Why You Should Avoid Steam Cleaning Glass

If you just bought a new steam mop or handheld steam cleaner, you're probably itching to use its attachments. After all, steam cleaning provides some incredible results, dislodging dirt and gunk stuck in crevices, loosening up grime from floors, and even offering some disinfecting benefits. Plus, using a new cleaning tool can be a lot of fun. 

However, there are some dangerous downsides to steam cleaners you should be aware of. If your steam-cleaning device came with a glass-cleaning attachment, you may want to avoid using it, especially on cold days. Glass can crack when placed under thermal stress, which results from rapid temperature changes. So, if you steam your windows or glass shower doors, you're putting them at risk for damage.

Different glass types and thicknesses will come with different risks of fracturing from thermal shock. Still, sticking to home remedies or glass-cleaning products is the best way to clean windows without streaks (and avoid the dangers of breakage). While your steam cleaner might be the perfect tool for disinfecting a germ-riddled bathroom or cleaning a messy tile floor, it might not be an ideal solution for tackling dirty glass.

If you've ever poured hot water into a chilled glass and noticed cracks or breakage, you've witnessed thermal shock. Glass is subject to thermal shock when it heats up or cools down rapidly and unevenly. The stress of this process can cause surface fractures. Steam cleaners work by boiling water in a chamber and then releasing the steam for cleaning. Most residential steam cleaners reach temperatures from 150 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to create a big temperature difference on most glass surfaces.

The type of glass you steam will also play a part in how likely it is to fracture. Standard float glass, which doesn't have any special treatments applied, may experience thermal shock at a 40-degree Fahrenheit temperature difference, while toughened or tempered glass can handle temperature changes of 200 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Either way, when you steam-clean windows or other glass surfaces, you're putting your glass at risk of breakage. While steam does an excellent job of removing dirt and smudges, it's not suitable for all surfaces. It'd be smart to add glass to the list of areas to avoid when steam cleaning your home.