How to Clean a Glass Table

Co-authored by Raymond Chiu and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: February 19, 2022 References

Glass tables are a beautiful addition to any home, but it’s frustrating when they get dirty. Streaks and leftover cloth lint may seem like a never ending cleaning nightmare, but don’t fall into despair just yet. Taking the proper preventative measures can keep your glass dining table looking fresh throughout the year, while baking soda and vinegar or spray-on agents provide easy, no-hassle cleaning options.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Baking Soda and Vinegar

1
Pour equal amounts of water and vinegar into a small container to use later. Mix the water and vinegar together to create your cleaning mixture. The amount you make depends on the surface area of your glass tabletop. Start out by mixing 1 cup (0.24 L) of water and vinegar together, and make more later if you need to. Set the mixture aside while you prepare the baking soda paste.^{[1]
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2
Stir 0.5 cups (0.12 L) of baking soda and at least 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of water into a paste. Mix baking soda and water together in a small bowl until they form a thicker substance. You’ll be using this to clean off your glass surface. This is a great method if you want to clean without any hard chemicals.^{[2]
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3
Spread the baking soda mixture onto the table with a sponge. Use circular, sweeping motions to rub the paste mixture over the table after dipping the sponge into the bowl. Be as thorough as possible, and make sure that you’ve covered the entire glass surface.^{[3]
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- Use a soft sponge that won’t leave any marks or scratches on the glass. Avoid materials like steel wool when you go to spread the baking soda.
4
Dip your sponge into the vinegar mixture and rinse off the table. Soak one end of the sponge in the vinegar solution and wipe off the table in long, broad strokes. Continue until you remove all of the baking soda. Depending on the size of your table, this may take several minutes to complete.^{[4]
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- When you work near the edges of the table, consider holding a small basin or bucket to catch any vinegar that drips off of the table.
5
Wipe a squeegee down the glass and let the surface dry. Take a plastic squeegee and run it down the table in long, straight lines. Work in a grid pattern to remove any of the extra fluid from the table. Let the table air-dry once you’ve finished cleaning it.^{[5]
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- Continue using a spare container or bucket to catch any excess fluid.
- You can buy a squeegee in the car supply section of a store, or you can purchase one online.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Spraying with Glass Cleaner or Vinegar

1
Spray the glass cleaner onto the tabletop. Use as much product as the bottle specifies. Make sure that you spray enough to cover all areas and corners of the table. If there’s any obvious debris stuck to the table, wipe it off with a microfiber cloth or other soft material before spraying on the cleaner to help prevent streaks.^{[6]
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- You can also use a tiny squirt of dish soap on a wet paper towel if you don’t want to use a cleaning spray.
2
Use white vinegar if you’d prefer not to use a glass cleaner. Vinegar can be effective in removing dirt and grime from a table. Pour a small amount of white vinegar into a small spray bottle for easier application. Spray enough so that the table’s entire surface is thoroughly covered.^{[7]
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3
Wipe the glass in long, circular strokes to clean it completely. Take a microfiber cloth to rub the cleaning solution into the surface of the table. Be sure to wipe with a material that won’t leave lint behind, as lint can make your table look dusty and leave streaks.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Taking Preventative Measures

1
Place coasters under beverages to keep drink residue from appearing. Put your drinks on coasters to keep any pesky, telltale rings from forming on the surface. Have at least a dozen on hand in case you have company over. Materials like cork and sandstone are great because they don’t adhere to glass.^{[9]
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- If you don’t want to use a lot of small coasters, consider putting a tablecloth or runner over the table instead.
2
Wipe off small blemishes with newspaper. Clean off your glass table in small, round strokes with a small piece of newspaper if something spills. Newspaper is naturally absorbent, and the ink can help coax some stubborn messes off of the surface. You can use newspaper instead of a microfiber cloth when you apply any cleaning products, too.^{[10]
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- Rub a small, cheap glass mirror with the newspaper first to make sure that the newspaper doesn’t have harsh ink that will damage your table’s surface.
3
Clean your table regularly to keep it looking fresh and shiny. Wipe down your glass table periodically so you don’t have to wipe off a lot of grime and dirt at once. Set aside a few minutes each week or month to clean the glass, depending on how often you use the table.^{[11]
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- If you live with multiple people, consider alternating the cleaning duties.

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Question

What cleans glass the best?

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Raymond Chiu is the Director of Operations for MaidSailors.com, a residential and commercial cleaning service based in New York City that provides home and office cleaning services at affordable prices. He has a Bachelors in Business Administration and Management from Baruch College.

Raymond Chiu

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

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Vinegar or dish soap are good options. Try a mixture of warm water and one to two tablespoons of white vinegar. You can also use a couple of drops of dish soap. Wipe the solution around the wooden table with a soft cloth, reaching the sides and legs too. Use a damp cloth with water to rinse off the solution and finish by completely drying the table so that it doesn't warp.