How To Clean Frosted Glass

Last updated on June 5th, 2024 at 02:19 pm

Welcome to my article all about how to clean frosted glass!

Cleaning glass is not too difficult.

But frosted glass is a different matter.

It has a texture that makes dirt hard to remove.

If you have frosted glass in your home and are wondering how to clean it, this article will give you all the advice you need to know.

Let’s first discuss what frosted glass is before diving into the best ways to clean it!

What Is Frosted Glass?

Frosted glass can often be found in bathrooms and can be used in businesses for security purposes.

Frosted glass has a frosty look that lets light in but makes everything look blurry, so you can’t really tell what’s on the other side of it.

It’s a good way to protect your privacy.

The glass is made by sandblasting or acid etching a clear piece of glass.

The process creates a pitted surface on one side of the glass.

Opacity levels typically range from 10% -20%.

How to Clean Frosted Glass

There are a variety of methods that can be used to clean frosted glass. Here are a few examples.

With Ammonia

Ammonia and other alkaline based products are ideal for cleaning glass because the dry quickly and are unlikely to leave streaks behind.

Here are the steps you take to clean frosted glass with ammonia.

  1. Spray ammonia on glass, then let it sit for a few minutes. The ammonia will work to loosen up dirt and grime.
  2. Use a paper towel to clean the window. Wipe in a circular motion to prevent streaking.
  3. Follow up with a microfiber cloth to clean up the residue.

View glass cleaner on Amazon!

With Baking Soda

Baking soda is good for frosted glass that has more concentrated dirt.

Bathrooms tend to be high grime areas making baking soda the perfect solution for these parts of the home.

Here’s what you’ll need to do to clean frosted glass with baking soda.

  1. Mix up a solution of 1 cup water and 1 tbsp. baking soda.
  2. Apply it to the frosted glass with a paper towel.
  3. Wait a few minutes to allow the solution to loosen up the dirt.
  4. Use a paper towel to wipe it dry.
  5. Follow up with an ammonia or glass cleaner.
  6. Use a paper towel to wipe it dry.
  7. Repeat the entire process if you still see signs of dirt.

With Vinegar

Vinegar is effective in cleaning frosted glass that has turned yellow.

Yellowing can occur if the glass hasn’t been cleaned in a while.

If the glass is not yellow, another cleaning item may be a better option as the vinegar can damage glass that’s not that dirty.

To use vinegar, you will need to:

  1. Mix up a solution that is equal parts vinegar and water. Put it into a spray bottle and spray it on your frosted glass. Allow it to sit for a few minutes.
  2. Wipe the solution off with newspaper or paper towel.
  3. Rinse the solution with a damp cloth or by throwing a bucket or cup of water over it if possible.
  4. Allow to air dry.

How to Clean a Frosted Glass Shower Door

A frosted glass shower door can be cleaned with a regular glass cleaner.

However, there are certain steps you should follow to make the process as effective as possible.

Here’s what you should do to clean a frosted glass shower door:

  1. Spray a 2’x2’ section of your shower door with a glass cleaner. Make sure to use something labeled as a glass cleaner and not a multi-purpose cleaner. Going in small sections will ensure that the section is fully clean before you move on.
  2. Use a newspaper or paper towels to clean the shower door working in a circular motion.
  3. Rinse the surface. If you are working inside the shower, you can do this by throwing a bucket or cup of water over the area. If you are working outside the shower, you can apply a damp rag and keep rinsing it until the cleaner is rinsed off.
  4. Allow to dry. Dry times will vary but it will typically take around 30 minutes.
  5. Follow up with baking soda if necessary. If you still see grime on your shower door, you can mix up 1 tbsp. baking soda and one cup water. Apply it to the surface with a sponge or towel. Let it sit for a few minutes, then clean it with paper towels or newspaper before rinsing. Repeat if necessary.

How to Clean Frosted Glass Lampshades

Frosted glass lampshades are a whole different situation.

As you can imagine, you will want to be very gentle when cleaning these items.

Here are the steps you can take.

  1. Remove the lampshade. The way to remove the lampshade will vary depending on its design but it will typically involve taking out the setscrews that are holding it in place and gently taking it off its base.
  2. Fill your sink with warm water and a bit of dish soap. Let the lampshade sit in the solution for a few minutes to loosen dirt and grime.
  3. Use a gentle cloth to get the solution all over the lamp shade.
  4. Drain the soapy water from the sink and rinse the shade with warm water.
  5. Allow the shade to air dry and reattach it to the base.

View Frosted Glass Lampshades On Amazon!

What Not To Use On Frosted Glass

example of frosted glass

Example of Frosted Glass

When cleaning your frosted glass windows, it’s important to stay away from materials that are too abrasive.

They can strip the frosting from the glass and leave behind scratches and other types of damage.

Here are the materials you should avoid:

  • Citrus Cleaners: Citrus cleaners should be avoided because they are acidic, and they won’t do a good job of cleaning your glass.
  • Toilet Bowl Cleaners: Like citrus cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners tend to be acidic and won’t work on frosted glass.
  • Steel wool: Steel wool may scratch frosted glass.
  • Pumice Stones: Pumice stones can also leave scratches behind.
  • Abrasive or Heavy-Duty Pads: Any cleaning pad that’s listed as heavy duty or abrasive should be kept far from frosted glass due to its potential to cause damage.

How To Clean Frosted Glass: FAQ’s

How Do I Remove Metal Marks From Frosted Glass?

Metal marks can be removed with a wet piece of emery paper.

The paper will have a glass-like texture and it can be applied in circular motions to get rid of metal marks.

Can White Wine Be Used to Clean Frosted Glass?

White wine is a good frosted glass spot cleaner.

If you have stubborn stains on your frosted glass, dampen a corner of a rag with some white wine and target the affected area.

How Important Is It For Me To Protect My Hands While Cleaning?

Very! Not only will protecting your hands keep your skin safe from potentially irritating chemicals, but it will also prevent you from leaving behind fingerprints on the glass.

Should I Add a Waterproof Layer to My Frosted Glass?

Adding a waterproof layer to frosted glass will prevent water stains.

There are products available that spray on making them easy to apply.

How To Clean Frosted Glass: Conclusion

Frosted glass is ideal for protecting privacy and softening the light that comes into the room.

Cleaning it can be challenging, but the tips in this article will ensure the process is simple and effective.

I hope you’ve found this article helpful and informative!

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