Have you made a decision on glass as your greenhouse glazing of choice? If you know how greenhouses work, then you know that maximizing the quantity of daylight that passes thru the glass and reaches your plants is a top concern. While there are numerous different "special" treatments that can be amalgamated into the glass in the producing process to increase light transmission potency "there's no single thing you can do to ensure your greenhouse glazing is operating to it's maximum potential as simply cleaning it.
Either side of your glass should be cleaned when you have the time. The exterior of the glass can become mucky with mud or dust. The inside of your glazing may become mucky with dirt as well (from perhaps some enthusiastic planting) but also maybe algae might begin to form on the inside of the glass due to the high humidity inside your greenhouse. In this example the cleaning serves a purpose beyond ensuring efficient light transmission "it purifies your greenhouse, which should aid in forestalling plant illness or pest infestation.
As with anything there are doubtless one thousand alternative ways to clean your glass greenhouse glazing, and I'm sure that everyone has their own special process. We've even heard of folk using vinegar and paper! If you have a preferred process or system, please comment below and share with the community here.
Our process for cleaning your greenhouse glass;
NOTE: To us it's vital to use only natural, mild cleaners when cleaning a greenhouse. We prefer not to have harmful chemicals not far from our food supply, and seriously recommend this tact for others too. Be sure to read all of the labels on the detergents you do select to make sure you are not putting you, and others, into harms way.
Outside of Your Greenhouse Glass
1. Take a sponge, and using warm or hot water, sponge the water onto your greenhouse glass. You may need a ladder so as to attain this. Please ensure that your ladder is tall enough as many DIYers have been hurt falling from the top rung of an un-braced ladder. Let the glass panels soak for 5-10 minutes in order to loosen up the dirt.
2. Now the mud is loosened, add some mild detergent to some warm water, and using your sponge, scrub the glass. So as to remove more determined mud you could need something that offers you more washing power. We've heard people have used toothbrushes. No matter what you decide to use, be cautious it is something that won't scratch your glazing.
3. Permit the glass to air dry.
4. Using a natural glass polisher, polish each glass pane by hand. When you need to dry the glazing you can use a dry cloth rag, or if in a pinch paper hand towels will also work.
Inside of Your Greenhouse Glass
1. For safety sake, water and electricity don't go well together. It's a great idea to disconnect your greenhouse's power supply while cleaning the inside to preclude being surprised. Or at least cover any outlets that will get wet.
2. In a bucket mix together some luke-warm water and mild detergent. You must also add some disinfectant to kill any fungus and mold and to inhibit future growth.
3. Permit the glass to air dry.
4. Using a natural glass polisher, polish each glass pane by hand. When you need to dry the glazing you can use a dry cloth rag, or if in a pinch paper towels will also work.
If you're going to be cleaning the inside your greenhouse during the colder weather months you have to be careful! The temperature difference of putting the lukewarm water onto the cold glass could cause the glass to crack.
As you can see keeping your glass greenhouse glazing clean is a vital upkeep activity for your greenhouse potency and satisfaction.
Either side of your glass should be cleaned when you have the time. The exterior of the glass can become mucky with mud or dust. The inside of your glazing may become mucky with dirt as well (from perhaps some enthusiastic planting) but also maybe algae might begin to form on the inside of the glass due to the high humidity inside your greenhouse. In this example the cleaning serves a purpose beyond ensuring efficient light transmission "it purifies your greenhouse, which should aid in forestalling plant illness or pest infestation.
As with anything there are doubtless one thousand alternative ways to clean your glass greenhouse glazing, and I'm sure that everyone has their own special process. We've even heard of folk using vinegar and paper! If you have a preferred process or system, please comment below and share with the community here.
Our process for cleaning your greenhouse glass;
NOTE: To us it's vital to use only natural, mild cleaners when cleaning a greenhouse. We prefer not to have harmful chemicals not far from our food supply, and seriously recommend this tact for others too. Be sure to read all of the labels on the detergents you do select to make sure you are not putting you, and others, into harms way.
Outside of Your Greenhouse Glass
1. Take a sponge, and using warm or hot water, sponge the water onto your greenhouse glass. You may need a ladder so as to attain this. Please ensure that your ladder is tall enough as many DIYers have been hurt falling from the top rung of an un-braced ladder. Let the glass panels soak for 5-10 minutes in order to loosen up the dirt.
2. Now the mud is loosened, add some mild detergent to some warm water, and using your sponge, scrub the glass. So as to remove more determined mud you could need something that offers you more washing power. We've heard people have used toothbrushes. No matter what you decide to use, be cautious it is something that won't scratch your glazing.
3. Permit the glass to air dry.
4. Using a natural glass polisher, polish each glass pane by hand. When you need to dry the glazing you can use a dry cloth rag, or if in a pinch paper hand towels will also work.
Inside of Your Greenhouse Glass
1. For safety sake, water and electricity don't go well together. It's a great idea to disconnect your greenhouse's power supply while cleaning the inside to preclude being surprised. Or at least cover any outlets that will get wet.
2. In a bucket mix together some luke-warm water and mild detergent. You must also add some disinfectant to kill any fungus and mold and to inhibit future growth.
3. Permit the glass to air dry.
4. Using a natural glass polisher, polish each glass pane by hand. When you need to dry the glazing you can use a dry cloth rag, or if in a pinch paper towels will also work.
If you're going to be cleaning the inside your greenhouse during the colder weather months you have to be careful! The temperature difference of putting the lukewarm water onto the cold glass could cause the glass to crack.
As you can see keeping your glass greenhouse glazing clean is a vital upkeep activity for your greenhouse potency and satisfaction.
About the Author:
Ej Martin is part owner of an internet site devoted to buiding DIY greenhouses, greenhouse building plans and all items topics around and about greenhouses inlcuding greenhouse foundations, greenhouse glazing, heating, cooling and venting
