Household Products and Window Cleaning – How to Properly Clean your Home’s Windows
Cleaning the exterior of your home’s windows can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and some simple household products, you can make you have clear windows with a sparkle. Here’s how you can achieve streak-free window results with items you likely already have in your home when window cleaning.
Materials Needed:
- Distilled white vinegar
- Dish soap
- Large bucket
- Soft microfiber cloths or a squeegee
- Hose or spray bottle
- Optional: Ladder or extension pole for high windows
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning and Washing Windows:
1. Prepare Your Cleaning Solution Mix a solution of one part distilled white vinegar to ten parts warm water in a large bucket. For extra cleaning power, add a teaspoon of dish soap which will help in removing the greasy smudges and fingerprints.
2. Rinse Windows with Water Before applying your cleaning solution, rinse the windows using a hose to remove the top layer of grime and debris. This step helps prevent you from rubbing this dirt around which can scratch the glass.
3. Wipe or Scrub the Windows Dip a soft microfiber cloth or sponge in your cleaning mixture and start wiping the window. For textured glass or stubborn spots, you might need to scrub gently. Avoid using abrasive tools like steel wool, as they can scratch the window glass.
4. Squeegee the Glass Clean Using a squeegee is the best way to avoid streaks. Start at the top corner and drag the squeegee horizontally across the window. Wipe the squeegee with a clean cloth after each pass to avoid dragging dirt across the window. If you don’t have a squeegee, you can use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to dry the windows.
5. Dry the Window Frames Don’t neglect the frames; mold and mildew can accumulate here. Wipe them down with your vinegar solution, then dry with a clean cloth to prevent water marks.
6. Spot Clean Remaining Streaks If any streaks or spots remain after the windows have dried, mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle, apply it to the areas, and wipe away with a clean cloth.
Safety Tips:
- If you need to clean high windows, use a sturdy ladder with someone supporting the base.
- Never lean out of an open window to clean the outside.
- Always wear gloves to protect your hands from drying out from the cleaning solutions.
- Distilled Vinegar will give your windows a brilliant shine and finish
By using these simple and effective household products and techniques, you can efficiently clean your exterior windows. This not only enhances the curb appeal of your home but also allows more natural light to enter, brightening your living space.
With routine maintenance and the right cleaning methods, keeping your exterior windows spotless is an achievable weekend project. It’s a cost-effective way to add sparkle to your home’s exterior and improve your view of the outdoors. Remember, regular cleaning extends the life of your windows and helps maintain your home’s overall aesthetic appeal.
If all of those steps to clean your windows sounds like a hassle, don’t worry, Urban Window Wash can help you. We are professional window cleaners that will leave your home with streak free windows. We can reach the all your windows with ease with our professional grade water fed poles and mineral free, pure water. Our pure water system leaves no streaks on your windows when window washing and minimizes risk to our team by allowing us to avoid using high ladders on your property. Give us a call now, or fill out the form to schedule your window cleaning now.
