Can I Clean The Stained Glass Windows On My KC Home Myself?
Can I Clean The Stained Glass On My Kansas City Home Myself
We get a lot of questions here at Kansas City Stained Glass both from people who have stained glass or want stained glass and we are always happy to answer them! Probably the biggest question we get from people who have stained glass is on how to care for the glass they already have. Keeping your glass free of dirt is a good way to keep it looking good for a long time and keep grime from building up on it. You can do this simply by lightly running a dry soft cloth over it, every now and again. However, to get off build up that may already be on your window there is a fairly simple process to follow that will have your windows looking bright again in no time, providing they are not too dirty (which may require a professional cleaning). The steps below are a starting point for a home cleaning but we cannot stress enough–if there is too much buildup or any type of structural damage at all please leave it to a professional like us at Kansas City Stained Glass.
Steps To Cleaning Your Kansas City Home’s Stained Glass
- Start by running a soft dry cloth across the glass. Stained glass is actually very durable but use care as older windows may have loose panels. If you come across a broken, cracked or loose pane of glass be sure to call Kansas City Custom Stained Glass to repair the piece and finish the cleaning.
- Once the bulk of the dust and dirt has been removed with a dry cloth, switch to soap and water. Make sure to use an ammonia-free, vinegar-free, non-abrasive, pH-neutral cleaner
- Start from the top of the window and work your way down, cleaning each pane within the leaded frames individually. Feel free to scrub but do not press on the glass too hard, lest it cracks.
- After you finish each panel, go back with a cotton swab to clean the by the leaded perimeter using a circular “scoop and lift” method to get the grime by the lead.
- Dry the section you cleaned with a soft, lint-free cloth and move on to the next section
*Don’t forget to put a towel down on the ledge of your window to keep the water from ruining your wood frame.
**Also Be aware that leaded glass windows contain lead, which can be dangerous to you and especially to children when it is ingested or becomes airborne. As such we recommend wearing gloves and using proper disposal techniques for any cloth, swab, water or container used in the process.
Kansas City’s Stained Glass Expert
This simple process takes a little bit of time but with a little patience and good old fashioned elbow grease, your window will look fantastic when you are done. As we mentioned the best way to keep your windows looking great is prevention–keep them clean and have Kansas City Stained Glass repair any damage as soon as it occurs. Contact us with any question or to schedule a cleaning or repair today
Martin Faith
Martin Faith is from Glasgow, Scotland, the stained glass capital of the world. Martin has been practicing the art of making stained glass windows for over thirty years and is a collector of antique works. His excellent craftmanship and extensive knowledge of the art form, including the required techniques for glassmaking, styles, and history of stained glass make him an expert in his field. Martin owns one of the largest stained glass window studios in the country. The company specializes in stained glass repair and restoration, religious stained glass, commercial stained glass, and custom residential stained and leaded glass. Together, Martin and his team have created hundreds of stained glass windows for homes and buildings in the Kansas City area.
