Cleaning Glass Tables

Glass tables, gleaming in the light, add a beautiful and modern touch to your home. They make rooms feel bigger and brighter. They do have at least one drawback, however. When they're dirty, it's painfully obvious, especially in the sunlight. If you have a glass dining table that's used frequently, it can be quite a bother to keep cleaning it over and over again. If you have children or pets, that glass coffee table probably doesn't look as pretty as when you first saw it in the store. Whatever style or function of table you have, you'll want a quick, effective way to clean it.

There are many different ways to do this, so I'll provide three tried-and-true methods, and you can choose the one that works the best for you.

• Hot Towel: This is probably the easiest method, but it is for routine cleaning, not a really dirty table. Obtain a soft towel with no design on it. If it's brand new, wash it first with fabric softener, because towels usually contain a product to help them keep their shape in the store, which may harm your glass. Soak the towel with hot water, wring out a little bit, and wipe over the glass. (If your table has a wood trim, avoid getting this wet.) Quickly dry the glass with another towel or wadded-up newspaper.
• Windex: Windex or other window cleaner in a spray bottle is very convenient. It's also effective, removing dirt, dust, grease, smoke, and even stickers. Spray it on the glass, avoiding any wood trim. Promptly wipe off with newspaper, a soft rag, or quality paper towels. You may need to go over the glass again with another cloth to remove any streaks.
• Vinegar: This method is about as effective as Windex because it cuts right through grease and grime, but it is much less expensive and a more natural product. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and white vinegar. Spray onto the glass and wipe with a clean, dry cloth. When you're finished cleaning, buff the glass with wadded newspaper to remove any streaks and restore the shine. The vinegar smell evaporates quickly. You can also use vinegar to clean mirrors, eyeglasses, coffee pots, microwaves, and shower doors.

I hope one of these three easy methods will work for you. If your table has a wood frame, use wood furniture polish to clean it. Don't let the spray get on the glass, because the residue is hard to remove. You can also rub the wood with lemon oil to bring it a beautiful shine.