It’s probably been a while since you last cleaned the windows of your house. It makes sense; you mostly focus on keeping the inside of the home and the yard looking good but rarely consider cleaning the outside of the house. This needs to change, since unwanted things can grow on your siding, and dirty windows make it harder to get the sunlight in your home.
Plus, cleaning can bring problems to your attention and get you to schedule a window well replacement Fort Collins when necessary. You need to take this house cleaning journey one step at a time, though, so start simple: clean your windows first.
Choose Your Cleaner
The first step in any cleaning project is choosing your cleaner. This obviously relates to the actual cleaning product but it also applies to what tool you’ll use. After all, a cleaner only works if it can reach every corner and be wiped away before it dries and leaves its own mess.
For the cleaner, you can choose your preferred brand from the store or make your own. The latter is pretty simple; mixing some water, vinegar and soap together in a spray bottle will create a simple yet effective cleaning solution. Whether you use this homemade stuff or a store-bought solution is up to you, but weigh each one’s pros and cons before you decide so you know you’re making the best decision for your needs.
From here, simply choose your tool. Squeegees, cloths and paper towels are the most common options, though each has their own faults.
Using paper towels, for example, is simple but wasteful. They also sometimes create more problems than they solve thanks to leaving lint behind. Squeegees cover a large area but push the cleaner around, leaving you needing a towel or cloth to wipe it up afterward. They also don’t work on the sill or frame.
Cloths are reusable, easy to use and can get the spots that squeegees miss. It’s likely best to use both cloths and a squeegee, but you can stick to cloths if you prefer. Just make sure it isn’t too rough, or you may scratch the glass.
Start Cleaning
Once your cleaners and tools are ready, it’s time to start cleaning your windows. Once you’ve selected your windows, start by removing any dust and debris like cobwebs from the frame. If you’re doing this outside, pay attention to where you are.
If you’re near trees, you can expect some leaves, seeds, or even bugs to be there. Window frames near flowers may have collected a lot of pollen. And, of course, all frames are the perfect homes for spiders. Don’t get too spooked if you see these things on the frame unless it’s a nest for a stinging insect. If you find one of these, stop cleaning and make removing that nest your priority, or you risk being stung.
All window surroundings, including blinds and curtains, need to be cleaned before moving on. Once they’re dealt with, though, it’s time to clean the glass. Spray a healthy amount of cleaner on the glass and start wiping. If using a squeegee, make sure to get every edge as best as you can, starting from the top.
For cloths, try and get as much of the cleaner as possible in every swipe. If streaks appear, go over the spot again with more cleaner and wiping until it’s taken care of. You know you’re completely done when the window itself, its frame and the sills are spotless and the glass is clear.
Get High Windows
Windows on the ground floor are pretty easy to clean. So easy, in fact, that any hesitancy you may have when cleaning your windows likely doesn’t come from them; it stems from the higher windows.
Whether they’re just there for additional light and decoration or are the windows for the second-story bedrooms, cleaning windows that you can’t reach from the ground is always daunting. Luckily, this can change thanks to telescoping cleaning tools.
Instead of hopping on a ladder and cleaning the windows the same way you would on foot, you can simply put your cleaning solution into a bucket, dip the telescoping squeegee into it, and then increase the pole’s size until it reaches the problem window. However, this won’t work for everyone.
It is generally safer than using a ladder, but it requires some upper body strength and flexibility. If your arms or shoulders make this technique unviable for whatever reason, then you can simply use the regular method while on a ladder instead. Make sure you follow safety procedures no matter which method you use, or you could wind up getting badly hurt.
We hope you found this blog post on A Guide to Cleaning Your Windows, useful. Be sure to check out our post on Know About Cleaning Windows In High-Rise Buildings for more great tips!
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