What Does it Take to Get Your Windows Really Clean?
Have you ever done the thing where you attack your greasy, dusty windows with a paper towel and a bottle of windex, and then they look all streaky afterwards and seem to almost immediately go back to being dirty again? Maybe you’ve bought into one of those “tips and tricks”, like using newspaper to clean windows, or buying super fancy cleaning liquids to try to get a streak-free finish. Or maybe you just let your windows be dirty because you can’t reach them. It can be surprisingly tricky to get your windows to really be fully clean inside and out, so here are some dos and don’ts for getting crystal clear windows to let in all the winter sunshine you can get!
Things To Do:
Get the right tools! Regular paper towels are just going to leave streaks and specks of lint behind. If you want to clean your windows yourself, invest in a proper sponge and squeegee so that you can get everything off and get into all those little corners without leaving gunk behind. Make a simple solution of water and dish soap just like you would use to clean pots and pans in your sink, and use that with your new squeegee for best results. (Check out the video at the bottom for some squeegee techniques!)
Use a microfiber cloth. After cleaning the glass, make sure to touch up the window frame, sills, and edges with a clean, dry microfiber cloth to get that professional look. Some cloth brands wick away water better than others, but for windows it is better to have a more absorbent cloth if you can.
Be safe on your ladders and step-stools. If you have windows that you can’t reach from the floor, then a ladder is a must. But use ladder safety to save yourself any trips to the ER! Make sure your ladder is securely placed on a level and dry surface, and keep three points on contact on the ladder at all times while climbing (for example two feet and one hand). Get a second person to hold the ladder steady from the bottom if you are climbing up more than a few steps. If you feel uncomfortable on your ladder, or if you aren’t sure how to get up as high as you need to in order to reach your windows, then call in the pros!
Be aware of specialized coatings. Some windows have a UV film or other coating applied to them. These coatings can be VERY delicate and should not be cleaned with anything tougher than a sponge and squeegee with soapy water.
Things NOT To Do:
Don’t use a hose! Spraying your windows with a hose will leave behind mineral deposits on the glass that will keep it from being really clean. To clean your windows yourself, try using distilled water. To clean big, outdoor windows you really need professional equipment that removes the minerals and deposits from the water before it is sprayed on the glass.
Don’t forget the screens. You do need to remove the screens from some windows in order to clean the exterior glass, but you might also need to clean the screens themselves! If your screens are dusty then your windows will look dusty, no matter how clean the glass is. Be careful, though, as screens can be very delicate. You can brush them gently with a hand brush, or wash them with soap and water, but watch out that you don’t bend the frames or make gaps in the mesh while cleaning or reinstalling the screens. Pro tip: our crew uses a paint can opener to help loosen stubborn screens, and it can help to have a buddy on the other side of the window to hand the screen to when you get it out so it doesn’t fall to the ground.
Don’t scratch your glass. Some stuck-on grime (paint, stickers, tape, etc) may need to be scraped off with a razor blade. Be very careful if you decide to do this yourself! Get a fresh razor blade with a proper handle and apply wet, soapy water to the glass before you start. If you have tempered glass do NOT use a razor blade, as these tools can remove tiny layers of the glass and damage it. A good substitute for a razor blade on glass like this is steel wool with soapy water. To be really sure that you aren’t going to damage your glass, call in the pros!
Wanting to clean your windows yourself? Check out this training video we use for our new techs! It’s harder to use a squeegee effectively than you might think.
