As one of the most durable and versatile materials, it’s no wonder glass furnishings are so popular, and whilst there’s no denying their elegance, it’s important you know how to look after them properly to help retain their timeless beauty.
In this article, the expert glass suppliers at Express Glass Warehouse share their top tips for maintaining your glass furnishings, so that you can enjoy their good looks for decades to come!
1. Clean regularly
The best way to keep your glass furnishings sparkling is to clean them regularly.
How often you clean glass furnishings depends on what they are and how often they’re used, but, generally, you should dust and polish them all at least once a week to keep dirt and stains at bay.
For the best results, use a specially formulated glass cleaner (or a homemade mixture of warm water and washing up liquid) and a soft microfibre cloth, dampening the cloth with your cleaning solution and buffing gently in circular motions until all smudges, stains, and watch spots of dirt disappear.
For particularly tough stains, add a touch of vinegar or a drop of lemon juice to help restore the glass’ sparkle.
2. Save cleaning for gloomy days
It might sound silly, but saving your cleaning for a gloomy day is a sure fire way to enjoy a shiny finish!
Cleaning glass furnishings in direct sunlight can cause your cleaning solution to heat up and evaporate quicker than you can buff it away, leaving a film of cleaning detergent on the glass and making streaks, smudges, and specks of dust more visible than when you started.
Instead, save cleaning for a cloudy or shaded day (we have no shortage of these, here in the UK!) and clean as normal for stunning, streak-free results.
3. Wipe up spills as soon as possible
Accidents are inevitable, especially in busy homes with children and pets.
So, in between your regular cleaning duties, make sure to wipe up any spills immediately (or as soon as possible) to avoid them causing permanent stains and damage to the glass.
Soak up any excess liquid with a paper towel, and then use your cleaning solution to wipe the surface clean.
4. Avoid abrasive cleaning agents and tools
When cleaning, make sure to stick to gentle cleaning solutions and tools to avoid damaging the glass.
Harsh cleaning agents and abrasive tools like steel wool can cause permanent scratches and other unsightly damage to glass furnishings, so it’s best to stay well away from these if you want your glass furniture to look its best for many years to come.
5. Protect from damage
Although glass furnishings, like glass shelves and tabletops, for example, can accommodate heavy items easily and withstand some high temperatures, it’s still important to protect them.
To do this, make sure not to place extremely hot or cold items directly on the glass, using coasters as a barrier to protect glass tabletops and shelves from scratches, stains, and possible heat damage.
Adding a protective finish to glass surfaces can also further shield the glass from damage and reduce the need for a replacement down the line.
Need more expert maintenance tips?
Glass is a wonderful addition to any home, but you need to know how to take care of it if you want it to last.
If you’re in need of more specialist glass maintenance tips, the experts at EGW would be more than happy to assist you.
Contact their friendly team today!
