Window cleaning can be a tedious chore if you’re not smart about it. You’ll be surprised to know that you can save a ton of your time, money, and energy on cleaning windows when equipped with the right tips and tricks. If you clean windows for a living or simply for the sake of home maintenance, you’ll find this article extremely useful. Here we give a complete lowdown on the best way to clean windows together with the best cleaning tricks to try.
Contents
- 1 1. Clean Set-In Stains
- 2 2. Get Rid of Decals or Stickers
- 3 3. Clean the Screens, Inside and Out
- 4 4. Clean the Window Thoroughly
- 5 5. Dry Out Your Windows
- 6 Cleaning Tricks to Keep in Mind
- 7 Invest in High-Quality Washing Tools
- 8 Don’t Forget to Clean the Corners and Frames.
- 9 The Rubber Blade Should be in Contact with the Window
- 10 Use a Microfiber Cloth
- 11 Always Use an Effective Streak-Free Window Cleaner
- 12 Conclusion
1. Clean Set-In Stains
The first step to cleaning windows is assessing your windows for stains. Usually, windows suffer from hard water spots that seem impossible to remove. But it’s not as challenging as it may seem. An easy and quick way to get rid of stubborn stains is by applying a half water and half vinegar mixture. Soak a clean towel in the prepared solution and gently rub the towel over the rough spots on the window. Keep wiping until the spots fade away. Another way to eliminate stubborn spots is by using lemon juice, white vinegar, or a CLR cleaner. Add any of them on a sponge and give a good rub. Rinse away with water and proceed to the next step.
2. Get Rid of Decals or Stickers
Removing sticky objects such as stickers or decals from a window can be challenging. But all you need is a spray window cleaner and a sharp blade to do away with stickers and decals from your glass windows.
Spray a good amount of window cleaner on the sticker and around it. Using an edgy scraper, chip away the sticker/decals slowly. If you don’t have a window cleaner at home, you can use rubbing alcohol instead. However, with this one, apply rubbing alcohol and wait for a few minutes before getting rid of the sticky items from your window.
3. Clean the Screens, Inside and Out
Every time you clean the window, make sure to clean its screen from the inside and outside. First, detach it from your window and dust away the dirt using a clean cloth. Now, lightly spray both sides of the screen with water. Using a clean sponge or a lint-free cloth, wipe down the dirt, grime, or any other pollutant using a warm water-and-vinegar mixture. You can also use dish soap instead of vinegar. Air-dry it completely before fixing it back into the window.
4. Clean the Window Thoroughly
Now comes the main part – cleaning the window!
If you have small window panes, you can use a sponge. But if you have big windows, go for a squeegee. Dip your cleaning tool into the bucket filled with your preferred cleaner. You have various options when it comes to preparing a nice cleaning solution. Here are a few of them:
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- Mix two gallons of water with one teaspoon of dishwashing soap
- Mix four tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and vinegar, one tablespoon of cornstarch, and two cups of water
- Mix water and white vinegar in equal measure
5. Dry Out Your Windows
Once you have cleaned your windows with an effective window cleaner (mentioned above), wipe your windows with a dry cloth. Work your way from top to bottom, horizontally. Make sure you use a lint-free cloth to avoid presenting any unwanted marks on your window.
Cleaning Tricks to Keep in Mind
Now that you know the smart way to clean your windows, here are some important tips to remember while hard at work:
Invest in High-Quality Washing Tools
One of the tricks to get a spotless window is by using quality cleaning tools. Make sure the squeegee you use has a sharp rubber blade. If your squeegee leaves marks, don’t hesitate to replace the blade. If you’re buying a washing cleaner from a local store, check its quality before getting it.
Don’t Forget to Clean the Corners and Frames.
When cleaning windows, don’t forget the nitty-gritty. Make sure you wipe all the dust and debris from all the crooks, crannies, and window frames. This will prevent you from scattering the dust when cleaning the windows.
The Rubber Blade Should be in Contact with the Window
This is an important one.
While cleaning the window, press the rubber blade firmly against the window and then wipe down the entire window. If your rubber blade makes a lot of “squeaky” sounds, dip your squeegee into the cleaning solution some more.
Use a Microfiber Cloth
Not any cloth will do.
Go for a microfiber cloth as it soaks up the water and leaves no stain behind the glass. You can also use a good old newspaper if you like. It’s a great window cleaning hack that won’t disappoint you!
Always Use an Effective Streak-Free Window Cleaner
Here’s a recipe to make at home:
Mix ½ bottle of dishwasher rinses liquid, four tablespoons of rubbing alcohol, ¼ cup of ammonia, ¼ cup of dishwashing detergent, and 2 gallons of water.
Conclusion
Make window cleaning a look-forward-to chore with our easy-to-follow tips and tricks. Remember that window cleaning becomes twice easier if you have an effective washing solution and quality tools by your side. If you are not careful about your products, you may find yourself in hot water. So, be certain of all the tools you are using for cleaning your windows and perform the chore with aplomb!