Clean windows allow natural light to filter into your home, boosting mood and productivity. They also prevent dirt particles from blocking sunlight and reducing your home’s energy efficiency.
Begin by spraying cleaner on the window, working one pane at a time to avoid over-spraying. Next, wipe the glass with a microfiber cloth or lint-free towel. Click here for more info.
Clean the Frame
A window’s frame collects dust, grime, and mold. It’s important to wipe the frame down regularly to prevent damage and keep it looking pristine. The first step is to use a cloth soaked in a mild soapy solution to wipe away loose dirt. Then, if necessary, apply a commercial mold and mildew cleaner to eliminate any stains. After rinsing, it’s time to dry the frames.
Aluminum frames can be cleaned with white vinegar or citrus cleaners. A nylon scrub brush and the corresponding cleaner are brushed onto the frame until any oxidation spots disappear. Then, the frame is rinsed and dried with a microfiber cloth.
When it comes to uPVC windows, stubborn stains can be removed with a paste of water and a commercial cleaner with oxalic acid, such as Zud or Bar Keepers Friend. These stains can be difficult to remove, so it’s important to test the cleaner in an inconspicuous spot before applying it to the whole frame.
Clean the Glass
If your windows are streak-free, they can be the focal point of any room. Use a microfiber cloth or sponge to wipe down the entire window, inside and out, then dry it with a lint-free towel.
Start cleaning the glass at the top, and work your way down, spraying the cleaner as you go. This allows gravity to help you avoid dripping cleaner on areas that are already clean.
To remove mineral deposits on the glass, use a clean sponge soaked in water mixed with a cleaning product that contains oxalic acid, such as Zud or Bar Keepers Friend. Be sure to rinse the solution off of the window and frames.
If the window is really dirty, try a quirky teabag cleaning hack, dip a kitchen towel in cold black tea, and then wipe. This will break up greasy dirt and leave the glass clean and shiny without scratching it. Wipe the frame with a clean, damp cloth as well.
Clean the Tracks
Window tracks get filthy and gunky very quickly, and if not cleaned regularly can become difficult to open and close. To prevent this from happening, keep your window tracks clean with a few simple steps.
Unlock and open your windows as wide as possible (the sashes for double-hung windows should be opened all the way, not just to the middle). Then vacuum the window tracks using your vacuum cleaner’s crevice tool, especially when working in narrow areas. This should clear loose dirt, dead bugs, and debris.
Next, sprinkle the track with baking soda, especially targeting those dirty corners where most of the gunk collects. Then spray a little vinegar onto the baking soda and watch it fizz! After about ten minutes, scrub the track with a brush, or even an old toothbrush, getting into all the nooks and crannies. Finally, wipe the tracks down with a paper towel. This should remove most of the baking soda and vinegar solution, but if not, simply spray again and wipe.
Clean the Bottom
The grit and debris on the bottom of your window sill can block light from filtering into your home, making rooms look smaller and darker. You can reduce grit build-up by regularly cleaning the bottom of the window. Use a brush or a vacuum cleaner attachment with a crevice tool to remove sand, dirt, and other debris from the bottom of your windows.
To avoid streaking, start with clean rags and work your way down the window. A lint-free towel and a microfiber cloth will help you avoid smears on the glass. You can also purchase Casabella Microfiber Glass Cloths, which are designed with a special honeycomb texture that is able to nab water spots and smudges without scratching the surface of your window.
Be sure to spray the solution onto your glass only; getting it on the frame, window treatments or other non-glass surfaces can damage them. Also, only apply a small amount of cleaner at a time; too much will create streaks. Browse the next article.