Having a glass top on your favorite table will really make it stand out. But glass is also notorious for showing every bit of dirt, food residue, and fingerprints. Once these things build up, your glass surface quickly loses that classy look. So, how do you make your glass tabletop look shiny again?
Wipe the glass table top with a dry lint-free cloth to remove dust and other non-sticky messes. Next, spray the glass surface with a mixture of water and white vinegar. Wipe it down with a microfiber cloth and dry it. To make it even shinier, gently scrub the glass with a crumpled newspaper.
A table with a glass top can lighten up a dull room by reflecting light, making it a great alternative to a regular wooden table. And if you take care of the glass surface properly, it proves durable and just as protective. Let’s get started so you figure out how to clean your glass table properly and restore that admirable shine.
What’s the Best Cleaner for a Glass Table Top?
The best cleaner for a glass tabletop is a mixture of water, rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol), and white vinegar. If your tabletop has acquired a filmy or cloudy look over time, it’s the best solution for a deeper clean.
You can make it at home with one cup of water, one cup of rubbing alcohol, and 1 ½ tablespoons of white vinegar.
Many people have mastered the trick of making a powerful homemade cleaner with these ingredients. They’re simple products, but they’ll make your glass tabletop look shiny and smudge-free with minimal effort.
You could also use commercial glass cleaners containing ammonia. Others have vinegar, a natural cleaning compound that’s effective at dissolving tough stains and restoring the shine on glass surfaces.
But if you like going green, you might be happy with natural cleaners in the market that use biodegradable ingredients like ethanol from corn or coconut.
Supplies You’ll Need
Grab the following items to help you clean your glass table top:
- White vinegar (on Amazon)
- Isopropyl alcohol (on Amazon)
- 2 Microfiber towels / lint-free cloths
- Old newspaper
- Baking soda (optional)
- Spray bottle (optional)
How to Clean a Glass Table Top
Follow these steps to clean your glass table top and watch that much-coveted sheen come naturally:
Step 1: Clear the Table & Put the Items in a Safe Place
The first step to getting that sparkling clean glass table top is to clear it and put the items in a safe place. If you use the table in the dining room, remove all table runners, cups, and plates. If it’s an accent or coffee table, take away all the coasters, decorative items, or books.
Step 2: Wipe the Surface With a Dry Lint-Free Cloth
It’s a good practice to remove dust and non-sticky messes first, so get two dry, lint-free cloths. Lint-free cloth won’t leave behind any fibers on the glass. Gently wipe across the top and underside of the table to remove particles like salt and dust.
Step 4: Clean With Hot Water and Vinegar
Fetch a small bowl of hot water (not boiling) and make a homemade glass cleaner by mixing equal parts water and white vinegar. It’s a great, environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional glass cleaners.
Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spritz it on the tabletop as you wipe gently with a microfiber cloth. While you’re at it, focus on sticky spots until your tabletop is clean and free from streaks.
If you have a problem with hard water minerals, white vinegar will come in handy since it can dissolve them. But if stubborn spots persist, first rub them off with a paste of baking soda. You can put a small dab on your fingertip and rub gently on tough spots.
Step 5: Dry the Surface With a Clean Microfiber Cloth
Once you’ve cleaned off all the sticky messes, dust, and fingerprints from the glass surface, it’s time to dry it thoroughly. You don’t want any streaks on the newly cleaned surface. Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to wipe down the surface until all the moisture is gone.
Tips for Keeping Your Table Top Shiny
The trick to removing any remaining dust and keeping the glass table top shiny is using newspaper! Simply crumple a sheet of old newspaper into a ball and wipe down the tabletop until you get that admirable sheen.
For best results, you can mix vinegar and water in a ratio of 1:2, spray it on the tabletop, and wipe it down with a lint-free cloth. Do this after you’ve scrubbed the glass surface lightly with newspaper.