How to Clean Your Greenhouse Glass? A Step by Step Guide
How to Clean Your Greenhouse Glass? A Step by Step Guide
About author
Tanya Cressey
Digital Marketing Assistant
Tanya is a skilled digital marketing assistant and photographer with a passion for aesthetics. She offers insights and inspiration for DIY enthusiasts, empowering them to embark on their creative journeys with confidence.
You've spent ages building your dream greenhouse and now it's time to keep those windows sparkling. But cleaning greenhouse glass can be a real pain if you don't know what you're doing. Grab your rubber gloves and get ready to scrub because, in this easy guide, we'll walk you through how to get your greenhouse windows crystal clear. From picking the right tools and products to learning the best techniques, we've got all the insider tips you need to get streak-free results every time. So roll up your sleeves and let's get cleaning - you'll be amazed at the difference it makes having spotless greenhouse windows. Your plants will thank you for letting the sunlight shine through!
Why is it Important to Keep Greenhouse Glass Clean?
Keeping your greenhouse glass sparkling clean is key to growing happy, healthy plants. Don't let a layer of grunge block the sunlight and hurt your plants! Let's go over why it's so important to clean the glass regularly:
Clean glass maximises light levels, allowing more sunlight to penetrate the greenhouse. This enhanced light transmission is crucial for photosynthesis and growth
Removing algae, moss, grime, dust and dirt from the glass eliminates things that can reduce light. Keeping the glass pristine improves the growing environment.
Direct sunlight is one of the best natural sanitisers. Unobstructed light helps kill pathogens and pests. Clean glass aids this disinfecting process.
Washing away mineral deposits stops the glass from becoming etched over time. This maintains clarity and light transmission.
Cleaning improves the aesthetics. Nobody wants to look at a dirty greenhouse! Keeping the glass immaculate makes your greenhouse more attractive.
It sets a good example for proper greenhouse hygiene. A scrubbed interior signals care and attention - important principles for plant health.
Regular glass cleaning is therapeutic and calming. It's a meditative ritual that many gardeners enjoy.
With a routine cleaning regimen, your greenhouse glass will let sunlight shine and keep your plants thriving beautifully!
Supplies You'll Need to Clean Greenhouse Glass
When it comes to cleaning the glass in your greenhouse, you don't need anything fancy. Just grab these simple supplies:
Warm water - Fill a bucket or spray bottle with warm water. The warmth helps dissolve and rinse away dirt and grime.
Mild dish soap - Look for an eco-friendly soap that's plant-safe. A small squirt of soap in your water is all you need.
Spray bottle - Use an empty cleaner bottle or plant mister to apply the soapy water. Adjust to a strong stream to target tough spots.
Soft cloths - Old t-shirts, microfiber cloths, or soft rags are perfect for washing and drying the glass. Avoid abrasive materials.
Squeegee - After washing, use a squeegee to scrape water off the glass and leave a streak-free finish.
Stepladder - To reach all areas of the glass, have a sturdy stepladder handy. Work safely and clean from top to bottom.
Rags - Keep some dry rags on hand to wipe up any drips and speed up drying time.
That's all you need to get your greenhouse glass sparkling clean using our environmentally friendly soapy water technique. Gather your supplies and get ready to let the light shine in!
Having the right tools makes the job quicker and easier. And with some elbow grease and warm, soapy water you can get your greenhouse glass crystal clear.
Cleaning Greenhouse Glass
On a mild, cloudy day when the greenhouse isn't in direct sunlight, hose down the exterior of the glass to rinse off loose dirt and debris. Avoid using a pressure washer which can damage the glass.
Make a cleaning solution by mixing a few drops of dish soap with water in a spray bottle. Or use a commercial glass cleaner.
Apply the cleaning solution liberally to the exterior of the glass using the spray bottle. Avoid cleaning in direct sunlight as the solution may dry too quickly.
Using a squeegee or soft cloth, wipe the cleaning solution over the glass surface. Wipe in overlapping vertical strokes from top to bottom.
Flip the squeegee or cloth and wipe again in horizontal strokes to remove any drips or streaks. Rinse the squeegee frequently.
Use a step stool or ladder as needed to reach all areas of the glass. Take care not to lean or push too hard on the glass.
For interior glass, repeat steps 3-5 working inside the greenhouse.
Rinse well with clean water and wipe any drips with a dry cloth. Check closely for any remaining dirt or streaks.
Allow the glass to fully dry before closing up the greenhouse for the day. The cleaning process may need to be repeated for stubborn dirt or buildup.
With the right products and techniques, keeping greenhouse glass sparkling clean doesn't have to be a daunting chore. A little periodic maintenance will let the maximum amount of light in for your plants.
Broken Glass? Replace with Acrylic or Polycarbonate
Over time, the glass panels of your greenhouse may start to get damaged or crack from weathering, impacts, and normal wear and tear. However, replacing traditional glass with acrylic or polycarbonate sheets can make your greenhouse glazing stronger and more durable.
Acrylic sheets are lightweight, resistant to weather and UV rays, and provide better insulation than glass. Acrylic is also easier to work with than glass when making repairs or alterations. Look for cell-cast acrylic, which is made from pure acrylic resin. It's more flexible and impact-resistant than extruded acrylic.
