Spring is right around the corner, which means your house is probably in need of a good cleaning. As more sunlight shines through your windows, you can more clearly see all the dirt and grime that has accumulated over the last couple of months. Yikes!
Don’t pick up your glass cleaner and rag just yet. Let’s talk about how best to care for your home’s windows and what to avoid. Our tips will help you keep your windows clean and in good shape for years to come.
Window Cleaning Do’s
Do clean all of the window’s parts.
Windows are constantly exposed to the elements: wind, rain, snow, and sun. Regular cleaning is an important part of window maintenance: it helps ensure that your windows keep working properly. If you don’t clean your windows, dirt and debris will eventually build up in the window track and make opening and closing your window difficult. Even worse, accumulated dirt can permanently stain window glass and damage window parts.
When cleaning your windows, make sure to clean all of the parts. This includes the window glass, windowsill, track, and screen. For best results, remove the screen to clean it. The glass should be cleaned on both the inside and the outside.
Do use the right cleaner.
There are tons of window cleaners on the market, so it can be tough to know which one to use. We have our own specially formulated glass cleaner product which works great on windows and can be purchased at any of our three location. You can also use a mixture of vinegar and water, glass cleaner, or even a mixture of dishwashing liquid and water. When cleaning, the most important thing is to wipe off the cleaning solution completely to avoid streaks.
Do use professional tools.
For a serious clean, consider using a pair of microfiber cloths (one for cleaning and one for drying). Microfiber cloths won’t leave fuzz on your windows, and they’re a more eco-friendly alternative to paper towels.
If you want a professional-looking clean, a squeegee is even better than microfiber towels. A large squeegee will almost guarantee that your window won’t have annoying streaks or smudges, and it will make the job go faster. If you do use a squeegee, make sure that the rubber is in good shape; otherwise, you might scratch the glass.
Window Cleaning Don’ts
Don’t use newspapers to clean your windows.
People started using newspapers to clean windows because they were accessible, cheap, and didn’t leave traces of lint or fuzz, like other towels. Today, however, newspapers are not the best cleaning option. Not only does newspaper do a poor job of wiping away cleaning fluid, its ink can easily smudge all over your windows. If you use newspapers, you’re just asking to have to clean your windows twice.
Don’t clean windows on hot, sunny days.
While the hot sun will make your windows dry faster, it will also make them more prone to streaking. If possible, clean your windows on an overcast day.
Don’t try to tackle all your windows at once.
Cleaning your windows is an important part of their maintenance, but it can be a daunting task—especially if your house has lots of windows or multiple floors. Instead of trying to do every single window in one day or weekend, split the task up into a couple of days. In addition to making the job easier, this will help you make sure the windows are actually clean (something that’s hard to do when you’re cleaning into the night!).
We hope these tips help! Still have more questions? Check out our blog or call the experts at Jack’s Glass for help.
