How to Clean Glass Balustrades

Glass balustrades are a popular choice for both residential and commercial spaces, and not without reason. They give staircases a sleek and modern look while providing safety, unobstructed views, and ample light flow.

However, glass balustrades may accumulate dust, fingerprints, smudges, and other forms of dirt over time. This can dull their appearance and compromise their visual impact, which is why cleaning is essential to maintain their beauty and clarity.

At Stairway Joinery, we supply a range of glass balustrades and love how they look when framing staircases; however, we know how a grubby glass balustrade can ruin appearances. Fortunately, they’re very easy to keep clean – keep reading to find out how!

What are Glass Balustrades?

Glass balustrades are transparent railings made of tempered glass. They’re most commonly used in balconies and staircases, and they provide safety, a modern appearance, and unobstructed views. The glass is durable, shattering only into blunt fragments if broken, and is generally held in place by metal or stainless-steel hardware.

Glass balustrades can be customised to match different staircase designs and are popular in modern architecture.

Why Clean Glass Balustrades?

Due to their transparent appearance, glass balustrades can collect dirt from a variety of places. Fingerprints and dust are the two primary offenders, causing these staircase glass panels to look dull and smudgy.

Regular cleaning helps maintain the pristine appearance of staircase glass balustrades by removing dirt, dust, fingerprints, and smudges, enhancing their overall aesthetic appeal.

Cleaning glass balustrades is also important for safety reasons. When dirt and smudges accumulate, they can obscure the view through the glass, potentially causing hazards and compromising the functionality of the balustrades. By keeping the glass clean and transparent, you ensure a clear line of sight and maintain a safe environment, as well as allowing for maximum light in your property.

How to Clean Glass Balustrades

Cleaning staircase glass balustrades is a relatively simple task that can be done with basic household cleaning supplies. There are a range of chemical and natural cleaning methods that will be effective. No matter which route you take, a soft microfibre cloth will be your best friend for achieving a smudge-free finish.

Take care when cleaning stairways and always make sure you have safe footing before you begin.

Use Glass Cleaner

1. Choose a high-quality glass cleaner specifically designed for cleaning glass surfaces. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that may damage the glass.
2. Grab a soft microfiber cloth or a sponge. These materials are gentle on the glass and help prevent scratching.
3. Spray the glass cleaner directly onto the glass surface of the balustrade. Start from the top and work your way down.
4. Ensure the glass is thoroughly coated with the cleaner, focusing on areas with visible dirt, smudges, or fingerprints. Allow it to sit for a few seconds.
5. Take the microfiber cloth or sponge and begin wiping the glass surface in a circular motion.
6. Pay special attention to any stubborn spots or marks, applying gentle pressure as needed to remove them.
7. Continue wiping until the glass is clean and streak-free. If necessary, you can use a dry portion of the cloth to polish the glass and remove any remaining streaks.

Use Soap and Water

1. Fill a bucket or container with warm water.
2. Add a small amount of mild washing up liquid soap to the water.
3. Dip a soft sponge or microfibre cloth into the soapy water solution, ensuring it is thoroughly soaked but not dripping.
4. Start at the top of the glass balustrade and work your way down, applying the soapy water to the glass surface.
5. Use gentle, circular motions to scrub the glass, paying extra attention to any areas with visible dirt, smudges, or fingerprints.
6. Rinse the sponge or cloth in clean water and wring out any excess water to prevent dripping.
7. Use the damp sponge or cloth to rinse off the soap residue from the glass, starting from the top and working your way down.
8. Finally, use a clean, dry microfibre cloth to wipe the glass surface and remove any remaining moisture or streaks.

Vinegar and Water

Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that helps remove dirt and grime from glass surfaces.

1. Mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
2. Ensure you have a soft microfiber cloth or a sponge for cleaning the glass.
3. Spray the vinegar and water solution onto the glass surface of the balustrade. Start from the top and work your way down, covering the entire area.
4. Allow the solution to sit on the glass for a few moments to loosen dirt and grime.
5. Take the microfiber cloth or sponge and gently wipe the glass in a circular or back-and-forth motion. Focus on areas with visible dirt, smudges, or fingerprints.
6. After cleaning, use a dry microfiber cloth to remove any remaining moisture from the glass.
7. Buff the glass surface with the cloth to achieve a streak-free and polished finish.

Modern Staircases with Beautiful Glass Balustrades

With the tips above, you’ll be able to keep the glass balustrades in your home looking incredibly sleek and modern, without grubby marks affecting their appearance.

A spot of occasional maintenance is a small price to pay for the striking, contemporary appearance of glass balustrade staircase glass – at Stairway Joinery we love the way that our glass balustrades transform staircases, homes and commercial buildings.

With over 40 years of experience in designing and building bespoke staircases, we know a thing or two about staircase installation. If you’re thinking about getting glass balustrades in your home, to modernise your staircase’s appearance and improve light flow whilst maintaining safety, get in touch.

Call us on 01202 622826 or send us a message.