By Matthew Bennett

Stained glass is a wonderful and unique architectural feature in many homes today. It is used in windows and doors. Stained glass is also commonly found in lampshades. Using stained glass brings in a touch of whimsy, art and color to any space.

Maintaining stained glass takes a little effort but since it only requires cleaning occasionally, it shouldn’t be a problem. A quick cleaning solution and a little elbow grease are all that’s required to restore your stained glass back to its original beauty.

Here’s how to clean and polish stained glass.

  1. Start by wiping down the glass with a soft dry cloth. Immediately, you’ll see a difference. You may dampen the cloth with a little water if the layer of dirt is stubborn. You will need a little water especially if your stained glass has not been cleaned in a long time.
  2. Use no ammonia, non-abrasive solution and low ph solution. You cannot use vinegar, as this will be too acidic. Look for natural based cleaning products such as a mild dish washing liquid or other mild all-purpose cleansers. You must read the ingredients list. Stay with milder and more natural products from brands such as Seventh Generation and Ecover.
  3. Put a few drops of your cleanser in a basin or small bucket of water. Distilled water is best so it won’t leave streaks on your glass. Give it a little swirl with your hand to mix.
  4. Line the base of the window or stained glass panel with towels or newspapers to absorb and drips. If you are cleaning a lampshade, unscrew the shade from the lap first and put it on a surface lined with a towel.
  5. Dip your soft cloth in the cleaning solution. Use just a little bit at a time. Do not soak your cloth or it will drip on your floor. Do not spray the cleaning solution directly on the glass. Apply the damp cloth to the stained glass and wipe in circular motions. Start at the top and work your way down. Treat your stained glass as a piece of art and handle it with care. Do not rub too hard or you may crack the glass accidentally. Just keep repeating the process until you are able to remove as much of the dirt and grime as possible. Rinse the solution off using water by rubbing it with a damp cloth.
  6. Work your way through the stained glass one panel at a time. Each color is separated by a strip of metal, so wipe down one section at a time.
  7. For hard to reach crevices, use a cotton swab dipped in your cleaning solution.
  8. Use another soft cloth to dry down your glass. Don’t let the water evaporate off your stained glass or this may leave streaking and other watermarks.
  9. Clean both sides of the stained glass if possible. The outside part will be significantly dirtier than inside. If you do don’t have access to the outside of your stained glass because it is too high, just be content with cleaning one side. You should already see a marked improvement.

Clean your stained glass at least once a year, or more often if you notice the build up of dirt. Light will now pass through more easily and so you may now enjoy the vibrant colors of the glasswork!