How to Clean Tinted Windows: A Guide for Homeowners

1. Invest in the Right Residential Window Tinting Products

Perhaps you're reading this article to learn about the level of maintenance that residential window tint would require if you installed it on your property. If so, then you should know that it's important to invest in the right window film for your house.

There are many different window film manufacturers out there, but only a few can exceed your expectations and give you a durable product for years to come. You should only invest in Vista Films or Llumar products. These two brands block 99.9-percent of all ultraviolet rays trying to make their way into your home.

If you're still on the fence about investing in residential window tint, you should know that it can offer such benefits as:

• Reducing glare in your house
• Lowering your monthly energy bills
• Reducing color fading on your furnishings, walls, and floors
• Offers more protection for you and your family
• Enhances the privacy of your home
• Strengthens the glass of your window (it won't shatter)

Find a trusted residential window tinting company to install the window film on your Atlanta home. By investing in a trusted window film brand and reputable installation company, you're lessening the need for DIY maintenance.

2. Avoid Harmful Cleaning Products

Full transparency, this is the main reason we wrote this article. We wanted to educate our clients on what cleaning products you shouldn't use, as they can be harmful to the window film on your residential windows.

Cleaning tinted windows are mostly about avoiding solutions with ammonia in them. This can prove to be difficult, since a majority of the store-bought cleaners, especially glass cleaners, contain ammonia. 

Ammonia and window film don't mix well together. If you use cleaning products that contain it, you'll likely notice a lot of streaks that are left behind. What's more, the repeated use of ammonia-based cleaning solutions will cause your window film's color to fade.

As it turns out, ammonia isn't just bad for your window film. It can also complicate your family's health. Breathing in too much of it can cause burning in the back of your throat. It can also irritate your eyes and nose. Better to just stay away from it altogether.



Thankfully, several glass cleaners offer an ammonia-free solution on the market. You can find these at your local home improvement store or online. 

3. Use the Right Equipment for the Job

For those of you that don't want to purchase store-bought cleaning solutions (even ammonia-free ones), there is another way! You can either mix vinegar or hand soap with water. We recommend going three parts water with one part hand soap for a perfect solution.

Once you have a cleaning solution that's safe for your window film, you'll need the proper cleaning equipment for the job.

Try to refrain from using cleaning tools with bristles or other hard surfaces. Instead, look for soft towels, microfiber cloths, lint-free cloths, or the like. 

Much like ammonia, using cleaning tools with rougher surfaces can leave scratches or streaks in your window film. Not only will this make the view less attractive, but it can also shorten the lifespan of your window film. By investing in the right utensils, you can ensure a beautiful aesthetic both inside and outside your home.

4. Apply the Cleaning Solution

Now that you have all of the right cleaning solutions and equipment that's safe for your window film, it's time to apply the cleaning solution.

If you created a cleaning solution at home, then be sure to pour it into a spray bottle. Go one window at a time, spraying the solution by starting at the top and going all the way down. Let the solution sit for a minute or two, then wipe it up with your microfiber or lint-free cloth.



Once you've finished all the windows in one room, do a spot check to ensure no streaks were left behind. If they were, give that window a once over.

5. Spray With Water

Did you know that water has cleaning powers all by itself? Sometimes, we as homeowners invest too much trust into cleaning solutions that contain chemicals. When, the truth is, it's the water that's doing all the work.

Both the oxygen and hydrogen that are found in water (H2O) are essential to keeping your residential window film in pristine condition.

For that reason, make sure to spray down each window with a bottle sprayer that contains only water, then wipe it up with a dry microfiber cloth.

How to Clean Tinted Windows: Invest in the Right Products

Now that you have seen how to clean tinted windows once they're installed on your Atlanta home, use this information to your advantage.

Be sure to read this article for more information on Solarworks Glass Tinting and our standards for providing window tinting in Georgia.

To get started, please feel free to call us at 770-664-4100 and we will be happy to assist you further.