Material
Glass
Glass needs stain treatment matched to its exact composition, coating and tolerance for moisture, chemicals and abrasion. Start with the mildest compatible route.
- SurfaceNon porous
- WashingSpot only
- Colour run riskLow
- Reviewed2 September 2026
What glass can and cannot take
- Heat Use with care
- Water and soaking Tolerates it
- Acids, including vinegar Tolerates it
- Strong alkalis Use with care
- Solvents Tolerates it
- Chlorine bleach Use with care
- Abrasives Avoid
Always test on a hidden area first and let it dry before you treat the visible mark.
General rules for glass
Use diluted washing-up liquid and a soft lint-free cloth, rinse and dry. Avoid abrasive pads and sharp tools, and do not assume a coated or printed surface tolerates solvent or strong alkali.
Check the label
Identify untreated glass, safety film, printed glass, mirror backing or an easy-clean coating. Edges and adjacent sealants may be less tolerant.
Stains on glass
- Body oil Lift free oil from glass, then clean a small area with a maker-approved mild detergent solution and a soft cl...
- Breast milk Blot the spill, identify the finish and use a controlled cold clean only where permitted. Where the maker per...
- Coffee Wipe coffee off glass promptly with a soft cloth. Check the finish and maker care rules first. Do not treat a...
- Cooking grease Lift and blot cooking grease from Glass, then use a small amount of diluted washing-up liquid only if the mat...
- Deodorant Lift loose deodorant from glass with a dry white cloth, then wipe the remaining film with cool water and one...
- Nail polish Lift free polish first. On identified plain uncoated glass only, a tiny permitted acetone spot treatment may...
- Tomato sauce Lift tomato sauce from Glass, then wipe or blot inwards with a tested cool detergent solution. Remove residue...
Glass can be damaged by a cleaner that is harmless on another surface. Identify the substrate, coating, finish and adjacent parts before treating a stain.
Use the least aggressive route
Use diluted washing-up liquid and a soft lint-free cloth, rinse and dry. Avoid abrasive pads and sharp tools, and do not assume a coated or printed surface tolerates solvent or strong alkali.
Judge only when dry
A remaining patch may be residue, a changed patina, coating loss or absorbed contamination. Stop if a hidden test changes colour, gloss, texture, adhesion or strength.
Sources
What we checked and when. Where a manufacturer instruction disagrees with anything here, follow the manufacturer.
-
MERLYN shower enclosure care
manufacturer
Shower manufacturer guidance recommends soapy water and soft cloths on glass and metal, complete residue removal and drying, and excludes abrasives while warning that acid attacks chrome.
Checked 2 September 2026
-
NEFF oven cleaning guide
manufacturer
Appliance manufacturer guidance distinguishes oven interior, door glass, enamel and extractor filters, and specifies cold-surface, product-labelled dwell times for grease deposits without scrubbing.
Checked 2 September 2026