Four Must-Have Tips for Cleaning Your Windows
While spring is the perfect time for cleaning your windows, these tips will keep things sparkling clean all year round.
Clean Before You Clean
Chances are good that there are things littering your window sills. Before it turns into a soggy mess when you hit it with water, get out the vacuum cleaner first. Get into all the crevices of your sill, plus the top corners up under the blinds or curtains. A stiff brush attachment will make short work of those cobwebs.
While you’re there, take a look at how things have held up over the winter. If your windows are older, do a quick inspection for any cracks or gaps. Spring is also a good time to do window replacement.
The Best Cleaning Solutions
While there are nifty blue bottles of glass cleaner at your local store, there are more environmentally friendly choices. Plus, what’s good on the inside might not work as well on the outside. Here’s what you should use where:
Inside: While the blue glass cleaners work, plain white vinegar may give them a little extra shine. Mix a 1/4 cup of vinegar in 2 cups of warm water and put it in a spray bottle. Not only is it cheaper, but it can also save you a trip to the store when you need more. Just check the pantry!
Outside: Warm, soapy water will get the dirt off both the glass and the frame. Just a small amount of dish soap is necessary—you don’t want too many suds.
To Paper Towel or Not to Paper Towel
Using a paper towel also depends on which side of the window you’re working on.
Inside: Paper towels can be ok, though some of the cheaper brands can leave lint behind. A microfiber towel won’t leave lint and it’s reusable. Pair that with your vinegar spray for a green cleaning win!
Outside: A squeegee will help you get that soap off quickly and easily. It gets a little tougher with multi-pane windows, since your squeegee might be bigger than the pane, but for picture windows, it will work like a charm.
Bonus Tip On Cleaning Your Windows
If you’ve got stubborn spots on the outside of your windows, a stain-specific product like Bar Keepers Friend might help you out. Just make sure you rinse it off well so your glass isn’t left cloudy. Be careful not to use an abrasive cleaner so you don’t scratch your windows.
If spring cleaning made you realize you need a window replacement, give Rite Window a call. For more than fifteen years, we’ve been one of Massachusetts’s premier window companies. We’d love to help you!
