Glass is the hardest surface to get right. A worktop can hide a smear; a window, mirror or wine glass can't. Microfibre cloths make glass cleaning quicker and use less product, as long as you use them the right way. This guide covers windows, mirrors, screens and glassware, at home and in a busy bar or hotel.
Why microfibre works well on glass
Microfibre is made from very fine synthetic fibres. They pick up dust, fingerprints and light grease and hold them in the cloth, rather than spreading them across the glass. Microfibre also sheds far less lint than cotton, which matters on a surface where every fibre shows. Our guide are microfibre cloths lint-free? explains why.
The two-cloth method
Professional window and hotel cleaners nearly all work with two cloths: one to clean and one to dry.
- Clean. Lightly dampen the first cloth with water or glass cleaner. Spray onto the cloth, not the glass, so you don't get drips running down the pane.
- Wipe. Work from top to bottom in an S-shaped pattern, overlapping each pass a little.
- Buff. Go over the glass straight away with the second, completely dry cloth until it is clear.
- Check. Look at the glass from an angle, against the light. Smears show up far better from the side.
Fold each cloth into quarters. A 40 × 40 cm cloth folded this way gives you eight faces, so you can turn to a fresh one as each gets damp or dirty. When the dry cloth starts to feel damp, swap it; a wet buffing cloth is the most common cause of streaks.
Where to use it
Windows and glass doors
Remove loose dust and cobwebs from frames and sills first, so they don't end up in your cloth. On very dirty outside windows, wash with a bucket and squeegee first, then use microfibre to finish the edges and corners.
Mirrors
Washroom mirrors often carry hairspray, toothpaste and soap. These need a damp clean before buffing; a dry cloth alone will just move them around. In commercial washrooms, keep mirror cloths in the colour your site uses for washroom basins and surfaces. Our post on colour-coded cleaning cloths sets out the common UK scheme.
Glassware in bars and restaurants
For polishing wine glasses and tumblers, many bars hold each glass by the base and polish with a dry cloth, using a little steam if needed. Keep glass-polishing cloths separate from cloths used to wipe tables, bar tops or spills. Plenty of hospitality businesses use one colour for glassware only. See microfibre cloths for hospitality for the products bars and hotels buy.
Screens and glass tables
Phones, monitors and TV screens usually only need a dry microfibre cloth. If they need more, use a cloth barely damp with water and check the maker's cleaning advice first. Never spray liquid straight onto a screen.
Car windows
Clean the inside of car windows with a clean, dry cloth set used only for glass. The film that builds up on the inside of windscreens smears easily, so expect to buff twice. Our guide to microfibre cloths for cars covers the rest of the car.
What about spectacles?
Searches for microfibre cloths for glasses are often about spectacles. Lenses often have special coatings, so follow your optician's advice. Most people use a small lens cloth with a lens spray. Our cloths are larger cleaning cloths, made for windows, mirrors, glassware and general cleaning rather than lenses.
Common mistakes
- Too much product. Extra cleaner leaves residue. A light mist on the cloth is usually enough.
- Cleaning in direct sun. Cleaner dries on warm glass before you can buff it, leaving streaks.
- Using a greasy cloth. A cloth that has touched polish, wax or kitchen grease will smear. Keep glass cloths for glass.
- Fabric softener in the wash. It coats the fibres and is a common cause of smearing.
Washing glass cloths
Wash glass cloths on their own, or with other microfibre, never with cotton towels, which shed lint into them. Use normal detergent without fabric softener, and air-dry or tumble dry on low heat. Follow any care instructions supplied with the cloths.
Which cloths to use
NICE microfibre cleaning cloths measure 40 × 40 cm and weigh 350 GSM. They come in packs of 24 in blue, yellow and pink, so you can give glass its own colour. Cleaning companies and hospitality businesses can buy them by the trade box of 12 packs. Request a quote for larger orders.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean glass with a microfibre cloth without streaks?
Use two cloths. Clean with one lightly damp cloth, then buff straight away with a second, dry cloth. Use only a little cleaner, avoid cleaning in direct sun and swap the dry cloth as soon as it feels damp.
Can you clean windows with just water and a microfibre cloth?
For light dust and fingerprints, water is often enough. Greasy marks, such as hairspray on mirrors or the film inside a windscreen, usually need a glass cleaner.
Are your microfibre cloths suitable for spectacles?
Our cloths are 40 × 40 cm cleaning cloths for windows, mirrors, glassware and general cleaning. For spectacle lenses, which often have special coatings, follow your optician's advice.
Why does my microfibre cloth smear glass?
The usual causes are a cloth that is too wet, too much cleaner, grease or polish left in the cloth, or fabric softener from washing. Keep glass cloths for glass only and wash them without softener.