There’s a reason why it’s called “spring cleaning”! Now is the perfect time to throw open the windows, air everything out, and clean everything in your home. Because it’s not too cold or too hot – but just right! – you can open your windows with confidence to clean them. The other reason for choosing spring for window cleaning is that winter is brutal on your home’s exteriors, especially your windows. Now you have to address that damage and do a full cleaning.
Check out our screen and window cleaning tips for homeowners.
How to Clean Windows
First, you need the right supplies. Make sure you have:
- Squeegee
- Clean, dry cloths
- Spray bottle of window cleaning solution or
- Warm water and vinegar solution
- Vacuum w/ brush attachment
Some windows are easier to clean than others, such as casement windows which crank out and double hung windows that tilt in. You can easily clean our Bristol window glass with a solution of vinegar diluted with water or commercial glass cleaner. You shouldn’t use standard all-purpose cleaners because they can actually scrape glass due to certain elements contained in them.
Now that you have the supplies, here’s what to do:
- Use the brush on your vacuum to get the dirt out from the tracks and in between the blinds. An alternative is to use a feather duster or microfiber cloth to clean delicate blinds.
- Wield a dry rag or microfiber cloth to remove loose dust from the window’s surface. If you take the time to do this, you will make things easier on yourself later. Got caked-on dirt? Break it up with an abrasive pad.
- Spray on the solution, using a squeegee to remove it. Alternatively, you can wipe it off in a gentle, up-and-down or side-to-side motion donning a microfiber cloth.
- Avoid wiping in a circular motion. This can build up a static charge that actually attracts more dust to the surface.
- Choose a warm, overcast day to clean your windows so they don’t dry too quickly and develop streaks.
How to Dry Windows
Once you’ve washed the windows, you have to make sure they dry properly. Grab a clean rag or microfiber rag and rub the windows in an up-and-down motion, even getting all those little corners. If there’s any remaining water on the glass’ edges, wipe it up with a damp chamois. Go over the windowsill with a rag to dry it off.
How to Clean Screens
You can’t neglect the screens in the window cleaning process. After all, what good is it if your windows are shiny and bright, if you have dirty and dingy screens over them? Here’s what you can do:
- Remove them carefully.
- Prop them up against the outside of your house.
- Gently hose them down and use a non-abrasive brush and household cleaner to lightly scrub off the cobwebs and dirt.
- Let them dry completely while you tackle the cleaning of the actual window.
- Re-install.
Just so you know which screen goes where, prop each one up underneath the window they belong to.
Do Your Windows Need More than Cleaning? Contact Rescom Exteriors
If a good cleaning just isn’t going to cut it for your old windows, come to us for new ones! We work with Bristol windows, made right here in the United States. We are proud of our wide selection of window styles, shapes and colors, so now’s the time to install new windows that make spring cleaning easier than ever. Contact us today.