While calling the Genie is the easiest option, there are still plenty of people who prefer to do their house cleaning themselves. If you choose to clean your windows make sure you know what type of glass you’re working with. Windows come in all shapes and sizes. The glass itself can vary from window to window, and the method used to clean these windows varies as well. Let’s take a look at the common types of glass and how to clean them:
Annealed Glass
Annealed glass is a fairly common type of glass and more than likely you have this glass in your windows. The glass is created with a process of slowly cooling the glass to relieve the internal stresses after it is formed. This glass is typically flat and is extremely easy to clean. Skilled professional window cleaners will use a razor blade to scrape this glass because it’s hard to scratch. We do not recommend a homeowner attempt this, however. The recommended method is to use water, dish soap, a squeegee, and a microfiber towel. WG-57 or your favorite glass cleaner with a microfiber towel will work as well.
Heat-Strengthened Glass
Heat-strengthened glass has been heat treated to induce surface compression, but not to the extent of causing it to “dice” on breaking in the manner of tempered glass. This type of glass is harder than annealed glass but can have fabricating debris. Heat-strengthened glass can tolerate rapid swings in temperature but tends to have blemishes. These windows should never be scraped with a razor. The debris in the window can cause the window to be compromised. Cleaning this window should be done the same as annealed glass, without the scraping.
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass can be up to 5x stronger than annealed glass. It’s often referred to as safety glass because when it breaks it falls into small pieces that prevent serious injury. Tempered glass is normally stamped or etched identifying it as such. Tempered glass is one of the toughest types of glass to clean. Tempered glass is extremely easy to scratch. Make sure you use a quality cleaner and a microfiber towel. Be careful not to scrub the window.
Low-E Glass
Low-E glass has a film or coating applied to it to prevent ultraviolet rays from heating your home. These windows are very expensive and it is highly recommended to not use any window cleaner that contains ammonia. A cleaner must never scrub or use any type of abrasive material to clean the window. The ideal way to clean this window is an ammonia-free cleaner and a microfiber towel.
Not all glass is created equal nor should they be treated that way. Cleaning your windows can seem simple, but it is important to know the difference between the types of glass when cleaning. Scratching your glass is virtually impossible to fix and can be expensive when it is possible. Window cleaning is time-consuming and often difficult or dangerous to do. It typically involves climbing ladders, hanging out of windows and after many hours of work, they still have streaks and smears. Your local Window Genie technicians are ready to do the cleaning for you. With our 3-step cleaning process, the streak-free cleaning is done for you. No drips. No streaks. No ladders!
