As a professional window cleaning and after builders cleaning company, we are required to continually work with glass suppliers to ensure we are up to date with the latest glass technology. One type of glass which is becoming increasingly common when it comes to new home construction in Sydney is Low E Glass.
It’s made the same as standard glass but has a thin metallic oxide film fused to one side of it (usually facing inside) and this coating can be an inexperienced window cleaners worst nightmare.
The glass was originally used in commercial office buildings due to it’s ability to increase energy efficiency (by reducing heat loss) and is starting to become a popular choice for residential homes (prevalent in new homes built in Sydney’s North Shore) due to it’s ability to reduce the amount of UV rays, heat and glare coming into the home when compared to standard glass.
The outside of Low E Glass can be cleaned like standard glass (eg. Squeegee) but the insides requires special care due to the metallic oxide coating.
DO NOT use the following things on the metallic oxide coating –
- Abrasive Cleaners
- Ammonia based products
- Powder based cleaners
- Alcohol based products
- Harsh Alkali or acid based cleaners (unless under special circumstances outlined below)
- Scrapers, Blades or Squeegees
- Metal based objects like scourers
Routine Cleaning
Follow this process for general routine cleaning to remove dust and fingerprints by using one of the following cleaning solutions –
- Plain water
- Water with a little dish detergent (soapy water)
- 10:1 Water to Vinegar Solution
Directions
- Use a spray bottle filled with water and spray generous amount onto the glass from top to bottom removing dust and dirt particles
- Fill another spray bottle with soapy water (dish detergent and water) and spray down the glass with it
- The 10:1 water to vinegar solution can be used instead of the soapy water if you have stubborn stains
- Rinse with a generous amount of plain water
- Remove excess water with a lint free cloth – The trick to having streak free Low E Glass is to leave a thin film of moisture on the glass after cleaning leaving it to evaporate (ensure it’s just a thin film, no drips!)
Source: Simpo Cleaning