Glass that looks good stays looking good with the right care.

Squeegee after each use to prevent soap scum and hard water buildup. For a deeper clean, use a mixture of warm water and a few drops of dish soap or a non-abrasive glass cleaner. Apply with a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge, rinse, and dry with a lint-free cloth. For hard water stains, a 1:1 white vinegar and water solution applied with a soft cloth, left to sit briefly, then rinsed and dried, removes most deposits. Avoid abrasive scrubbers and harsh chemicals — they can damage the glass and the hardware finish.

A 1:1 mixture of white vinegar and water applied with a soft cloth, left to sit for a few minutes, then rinsed and dried, removes most hard water stains. For heavier buildup, repeat the process or let the solution sit longer. For glass with a protective coating, check the manufacturer's cleaning recommendations first — some coatings do not tolerate vinegar. Avoid vinegar on natural stone surrounds such as marble or travertine.

A fresh razor blade held at a shallow angle can remove stubborn deposits from bare, uncoated glass — but it is not safe on coated, tinted, or laminated glass unless you know the coating can take it. For most residential cleaning, a non-abrasive sponge and the right cleaner do the job without the risk. If in doubt, skip the blade and use a dedicated glass-cleaning product.

Soap scum and hard water minerals build up quickly on glass in areas with hard water — and much of the Texas Hill Country has hard water. A squeegee after each use is the single biggest factor in how long glass stays clean. Without it, the buildup bonds to the glass and becomes harder to remove over time. Once the buildup has etched into the surface, it may not come off with cleaning alone — at that point replacement is the right answer.

Use a clean, lint-free cloth or microfiber towel and a standard glass cleaner or a water-and-dish-soap mixture. Clean from top to bottom in overlapping strokes. Dry with a second clean lint-free cloth to avoid streaks. Clean in shade or during cooler parts of the day — direct sun dries the cleaner too fast and causes streaks. For large storefronts, a squeegee followed by a dry cloth works well.

Replace glass when it is permanently etched, crazed, or scratched to the point that cleaning no longer improves it. Replace double-pane windows when the seal has failed and you see fogging or condensation between the panes — the insulating gas is gone and the seal cannot be repaired in the field. Replace glass that is cracked, chipped, or has failed — safety and security come first. Call 210-370-3700 with a description or a photo and we will tell you whether the glass can be cleaned or needs replacement.