Glass dining tables can add a classy or contemporary feel to your home decor. However, owning them does seem to come at a price, namely maintenance. Maintaining glass dining tables can be challenging, as they typically require more attention than do wooden or ceramic surface tops. However, if you're struggling to keep your glass dining table clean, read on to learn about some of the best products and techniques that we've researched to do so.
Here are a few of the most common cleaners to use on glass dining tables:
- Dish Soap Solution
- White Vinegar Solution
- Naturally-squeezed Lemon Juice
- Rubbing Alcohol Solution
- Ready-made Glass Cleaners
For the most part, glass cleaners are fairly inexpensive. However, the solution you use combined with cleaning fabric can make all the difference in a streak-free shine. Please read on to learn how to mix and use these solutions for your glass dining table. We'll also share some tips for dusting and protecting your glass tabletop.
How To Clean A Glass Dining Table
Glass is notoriously difficult to keep clean. The clean non-porous surface of glass makes it easy to spot even the smallest speckle of debris on its surface. While the source of the stain will vary with each household, here are the most common culprits of glass stains:
- Stains from hard tap water
- Children and pet stains (i.e., fingerprints, dander, hair, dirt, etc.)
- Cloudiness from accumulated dust, pollen, and debris (sometimes due to bad air filtration)
- Stains from smoking, cooking, and bad air filtration
However, there are many ways to keep glass dining tables clean that don't require a tremendous amount of effort (or money). Let's discuss them.
Dish Soap Solution
Though it may be a bit surprising, dish soap is a quick and easy-to-use cleaner for glass tables. However, the key is only to use a minimal amount of soap. If you use too much, the suds will leave a table full of soap stains. To make your own glass cleaning solution from dish soap, simply combine approximately two to three drops of dishwashing liquid with two quarts of water.
Then, add two quarts of rubbing alcohol to the mixture. It's best to use a spray bottle for this method. Next, very gently agitate the bottle to mix all of the contents. Be sure not to vigorously shake the bottle, as you will create soap suds. Once your solution is ready, simply spray it on the dining table and use a lint-free cloth to wipe it off.
Check out these microfiber towels.
White Vinegar Solution
White vinegar is known for its everyday uses around the home--even outside of the kitchen. And it makes for an especially effective glass cleaner. To use white vinegar for your glass dining table, combine two cups of it with two cups of tap water (for a 50:50 ratio) and pour it into a spray bottle. It's best if the water is warm.
Once the spray bottle is filled up, spritz the table with the solution, making sure to wipe it away immediately with a dry cloth. You may notice the smell of vinegar for the next few minutes, but it should quickly dissipate. Opening the windows can speed this up.
Naturally-squeezed Lemon Juice
Lemons can also provide a good alternative for cleaning glass tables. This method is best used with naturally-squeezed lemon juice instead of store-bought, as it typically contains preservatives that can cause streaks. Simply cut a lemon (or two) in half and squeeze the juice onto the top of the table's surface. Next, use a microfiber cloth or newspaper to wipe the juice off the table.
If you have a fairly large dining table (8+ seats), you may need to use anywhere from two to four lemons. Lemons make a great natural alternative for people who strongly dislike the smell of vinegar.
Rubbing Alcohol Solution
You can also use rubbing alcohol for your glass dining table. To do this, combine a tablespoon of vinegar with half a cup of rubbing alcohol, and then pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Next, add a cup of warm tap water to the mixture, and you're all set! Use the solution as you would any other glass cleaning product, making sure to use a lint-free cloth when wiping the table clean.
Buy rubbing alcohol on Amazon.
Ready-made Glass Cleaners
Ready-made glass cleaners such as Windex, Method (Glass + Surface), Perfect Glass, Pine-Sol (diluted), and other products pretty much all require the same application when cleaning glass services, which is to simply spray them on the dirty surface and then wipe them off with a clean, dry cloth.
Can you use Bar Keepers Friend on glass?
No, it is not recommended to use Bar Keepers Friend on glass surfaces. Though bleach-free, this product is considered abrasive and can damage glass surfaces (it's mainly a stainless steel cleaner). It's best used on metal surfaces such as copper, steel, and aluminum.
What takes water stains off glass?
Getting rid of water stains on glass is fairly simple. Here are a few ways to do this by using products that you may already have at home.
