Window Cleaning Done Right

Spring cleaning is upon us and it’s time for the house to get a good scrub down. One of the trickier parts to clean is the windows.  Here are some tips from window professionals.

Cleaners
There are quite a few commercial cleaners available, but you can just as easily put your own cleaner together for a fraction of the price. Instead of springing for Windex, mix two parts water and one part white vinegar. Mix them in a spray bottle and use this as you would commercial cleaners, but dry the glass with black and white newspaper to avoid streaks.  Another option is to mix a capful of ammonia into two gallons of water.

To thoroughly clean your window frames, add a few drops of laundry detergent to cold water, and wipe the entire unit down with this solution. Once you’ve finished with the water and detergent, follow up with your vinegar or ammonia and water.

Techniques
Some techniques work better than others when cleaning windows.

• Clean your windows on a cool and cloudy day. This will stop the cleaner from drying onto the glass, which causes spots.
• For outdoor windows, spray them with a hose first, then wipe them down with the dish soap solution. Once finished, spray them down with the hose again.
• To avoid streaks, use a “Z” motion when drying windows with a microfiber cloth, lint free towel, black and white newspaper or paper towels.
• Stubborn stains can be cleaned by letting the vinegar solution sit on them for several minutes before wiping it clean. You can use a soft nonabrasive scrubbing pad on it, but avoid harsh steel wool to prevent scratches.
• Rinse screens with clean water before spraying them with the vinegar solution, and rinse them again with water. Let them dry completely before putting them back.
• When using a squeegee, make sure it’s angled towards the bottom as you pull it from the top. Wipe it clean with a towel after every pass.

You’ll be happy with the crystal-clear view you have and the extra sunlight brightening your home after giving your windows a good cleaning.

Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.