Cleaning your windows is a task that nobody looks forward to. There are loads of windows in your house, and to make matters worse they need cleaning both on the inside and out. You could hire a window cleaner to tackle the outside windows – and this is actually recommended as they can reach the top windows safely.
Still, you need to clean the inside of them, but what is the best way to do this? Well, here are some great tips that will change your life:
Take off the curtains and blinds
You should make this the first thing you do whenever cleaning windows on the inside. Firstly, both curtains and blinds need to be cleaned. So, removing them is actually the best way you can do this. You’re able to give them a proper clean with the right tools, let them rest, then put them back after you’ve cleaned the windows.
More to the point, removing these obstacles makes it easier for you to clean your whole window. You can see everything, reach every single corner, and avoid getting any cleaning solution on the curtains and blinds, which could cause staining or damage to the materials.
Tackle dust before you start cleaning properly
Windows get very dirty, but they can also be havens for dust and cobwebs. You will almost certainly have dust on the window sill, the window frames, and possibly on the glass itself. Plus, you can pretty much guarantee at least one window in your house will have a gnarly cobweb in one of the top corners.
Get a feather duster or a microfiber cloth and remove as much dust as you possibly can. Take care of the cobwebs as well, and your windows will be in a much better place to clean. This will ensure that you can clean them using some sprays without ending up with balls of dust or hair sticking to the windows.
Upgrade to better window frames
Okay, this might not seem like much of a tip, but it can definitely change your life and make window cleaning a whole lot easier. The problem with cleaning your windows is that the frames are often the dirtiest part. Sometimes, there’s not a lot you can do to clean the frames because of the materials they’re made from. Older homes tend to have timber frames, which is an absolute pest to clean. You need specialist wood cleaning products, and the nature of this material means that stains can really seep in and stay permanently.
On the other hand, modern windows are made from PVC. This is much easier to maintain as you can just wipe the surface clean with some general cleaning spray and a cloth. There are even some windows made with a special material called Fibrex. Effectively, this delivers durability and wood with the easy maintenance of PVC windows. You can learn more about this material here, but it’s another good option for a window upgrade. The bottom line is that some new window frames will make your windows much easier to clean.
Use bleach and toilet paper to remove mold
Around the outside of your windows, you will find silicone sealant. It keeps the windows in place, but it is a breeding ground for mold. Spraying a window cleaning solution on the mold won’t really do anything to it – neither will scrubbing it with a cloth or sponge. Instead, you need to tackle it using bleach, a toothbrush, and some toilet paper.
Bleach works to kill mold and make it come away from surfaces. You can actually buy some mold removal products, but they basically contain bleach anyway, so it’s a needless purchase. What you do is you get your toothbrush and dip it into the bleach. From here, you scrub away at the mold. Now, if the mold isn’t too bad, it could come away just by doing this. Or, you can apply bleach with the toothbrush, leave it for a few minutes, and scrub away at it. If that works, your life is made much easier.
But, for tougher mold spores, you will need to roll up some toilet paper into a thin line, then stick it onto the mold-affected sealant. The bleach you’ve applied with the toothbrush will act as glue. From here, you leave things for a day. This gives the bleach time to sink into the mold and attack it, and the toilet paper forces constant contact. After 24 hours, peel away the paper and scrub any remaining mold with the brush. You’ll be stunned at how clean the area now is, ridding your windows of mold!
Get your hands on a squeegee
A squeegee is basically what actual window cleaners use to clean your windows. It’s that small handheld thing with a foam line, and then a rubber strip. Once you’ve got one, all you need is some window cleaning solution. You can buy this from any store, or you can make your own by combining vinegar with warm water.
Then, you wet the sponge side of your squeegee and clean the windows in an S motion. Flip the squeegee over and use the hard rubber side to go back over things in a reverse S. This helps to clean the entire window equally, applying your window cleaner and getting rid of as much dirt as possible.
Go over your windows with a dry cloth
Streaks are a big problem when cleaning your windows, and they appear when excess cleaning solution dries on the glass. So, after every stroke of your squeegee, use a dry cloth to wipe away excess moisture. This helps your windows dry quicker, and without any streaks.
If you’re struggling to clean and maintain your windows, try following these tips. It might start with some new window frames if your old ones are seriously filthy and impossible to clean. Already, you’ve made your life easier! Now, it’s a simple case of understanding the right techniques to use when cleaning your windows.
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