White Vinegar & Baking Soda Solution
An effective way to removing water stains from glass surfaces (caused by limescale) is to apply a mixture of baking soda and vinegar over the stains. For every tablespoon of vinegar, use 1 to 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Once you mix the two ingredients, simply spread the paste over the spots and let it sit for anywhere from 5 to 15-minutes. Next, simply wipe it with a damp cloth and rinse it off.
Toothpaste
Another cheap method to remove water stains from glass is by using regular toothpaste. You can apply it using a toothbrush and then gently scrub the paste onto the glassware. Once the stains are gone, clean the glass off with soapy water, making sure to wipe off the paste thoroughly and then rinse it off.
Soapy Water & Vinegar Solution
Combining vinegar with soapy water can make a fast way to get rid of limescale stains on glass. To use this method, combine one cup of white vinegar with a cup of warm water in a large bowl. Next, add a single drop of dishwashing liquid to the bowl and let the glassware soak in it for about 10 to 30-minutes. Then, scrub the glassware with a soft sponge and rinse it off.
Water & Lemon Juice
You can also use lemon juice and water to help breakdown the calcium in glass water stains. To do so, take a large lemon and slice it in half and squeeze out the juice. Next, allow the glassware to soak in the juice for 5 to 7-minutes--no need to scrub it after. Next, rinse the glassware with water, and you'll notice how the once cloudy surfaces are now clear.
Do glass dining tables scratch easily?
It depends on if the dining table is made from tempered glass or ordinary glass. Glass that has not been tempered during its production will always be easily susceptible to knicks, chips, and scratches from everyday use. And once the surface has been damaged, it's simply impossible to make it look brand new again. Tempered glass, on the other hand, is way more durable and stronger. It holds up fairly well and can take a lot of abuse before scratches start to show on its surface.
How do you keep dust off black glass?
The seemingly constant dust accumulation can be the most annoying thing about having furniture with black glass surfaces. The glass's dark tone combined with its smooth, non-porous surface means that any and every piece of dust or debris will show up almost immediately. So let's look at a few ways to keep black glass dust-free.
Fabric Softener Sheets
The static-removing capabilities of fabric softener sheets make them an ideal solution for everyday dust accumulation. Simply take a fabric sheet and use it to wipe the dust off the surface of your black glass surface.
Buy fabric softener on Amazon.
Oven Mitts
Yes, oven mitts can be used outside of the kitchen. They work great for dusting not only black glass but any surface without leaving streaks or marks. Of course, you'll want to make sure that the oven mitt is clean and dry before applying it to any glass surface.
Paintbrushes
Paintbrushes are another great option for easy everyday dusting. They tend to work similarly to feather dusters and are awesome tools that can get in between the small crevices and spaces in your glass furniture. You can buy a set of paintbrushes for under $10, and they'll last quite a while if used for dusting alone.
Pantyhose
Probably one of the more inexpensive options, pantyhose also make for great dusting tools. Another awesome thing about them is that they can be rewashed and used again. Debris and dust naturally cling to nylon materials, which means you won't need a lot of elbow grease when using them.
How do you protect a glass top dining table?
Protecting your glass dining table is essentially all about prevention. Here are a few tips for providing daily protection for your glass table:
- Always use coasters when placing beverages on your glass dining table, regardless of the type of material they're made from.
- Use placemats for your dining plates, bowls, and utensils whenever possible.
- Trying to avoid placing objects that contain rough bases or sharp corners, as they can easily scratch the surface of your table and potentially dull it over time.
- If moving the table to a new location, always cover it with a thick fabric, ensuring that all of the edges are completely covered and then taped up.
- Remove smear marks, dirt, spilled food/liquids, and debris from the table immediately to prevent permanent stains from forming.
- Never use abrasive cleaners (including acid and ammonia) on the surface of your glass table.
- Avoid using cleaning cloths containing lint on your table; instead, opt for microfiber clothes or everyday newspapers.
Wrapping Things Up
Keeping a glass table clean may require a bit of effort, but it's worth it. We hope that we've provided you with easy enough to follow steps to help you keep your dining table streak-free and in overall tip-top shape.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other posts:
It’s good to know that coasters and placemats should be used to avoid damage to our glass dining table. My sister is looking for a company to make a custom glass tabletop to compliment her modern-style home. I’ll share this info to help her avoid common issues and keep the glass dining table in good condition!