Keep Your Glass Shelves Clean With These Simple Steps

If you're tired of your outdated glass shelves and want to turn them into faux wood, you must ensure they're as clean as a whistle. This is because paint won't adhere properly to a dusty surface. Or, maybe, you just want your curated showpieces to look gorgeous on a sparkling surface and don't appreciate the visible smudges and fingerprints. But how do you go about cleaning your glass shelves? Do you just wipe them with a washcloth and call it a day? Not quite. You need to wipe the dirty and grimy surface with a cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth.

You can DIY a cleaning solution using common household ingredients, like dish soap. You could even use distilled white vinegar since, out of all kinds of vinegar, it's ideal for cleaning. Or, you could opt for manufactured cleaners, but ensure they're ammonia-free since they can blemish tinted or mirrored surfaces. HOPE's Streak Free Glass Cleaner Spray is a good option. You also want to grab a clean microfiber cloth because it won't leave lint behind. In case the shelves are covered in cobwebs and dust, you should also get a duster. Once you have everything, it's time to clean your glass shelves.

The first step is to empty the shelves of all displayed items. This will give you an uninterrupted area to work with. Then, cover the nearby surfaces with an old cloth and grab your duster. Quickly dislodge the cobwebs and dust to proceed. In case you don't have a duster handy, a dry microfiber towel or a soft brush will work, too. Now, prepare your cleaning solution if you don't have a chemical cleaner. You can either mix distilled white vinegar and water in equal proportions in a spray bottle, or you can combine dish soap and water. Alternatively, add a couple of drops of dish soap to the vinegar and water combo to cut through dirt and grease easily. If you're worried about mineral stains from hard water, use distilled water instead.

After you have your cleaner, spray it liberally over your clean microfiber cloth and rub it in circular motions along the length of your glass shelves. This will keep them streak-free. Once you clean both sides of a shelf, wrap some dishcloth onto a narrow brush to dislodge dust from the nooks and crannies, too. When you're satisfied, dampen another cloth and move it from top to bottom. This will help you get rid of the residue left behind by your cleaning solution. Go over the shelves from top to bottom using a dry cloth to keep unsightly water marks at bay. Allow the surface some time to air dry before dusting the stored items and putting them back in their respective spots.

For starters, don't skip the dusting even if your shelves don't look particularly dirty. If you rub the cleaning solution directly onto a glass surface, you'll end up with a muddy mess. Plus, the hidden debris (however small) might scratch the shelf and mar its beauty permanently. You also want to avoid substituting a microfiber cloth with abrasive tools like steel wool. The latter has a rough texture and might cause surface-level damage if you don't use it right. Similarly, avoid using a paper towel, as it might deposit lint onto your transparent shelves.

Additionally, pick the right cloth to avoid making the same mistakes everyone makes when using a microfiber cloth around the house. A waffle weave is perfect for the job. Moreover, no matter how gentle or organic your cleaning solution is, don't sprinkle it directly onto the glass shelves. This will keep the liquid from manipulating the edges and penetrating the surface. Finally, be gentle and don't exert unnecessary pressure. Remember, glass is a fragile material, and you don't want to damage it. In case you encounter a stubborn stain or spot, rub it a couple of times in a different direction than you were previously moving in. This should get rid of it and leave your glass shelves shiny.