Cleaning old, stained glass pool fencing can be a challenge, but it is certainly not impossible.
Glass pool fences are generally installed on top of the pool deck by building a strong base (most often concrete), and then laying the glass panels in. The glass panels make for a perfect border for your swimming pool because each glass panel is see-through, so you can enjoy both your scenery and recreational activities without obstructions. However, if you do not want to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars getting new glass pool fencing installed every couple of years, you can easily clean your current glass pool fence cheaply and effectively with just a few household products that you probably already have around the house. Alternatively, one of our favourite tips is applying a glass coating on your pool fencing. This glass coating will protect your glass fencing from most dirt that may settle on it, making cleaning easier. Some off-the-shelf products for on your glass balustrade, fencing, or other glass items in and around your home and property can reduce cleaning time. The following are the steps you should take to clean your glass pool fencing. (Keep in mind that this is for bare glass - if you have a coating, check the product guidelines to make sure all chemicals mentioned are safe for use).
There are many products on the market specifically designed for cleaning glass panels, but these chemicals will work just as well. Furthermore, you probably already have the products mentioned in your home somewhere.
You can also use liquid soap if you don't have any hydrogen peroxide; it's effective either way.
The ratio should be roughly 10 parts dish soap to 1 part hydrogen peroxide (although this is not an exact science) and do not add too much liquid soap because you don't want the mixture to be sudsy or foamy when you clean your glass pool fence. When that happens, it creates small bubbles that could get caught under the grout lines, which makes them harder to remove.
Use a sponge or a microfibre cloth during the application of the solution to your glass pool fence, then begin scrubbing vigorously. You want to use some elbow grease because this isn't just for cleaning purposes; you're also trying to scratch off any dirt and mildew stuck in between the grout lines so you can get rid of them. But be careful not to put too much pressure on the glass panel you're working on, as it could cause it to crack or break if you press down hard enough. If glass panels do come loose during this process, they should be simple to pop back into place since they are held in by grout lines alone; there is no mortar holding them in. You can also use a toothbrush for this process, and it works just as well.
Once you have scrubbed the entire glass pool fence, rinse it down with clean water (you can use water from your garden water hose) to get rid of any chemical residue or dirt particles that may still be stuck on it (you don't want anything like that getting into your pool). Then, wipe the surface down with a microfibre cloth. Once the glass pool fencing looks clean and there is no more grime visibly clinging to the glass surface, you're done! The old glass balustrades and pool fencing should look brand new, and hopefully, stains won't come back again anytime soon. If they do start to reappear after a few weeks or months (depending on how often you use the pool), you can repeat the same steps and start cleaning them off again.
Cleaning your glass pool fencing can be surprisingly easy most of the time, but there are some exceptions. If you have moss or lichen growing on your glass pool fence, then you will need to use a chemical cleaner designed for that purpose instead of the one mentioned above. Many people may have the idea to use the chemicals mentioned above for cleaning coloured glass. However, it is essential to remember that these chemicals are not safe for use with coloured glass, so if you're cleaning red or blue glass panels and they start fading after exposure, don't blame me! They should never be used on coloured glass under any circumstances.
Algae and other traces of the environment can be a major nuisance to your pool, but it's not impossible to get rid of. The best way is to scrub the affected area with either chlorine or muriatic acid (you can find several types of bathroom cleaners and other similar products that have muriatic acid in them). Muriatic acid is a type of hydrochloric acid. You can also use vinegar but it takes longer than the others and doesn't work quite as well. However, if you want to avoid using chemicals, there are other ways to get rid of algae (and other stains from the environment) without resorting to harsher cleaners. You could cover the stained area with some cooking oil (it works almost like bleach) since this will prevent sunlight from penetrating the surface and activating more growth. Another option is mixing baking soda, lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide. Make sure to measure equal parts of each ingredient and mix until it forms a paste that you can apply directly to the algae. Leave it on for about twenty minutes, rinse it off with water from your garden water hose, and wipe the surface dry with a microfibre cloth - you should be all set! Algae and any other type of mould native to the area will usually grow back within a few days or weeks if not properly taken care of; you'll need to create a cleaning schedule of roughly once per week until they stop appearing (which could take anywhere from two weeks to two months depending on the weather, how often it's exposed to sunlight, and the environment around your pool area). If at any point during this process your glass pool fence begins deteriorating or starts looking dull, then that means too much acid is being used; ease up on what you're using and the stains should clear up in no time.
