The Complete Guide to Glass Cleaning

A glass cleaner is a fast‑evaporating liquid (often alcohol‑based) with gentle cleaning agents that lift fingerprints, grease and everyday soil, then flash‑dry to reduce residue so transparent surfaces look clear rather than cloudy.

A good glass cleaner isn’t about a fancy label; it’s about what happens on the pane. The right formula loosens oily marks, dissolves them quickly, and dries evenly so nothing noticeable is left behind. That’s what separates a sharp reflection from a slightly dull one.

A well‑designed glass cleaner takes care of three jobs, in order:

Cleaning agents (surfactants) help oily fingerprints and fine soils release from the surface so they wipe away more easily.

Oils don’t mix happily with water. A fast‑evaporating alcohol bridges that gap, dissolving oily residue and thinning any light film so you don’t need to scrub. If you’re looking for this on a label, you’ll often see isopropyl alcohol listed among the ingredients.

Once the mark has been lifted and dissolved, drying speed is what prevents new streaks. Faster evaporation reduces visible edges where droplets sit and cuts down the effort needed to buff.

Two small habits make a noticeable difference:

• Ventilate while you clean: Keep fresh air moving to stay comfortable and to avoid short‑term build‑up of vapours from any household product.

• Use the right cloths:  Clean, lint‑free microfibre does more work than you’d expect. Use one slightly damp microfibre to clean and a second, dry one to finish. If you need a set, these Glass Microfibre Cloths – Pack of 3 are sized and textured for glass.
  

Ammonia is a strong degreaser, but it has a sharp odour and can irritate eyes and airways at higher concentrations or with poor ventilation. For homes with children, pets or scent sensitivity, ammonia‑free is usually the more comfortable choice. For the general health context, see the UKHSA toxicology overview:

An alcohol, such as isopropyl alcohol, is common in glass cleaners. It dissolves greasy fingerprints and dries fast, which helps reduce visible residue. If you want to avoid strong smells but still value quick evaporation, look for an ammonia‑free, unscented cleaner that includes a fast‑evaporating alcohol (for example, this refillable option).

For nurseries, bedrooms and smaller bathrooms or any scent‑sensitive home, fragrance‑free is often the easiest win. You get the speed and clarity you want, with less in the air.

Useful on other surfaces; not helpful on glass. These can cling and dull transparency, which forces more buffing for the same result. When clarity is the goal, simpler is better.

Vinegar should never be used on calcareous stones such as marble, limestone or travertine because it etches the surface. Mirrors are vulnerable, too. It’s advised not to use household/window cleaners on device screens, and acidic liquids can creep behind mirror edges and corrode the silver backing. In all of these cases, a purpose‑made glass cleaner and a microfibre cloth are the safer choice.

Glass is robust; the materials on or around it are where care is needed. These checks help you protect films, coatings and finishes.

Treat filmed windows as a system: film surface, adhesive beneath, glass behind. Care varies by film type and brand, so start with the installer’s instructions. A common pattern is to use soft microfibre cloths, non‑abrasive methods, and allow new films to cure for a period before cleaning. Some films allow a wider range of cleaners after curing; others recommend ammonia‑free only. If you don’t know what’s installed, ammonia‑free is a safe default.

Anti‑fog, hydrophobic or anti‑glare coatings add function but don’t like harsh treatment. Use a soft microfibre and an ammonia‑free glass cleaner; avoid abrasive pads that can wear coatings prematurely. If you’re unsure, test a small area first and follow the product’s care notes.

Household glass cleaner is not a screen cleaner. It’s advised not to use household or window cleaners on device displays, and never to spray liquid directly onto a screen. Use a screen‑safe approach and follow your device maker’s instructions.

Marble, limestone and travertine are calcareous; acids etch them. Keep vinegar and other acidic mixes away from these stones and their polished edges. When cleaning near stone, spray the cloth rather than the surface to control overspray, and wipe any drips straight away.

Mirrors are glass with a silvered backing. Acidic liquids can creep behind tiny edge gaps and corrode that silver, leading to “black edge” spots that won’t polish out. A non‑corrosive glass cleaner and a microfibre cloth are safer.

Mirrors are glass with a silvered backing. Acidic liquids can creep behind tiny edge gaps and corrode that silver, leading to “black edge” spots that won’t polish out. A non‑corrosive glass cleaner and a microfibre cloth are safer.

Check out our blog on everything you should and shouldn't clean with glass cleaner

Good ventilation keeps cleaning comfortable and helps maintain healthier indoor air. Bringing in fresh air while you clean is a simple step with a big payoff.

Start with what you need at home, then match it to the features that deliver it:

Choose ammonia‑free and ideally unscented. You’ll still get quick evaporation and clarity without the sharp smell or lingering fragrance. If you prefer this balance, see the Streak‑Free Eco Glass Cleaner above

Look for a formula that includes a fast‑evaporating alcohol (commonly isopropyl alcohol). It helps the liquid dry evenly so you don’t chase streaks.

A refillable set‑up (durable bottle + concentrate sachets) lets you add water at home and reuse the same container. That means less single‑use plastic and fewer deliveries. 

Look for non‑toxic formulas that avoid harsh chemicals (e.g., sodium hydroxide, chlorine, phosphates, ammonia) and are biodegradable and vegan-friendly. This is the brand’s baseline across products, and it applies to the glass cleaner too—check the “Benefits” section on the product page for the full list.

Clean, lint‑free microfibre is half the result. One damp microfibre to clean, a second dry microfibre to finish is a simple, reliable routine.

This is a straightforward routine that works for most windows and mirrors without getting into advanced streak troubleshooting (we cover that in the Library’s streak‑free guide):

1. Prep the tools: Grab two clean, lint‑free microfibre cloths—one to clean, one to buff.

2. Mist the cloth, not the surface: Spraying the cloth gives you control and prevents overspray onto stone, wood or electronics.

3. Clean in small sections: Wipe with the damp cloth to remove fingerprints and general soil.

4. Buff immediately: Follow with the dry cloth before the liquid dries on its own. This quick swap removes the last traces and leaves a crisp finish.

5. Avoid hot glass and direct sun: Liquids can dry too quickly on warm panes, which can leave marks. Work in the shade or at cooler times of day.

6. Refresh cloths as you go: Once the cleaning cloth is saturated, swap it for a new one. A fresh cloth is often the difference between “good” and “great”.

For tougher situations (hard‑water spots, exterior panes in full sun, large panes), you’ll find the deeper technique in our Library. Until then, the routine above plus the right cloths will take you a long way.

One 300 ml aluminium spray bottle, one Glass Microfibre Cloth, and three 30 ml concentrate sachets. Once diluted, that’s three full bottles of ready‑to‑use cleaner.

Yes. The formula is ammonia‑free and unscented, and it includes a fast‑evaporating alcohol to help it dry cleanly.

Pour one 30 ml sachet into the 300 ml bottle, top up with tap water to the fill line, attach the trigger and shake gently. Always follow the on‑pack directions.

It’s made for windows and mirrors and works well on other high‑gloss glassy surfaces. Avoid electronics and device screens (use a screen‑safe cleaner for those), and control overspray near natural stone and wood by spraying the cloth rather than the surface.

The formulation is non‑toxic, biodegradable, and free from common harsh chemicals listed on the product page. As with any household cleaner, store it safely and keep it out of reach. Ventilate while you clean, especially in small rooms.

Yes—there’s one Glass Microfibre Cloth in the Starter Pack. If you want extras so you can keep one damp and one dry on the go, see Glass Microfibre Cloths – Pack of 3.

Yes. Pick up Glass Cleaner Refill Sachets and keep reusing your existing bottle.