Whether it is in the form of a table, window, or even reading glasses, smudged glass can be annoying to see. Having fingerprints or other types of dirt all over a glass item makes it seem dingy.
Cleaning regular glass sometimes takes nothing more than a soft cloth and a bit of liquid but frosted glass is a little more delicate.
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Frosted glass is pretty easy to identify. It is more opaque than the regular one. What that means is that you can’t see through it as easily as you can through normal glass.
People often prefer frosted glass windows to boost privacy. Other things like tables and drinking glasses are made from it because of how good it looks.
Frosted glass is used for different reasons. The sound insulation is better and reduces the risk of eavesdropping.
It is also better for safety because it is harder to break. Frosted glass is also now common because of the privacy it offers.
How to know if you have frosted glass
The frosted glass comes with different translucent textures, designs, and densities. These many properties make this glass a popular choice in the decoration of homes, offices, and restaurants.
They have many sorts of decorations and patterns. They also require little care and maintenance.
The feature that makes frosted glass great for privacy is what is used to identify it. Once you are unable to see through your glass door or window, it is frosted to an extent.
The more sandblasting or acid treatment the glass goes through, the less you are likely to see through it. Frosted glass has a pitted surface that scatters light. This is what makes it able to blur images but still transmit light.
Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
There are a couple of ways to clean frosted glass. The method that works best for you will depend on where the glass is located.
Like any other cleaning chore, gathering your supplies makes it easier to tackle. You will be able to handle the needs of your glass fixture depending on where they are in your space.
It is best to gather some general cleaning essentials first. Then you get the specifics for various areas.
Equipment
- Stools. This will help you reach high windows or tall doors.
- Microfiber Cloths
- Rubber Gloves
- Bucket
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Materials
How to go about cleaning the glass
There are different ways to clean frosted glass. This depends on where the glass is installed in the space.
Cleaning Frosted Windows
- Wear Rubber Gloves
When cleaning glass and any other surface, rubber gloves are a must. This is because the chemicals are harsh on the skin. Most retailed cleaning liquids are mild but sometimes, to clean frosted glass, more chemicals are mixed. This makes it dangerous when directly exposed to your skin.
- Wear a face mask
This step is equally as important as the first one. The chemicals in cleaning may be dangerous to inhale. They could also cause shortness of breath or fainting if inhaled directly. Try to avoid this task if you have previous respiratory issues. If you can not avoid it, a mask is compulsory.
- Spray window cleaner
If you are cleaning a frosted window, there are window cleaners available for use. Window cleaners like Windex work for both normal windows and frosted ones.
Some cleaners are alkaline, and others are ammonia-based. They are specially designed to get rid of some grime on windows.
Do not use cleaners that have a citrus base. These might smell nice but will not clean smudges as well as regular cleaners.
Spray the cleaner all over the window until the whole surface is damp.
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- Wipe with Paper Towel or Newspaper
Using a paper towel to wipe the wet window is the next step. Ball up a few towels and rub the window in circular motions. You could also tear up some newspaper, ball it up and do the same. Be sure to add some extra strength when wiping down dirty areas.
The patterned surface of frosted glass makes it easy for normal towels to leave lint behind. These fibers are very hard to remove afterward. This is why paper towels work best. They will scrub off the dirt without creating an extra chore.
- Dry The Surface
After scrubbing the surface, wipe it down with a microfiber towel. These towels also make sure the window is lint-free. A clean and dry towel will do the work of soaking up excess cleaner.
If you can not lay your hands on these towels, a clean and dry paper towel is the best replacement. Frosted glass makes it easier to wipe your window dry. You don’t need to worry about streaks on the window after.
Just look out for paper towel bits. Again, avoid fibers that cling to the glass.
Cleaning Frosted Shower Doors
Shower doors are exposed a bit more dirt than windows. The cleaning process is a little different from that of a window. After following the first two steps above, do the following:
- Spray a small section
Shower doors are taller than windows. Sometimes, they are taller than regular doors. This is why it is good to work with smaller portions. This will help you scrub a section before the cleaner dries off.
It is advisable to create a square section of 2ft by 2ft. Spray the section with ordinary glass cleaner until it is damp.
Do not use any multi-surface cleaner to do this task. They often do not have enough strength to clean the dirt. Also, avoid abrasive cleaners. These are likely to scratch your frosted glass surface.
- Scrub with paper towels or newspaper
Just like with the window, ball up paper towels or newspaper. Use the ball to scrub the damp surface. Scrub with a little more strength. This will get rid of any built-up soap residue on the shower door. Mineral deposits and other dirt will also be dealt with in this way.
When scrubbing the door, avoid abrasive tools. Using steel wool or pumice stones might destroy your glass. Scouring pads may also scratch the surface of the glass. Using a smooth scrubber like paper towels is much better. Add a little more elbow grease if dirt seems much. Remember to scrub properly because the frosting may sometimes hide grime and grease.
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- Rinse with Water
Rinse the door’s surface with water. This will get rid of the grime that has been brought up by scrubbing. You can use any temperature of water to do this; cold, hot, or warm. You may use the handheld shower jet to rinse down the inside of the door. You can also use a cup to pour water from a bucket. Rinse from top to bottom.
To clean the outside, a microfiber towel will be best. This will be rinsed out as sections are cleaned. This avoids puddles in the bathroom.
- Use a Baking soda mixture.
This step comes after the glass is left to dry. If there are still tough stains after it dries, it needs to be cleaned again with a mix of baking soda and vinegar. Mix one tablespoon or 14g of baking soda with one cup of water in a dish.
Add a dash of dishwashing liquid or vinegar to the mixture. Apply the mixture to the entire surface of the glass with a sponge or towel. Allow the mixture to sit for a couple of minutes.
Continue by scrubbing the glass with balled-up paper towels or newspapers again. Rinse the surface with water after and then spray with glass cleaner. Rinse it again after that. Do not use too much vinegar as it could scratch up your floated glass also.
Cleaning Frosted Decorations
- Remove from fixtures
For decorations like lampshades, you need to carefully unscrew from the lampstand. Be careful, so it does not fall and break. Each fixture has a unique pattern of screwing so be careful when removing.
- Wash like a dish
Take the decoration to the sink and wash. Use a dishrag and dishwashing liquid to clean. You could soak it in a sink full of water and dish soap for a while. This helps get rid of dust. Make sure to scrub areas that have dirt and dust built up. Rinse with warm water after draining the sink of the soapy water.
- Airdry
Leave the decoration to dry in a place that gets air. Drying it off with a towel might leave fiber residues. Don’t forget to be careful and not break them.
Dealing with Metal Damage
If your glass has been scratched by metal, it can be fixed. Simply soak some emery paper in water and scrub the scratch. Scrub in soft circular motions so as not to cause more damage. Only use emery paper that is the same texture and your frosted glass.
Conclusion
That’s all! It is pretty easy to clean floated glass, after all. Now you don’t have to feel bad about dirt and smudges.