If you don't pour chlorine into your pool regularly, calcium deposits are almost inevitable. This is probably one of the hardest things to deal with on a glass fence since it tends to build up around the edges and corners of panels where they come in contact with each other most often. For cleaning these areas thoroughly, you should use either muriatic acid or bleach before trying anything else; this will get rid of any dirt that might be holding them in place so nothing gets in the way when you're finally ready to remove them. Once everything looks clear, use some baking soda mixed with vinegar until it forms a paste (measure no more than two parts baking soda for every part vinegar). Apply this mixture all across the panel where there are visible stains, and let it sit for at least one hour. You can leave it on longer if you want but anything more than three hours will have a pretty big impact on the overall look of the glass so take care not to overdo it. Once time is up, rinse off your glass pool fence with water from your water hose and scrub that area again with a microfibre cloth just to make sure all the paste has been removed. It doesn't matter what order you do these two things in as long as they're both completed before moving on to the next step. Finally, sprinkle some salt directly onto the calcium stains and let them soak overnight (or for at least six hours). In most cases, this should remove any noticeable residue from your pool fence but if there are some stubborn bits leftover after all that, then use a damp sponge to wipe them away.
Yes, but it's not quite as easy as removing calcium deposits. For starters, you'll need to mix vinegar and muriatic acid into separate containers before using them on your glass; then, place a rag or towel over the affected area and pour the relevant solution (vinegar for white stains, acid for yellow ones) directly onto it. Make sure that whatever you're pouring doesn't overflow since you don't want any of these chemicals getting inside your pool! Once you've done this, pick up the other rag/towel off the floor so it can be used to wipe away any remaining residue once everything has been allowed enough time to work. You should only have to wait about an hour or two before cleaning off your glass; this will prevent any further discolouration from occurring and get rid of the stains for good (and without ever having to scrub at them).
Be careful when using bleach when cleaning your glass pool fences and glass balustrades! If it gets on grass, shrubs, or mulch, then it can do some serious damage. Furthermore, make sure you rinse your glass pool fencing thoroughly after using such chemicals since they tend to leave behind a sticky residue that could attract dirt and grime in no time! Alkaline-based cleaners are usually your best bet since they're not nearly as harsh as acidic ones. Stick with stuff like baking soda mixed with vinegar instead of vinegar alone if possible - not only is it slightly harmful toward plants and other things that live outside, but it can often do more harm than good if you're not careful enough. Since most pool fences are made using glass, you should be able to get rid of any stains by simply wiping them down with a clean rag. You shouldn't have to scrub too hard or scrape at anything since this could cause the material to break up around the edges. Just make sure everything is dry before exposing your glass pool fence to natural elements once again!
Hydrochloric acid is another name for muriatic acid. It can be used to remove calcium deposits but it's not quite as good at buffering out hard water stains. It's not safe on grass, shrubs, or trees since any of that might end up discoloured if you accidentally get some of this near them. Furthermore, make sure you don't use too much of this stuff since it could cause your glass pool fence to rust otherwise! If any excess does get on the glass itself while you're cleaning it off, then rinse everything down with clean water from your water hose until all evidence has disappeared.
In order to keep your glass fence and its glass balustrade clean, make sure you clean your glass pool fence at least once every two weeks - more often in the summer when everything is hot and sticky. You may need to scrub each glass panel a little harder if it's been a while since the last time you worked to clean your glass pool fence, but that won't be necessary on most occasions. Make sure you're using the right cleaners. Sticking with alkaline-based ones can prevent any nasty staining from being left behind on the glass while acidic ones are only good for cleaning calcium deposits. Be careful when applying harsh chemicals, especially hydrochloric acid or muriatic acid. If it accidentally gets on grass, shrubs, or mulch, then there's a chance some damage might occur so always rinse everything thoroughly before reopening your pool! Don't use too much of anything either since - instead of helping you keep your glass clean - that will just make your glass pool fence rust. You should be able to get away with cleaning it more often than not but give everything plenty of time to dry up first if you do end up something strong enough to potentially corrode the glass. Additionally, if you're using a glass coating on your fence like Enduroshield, making sure to check the product guidelines before cleaning the glass with harsh cleaners. Always rinse things off with the water hose and dry them down after you're done using chemicals. If any residue is left behind, then it could attract dirt, grime, and other stains eventually so try to avoid doing that whenever possible - water makes it easier to get rid of these stains.
Baking soda and vinegar can be used to get rid of salt water staining. For more stubborn ones, you might have to mix up a solution with muriatic acid in order to get things looking brand new again. Of course, washing your glass pool fence regularly will definitely help since that'll prevent any build-up from occurring in the first place! You should also use a cleaner that's safe for glass in order to avoid causing too much damage around the edges when trying to scrub things clean again. If all else fails, then you may want to try buffering out those pesky stains with a poultice if you've got one handy. The only thing is that this could cause some discolouration instead which means it's not suitable for all surfaces. It doesn't work too well with salt deposition, since that's usually calcium deposits which you can remove using muriatic acid instead! Always rinse your glass pool fence thoroughly with water when you're done with anything involving chemicals to prevent corrosion. If any excess does end up on the glass itself, then wait until everything is dry before exposing it to natural elements once again! Covering your pool during winter might also help prevent damage from occurring along the way. If the stains on your pool fencing and glass balustrade are too difficult to remove, or you're concerned about the glass breaking, consider containing professionals instead. They'll be able to provide expert help and will be careful to ensure that there is no damage to the glass of your glass pool fence.