Polycarbonate panels are extremely tough – even bullet-resistant! This material won't shatter like glass and can handle heavy snow loads or hail storms. Polycarbonate sheets come in multi-wall or twin-wall styles with air gaps that improve insulation. Just be aware that polycarbonate can become brittle and discoloured over time when exposed to UV light.
For the roof, consider upgrading to an acrylic or polycarbonate panel system designed specifically for greenhouses. These interlocking panels are installed easily over your existing glazing. They diffuse light better than glass while still letting about 90% of light through.
When installing new panels, use silicone, polyurethane sealant or rubber gasket glazing to prevent leaks. A complete kit will include all the necessary hardware for attaching panels to your greenhouse frame.
Replacing broken glass with acrylic or polycarbonate is an affordable way to improve the performance of your greenhouse. The materials resist impacts, insulate better, and let in more diffuse light. Be sure to use sealants and hardware designed for greenhouse applications when installing replacement panels. Your plants will thrive all year long in a newly upgraded greenhouse!
So there you have it, a simple step-by-step guide to cleaning your greenhouse glass so it's crystal clear. Now you can let the sunshine pour in and give your plants the light they need to thrive. Just remember to be gentle with that razor blade and take all necessary safety precautions. With a little time and elbow grease, you'll have sparkling windows to admire your garden through. Try to clean the glass at least a few times per year to prevent too much buildup. Your plants will thank you for it with their vibrant colours and healthy growth. Enjoy your clear view and happy gardening!
This is such a great service. I'm thrilled with my purchases. I'm disabled and could not have managed to organise what I needed any other way. Thank you CutMy.
Bee Lilli ,
3 hours ago
Verified
Fast service
Fast service, good quality from the company - only let down by the delivery driver who couldn't fathom out how to lift a latch on a gate and just left parcel without attempting to knock or call.
Pat Collins,
3 hours ago
Verified
Excellent service
Excellent service, excellent ply
Bill Jarvis,
6 hours ago
Verified
Nice website and efficient service
Nice website showing the cut piece. Good prices and reasonably quick delivery (and well packed to reduce possibility of damage). This is my second order from CutMy.
Most importantly, the pieces were accurately cut using the specified material. i.e. no errors.
It couldn't have been better unless it was free :)
Frank,
6 hours ago
Verified
Great service from Cut My.
This was my first time using Cut My supplier to cut a piece of wood to a specific size. I am very happy with the service i received from them.
My order arrived safe, securely wrapped and in good condition.
I will recommend this supplier to friends and will use them again for this type of service.
Prisca,
8 hours ago
Verified
Perfect !
Really good, I’d forgotten to get one of the edges done and the helpline sorted it and sent the edging next day. Really nice quality
Sean Nugent,
7 hours ago
Verified
Excellent service
Excellent service, quick easy to order what you want cut to size. Nothing seems to be a problem.
Definitely recommend and will use again.
Michael Davison,
7 hours ago
Verified
2nd order hopefully delivery will be as…
2nd order hopefully delivery will be as good as the 1st one
jon allsopp,
7 hours ago
Verified
Good quality plywood delivered promptly and in good condition
Good quality plywood delivered promptly and in good condition
M from Birmingham UK,
7 hours ago
Verified
Parts cut exactly to size
Parts cut exactly to size, good quality, arrived on time and reasonable price.
Kevin Murray,
7 hours ago
Verified
Great company to deal with
Excellent value, great service and arrived extremely well packaged which is always a concern when ordering things that can easily be damaged. Highly recommend this company
David Farmer,
7 hours ago
Verified
Excellent service
Really easy to order the exact sizes of plywood that I needed and delivered quickly as well
D Bolton,
7 hours ago
Verified
Easy to use website
Easy to use website. All work competently carried out and packing exceptional. Highly Recommended.
PHILLIP STRAUSS,
8 hours ago
Verified
First Class Product & All Round Service
Excellent quality product. Easy to understand & use website coupled with good price & fast delivery. I would recommend this company.
Mr Tim Parrett,
9 hours ago
Verified
Perfect solution.
Great quality smoky perspex cut to the exact spec to replace actual glass on my coffee table in order to make it child proof. It fits perfectly and looks like the real McCoy! Saved me buying a new coffee table. Win, win👌
Placing order was very straight forward. Acrylic sheets arrived very quickly and extremely well packed with protective film either side.
The 4mm thick Acrylic sheets now installed, very clear and without scratches or marks. I would recommend this Company.
Michael Haley,
10 hours ago
New Shed Windows
I was initially a little worried about some of the recent negative reviews but based on my experience, I can't fault Cut/My's perspex service. Excellent quality materials, delivered on the day promised, size absolutely spot-on. My shed's now got new windows.
Robert Wood,
13 hours ago
Verified
Having made several purchases in the…
Having made several purchases in the past, once again it was top service and delivery. Recommend to get all your plastic from here
Fletch,
13 hours ago
Verified
Efficient
Efficient ordering process and prompt delivery.
Jonathan ,
16 hours ago
Verified
Great product
Great product. Super service
Roland,
16 hours ago
Subscribe to our email newsletter
Sign up here for our occasional email newsletter with new products, design ideas and discounts across our huge and growing range of products. (You can unsubscribe at any time of course.)