How do I clean 100 year old windows?
by
Sri9313451
+8
The Craftsman house I bought a couple of years ago has windows that don't look clear even after many washings. It's almost as if the window has a cloudy affect. I have spent many hours and lots of $$$ on window cleaners. This is my last resort for suggestions on how to clean cloudy glass windows.
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The seals may be broken. However heres a tip that I have found. Mix warm water with white vinegar,dawn detergent and jet dry. Apply liberally and allow to sit to remove in the hard water spots. Rinse and dry .
You may want to try one of those hand held steam cleaners. But glass does pit and erode with weather and time and can become cloudy and cannot be 'reground'. An electric car buffer may help some. If the glass is original hand made glass (look for tiny bubbles in the glass) you will want to keep them, no matter what.
Very carefully!
I used the old fashioned oven cleaner with ammonia many years ago. Stinky but it worked! Bought it at one of the Dollar stores. Just be sure to use gloves and have ventilation.
I used Lysol toilet bowl cleaner the one that removes lime & rust ( black bottle) . This was told to me by a window washer, I tried it and it works.
Some years ago I found out that WATER etches glass. Possibly that is your problem. And there is not a way to correct that without replacing the glass.
Is the glass perhaps cloudy because its surface has been roughened - not because it's dirty?
Did you try the black bottle Lysol toilet bowl cleaner? All you have to do it pour some on a sponge, do a small area at a time..... wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. My house was actually older then 100 years and due to screens & rain the glass got oxidized with this recommended Lysol method my windows are beautiful.