? Use only mild soap and water so the coating lasts. Nothing abrasive.

Check the hardware. If the door drags, sags or drips at the bottom, a hinge needs adjusting or the sweep needs replacing. Both are quick fixes. See shower door repair.

Windows

Use a soft cloth and plain soapy water, then a squeegee or a dry microfiber cloth. Clean on a cloudy day or in the shade so it doesn't streak.

Rinse dust first. Wiping dry dust across glass is how fine scratches happen.

Go easy on the edges. Don't aim a pressure washer at window seals or frames; it can push water past the seal.

Fog or haze between the panes means the seal on a dual-pane window has failed. Cleaning won't fix it, but you usually don't need a whole new window: the glass unit can be replaced in the existing frame. See window glass repair.

Clean the tracks and screens a couple of times a year so windows slide easily and latches line up.

Window film and tint

Let new film cure before you clean it. Small haze or water pockets right after install are normal and clear on their own. We'll tell you how long to wait.

Use ammonia-free cleaner or mild soap and water, with a soft cloth or rubber squeegee. Ammonia and abrasive pads can damage film.

Never scrape or use tape on the film side of the glass.

Mirrors

Spray the cloth, not the mirror. Liquid that runs down to the edges can get behind the silver backing and cause dark spots over time.

Use a gentle glass cleaner or water with a lint-free cloth. Dry the bottom edge, especially in bathrooms.

Gym and studio mirror walls get handled all day; wipe with a damp microfiber and dry it. Skip harsh chemicals near the edges and seams.

Sliding patio doors

Vacuum the track monthly. Dirt in the track is the most common reason a slider gets hard to open.

Skip heavy grease or oil in the track; it collects grit. A dry silicone spray works better.

Hard to slide even when clean? The rollers are usually worn. Replacing rollers costs far less than a new door. See sliding patio doors.

Storefront glass and doors

Squeegee storefront glass regularly and keep tape, stickers and adhesive off the glass when you can; residue is hard to remove without scratching.

Watch the door closer. If the door slams, won't latch or closes too slowly, the closer needs adjusting before it fails. See storefront glass and doors.

When to call a glazier

• A chip or crack that's growing, in any glass
• Fog or moisture between window panes
• A shower door that sags, drags or leaks
• A slider or window that's hard to open or won't lock
• Broken storefront glass or a door that won't latch (see emergency glass repair)

Text us a photo or call (626) 571-0135. Estimates are free, and most common repairs are done in 1-2 days. We speak English, Tiếng Việt and 中文.