Window Cleaning
How to Clean Impact Windows Without Damaging Them
By Solpath Window Detailing · Published · Updated
Impact windows are cleaned like any good-quality glass: rinse, wash with a mild solution, squeegee and detail the edges by hand. The care goes into what surrounds the glass. Keep pressure washers off the frames and seals, clear the weep holes in the sill, and never scrape a dry pane. Haze or bubbles inside the glass mean a failed unit, not dirt.
What makes impact glass different
Impact glass is laminated: two layers of glass bonded to a tough plastic interlayer that holds the pane together when it breaks. Many units are also insulated, with a sealed air space between panes, and many carry a coating that controls heat.
None of that changes how the outside face is cleaned. It does change what a mistake costs. Impact units are expensive to replace, and most of the harm people do to them is to the frame, the seals and the drainage rather than the glass.
How to clean them
- Rinse first to float off sand and grit, so nothing gets dragged across the glass
- Wash with a mild, non-abrasive solution and a soft applicator
- Squeegee from the top, then detail the edges and corners by hand
- Wipe the frames and sills separately with a damp cloth
- Vacuum the sill track while it is dry, then clean it and clear the weep holes
What to avoid
- Pressure washers on the frames, seals or glazing beads
- Abrasive pads, scouring powder and steel wool
- Scraping a dry pane with a blade
- Ammonia-based cleaners on glass with an aftermarket tint film
- Solvents on the rubber gaskets
Weep holes matter more than the glass
Impact sliders and windows drain through small weep holes at the bottom of the frame. When the track packs with sand and debris, water that should drain out during a storm backs up and finds its way inside.
Clearing the track and the weep holes is the most useful thing you can do for an impact window before hurricane season, and it takes a few minutes per opening.
What cleaning cannot fix
| What you see | What it is | Can cleaning fix it? |
|---|---|---|
| Fog or moisture between panes | A failed seal on an insulated unit | No |
| Cloudy edges or bubbles inside the glass | The interlayer separating from the glass | No |
| A crack with the pane still in place | Laminated glass doing its job | No, the unit needs replacing |
| White spots on the outside face | Hard water or salt deposits | Usually, if treated early |
| Haze that wipes off | Salt film or grime | Yes |
