Clean windows aren’t just about enhancing the look of your home, but also reducing environmental pollutants and improving energy efficiency. Dirty windows obstruct natural light and can cause damage to indoor plants, not to mention the unsightly streaks that they leave behind.
It’s important to know how to avoid common window cleaning mistakes like cleaning on a sunny day. For those in Charlotte looking for professional help, hiring a window cleaning Charlotte service can ensure your windows are spotless and well-maintained, saving you time and effort.
Clear a Path
If you don’t clear a path when cleaning windows, they’ll end up with thick streaks that prevent sunlight from entering your home and shining on indoor houseplants. Not to mention, they’re just plain unsightly.
Before wet-cleaning your windows, use a vacuum cleaner, duster, or microfiber cloth to remove any dust or dirt on the window frame, sills, and grates that you can reach. Next, hose down the glass to rinse it. Make sure you don’t hold back on the water — you need plenty to dissolve the dirt and suspend it so that it can be wiped away.
A high-quality squeegee is key to getting beautiful, streak-free results. Look for one that has a rubber blade and a sturdy handle. Before you start washing your windows, pull the squeegee over itself to remove any debris that may have accumulated on the blade. This step is especially important if you have divided lites (panes).
To avoid creating unsightly streaks, you’ll need to know the proper technique for washing your windows. Beginner method: Apply a generous amount of your cleaning solution to the window glass. When squeegeeing, make your first pass over the window horizontally and then vertically. Move the squeegee over slightly each time, so that your new path slightly overlaps the last one you took. Repeat this process until the window is fully dry and you see no signs of streaking.
Advanced method: Before squeegeing, apply a thin layer of your cleaning solution to the window glass. Then, using a terrycloth rag or the end of the squeegee, create a dry path along the top of the window glass. When you’re ready to wipe down the window, place the squeegee on the dry line and pull straight down. This technique allows you to clean the entire surface of the window with less effort and ensures a perfect, even finish.
The most common cause of streaks when using a squeegee is insufficient moisture. You need to saturate the window completely with your cleaning solution, or you’ll wind up with a greasy film on your windows. If you’re having trouble with a streaky finish, try adding a bit of your favorite household cleaner or glass cleaner to your solution to boost the lubricity of the water.
Remove Dirty Debris
The first step in any good window cleaning routine is to clear away any dirt or debris that’s accumulated. You can use a soft brush or sponge to remove loose dust and dirt particles. This will help you avoid smearing these contaminants onto your clean windows as you wipe them down.
It’s also a good idea to check the weather before you begin cleaning, as windy and rainy conditions can cause dirty spots on your clean windows. Additionally, direct sunlight can dry your cleaning solution too quickly, resulting in streaks on your glass surfaces. The best time of day to clean windows is in the spring or fall, when the weather is milder and pollen and allergens are lower.
Next, you’ll want to prepare your cleaning solution. If you’re using a store-bought cleaner, follow the instructions on the label. If you prefer to make your own solution, a basic vinegar solution can be very effective. Vinegar’s acetic acid breaks down dirt and makes for an easy and affordable way to clean your windows. You can even add a few drops of lemon or lavender essential oil to your basic vinegar solution for an extra fresh scent.
After you’ve prepared your cleaning solution, spray it onto one section of the window at a time. Then, use your squeegee to wipe off the solution, working from top to bottom. Be sure to wipe down the blade of your squeegee between strokes, and keep working until the window is completely dry.
You’ll want to repeat this process on each pane of glass in your window until all the dirt is gone. Once you’re done, rinse the window frames and sill with clean water to remove any remaining soap suds. Then, finish the job by drying the window with a chamois or cloth. This will help you get your windows looking as good as new.
Clean the Screens
Many homeowners neglect to clean window screens in between deep cleanings. The result is dirty window screens that block out the fresh spring breeze and keep your home unnecessarily dusty. Cleaning your window screens is a simple task that offers much more than just a cleaner look.
Clean window screens prevent unwanted insects from entering your home, protecting you and your loved ones from fleas, ticks, ear mites, lice, and other pests. Dirty window screens also block out the sun, which can cause your interior to become hotter than it should be. Clean window screens will reduce the amount of time you spend on air conditioning and heating, making your energy costs more affordable over the course of a year.
Window screens can be cleaned by hosing them down with water or a mild cleaning solution. However, it’s important to remember that window screens are delicate, so using too much pressure can stretch or tear them. For this reason, washing your screens with a hose on a gentle setting is preferred, or even rinsing them off in the shower works just as well.
When you throw open your windows on a mellow spring afternoon, you want to be able to enjoy the blue skies and budding trees outside of your home. But before the fresh breeze can enter your home, it must pass through your dirty window screens, carrying with it dust, pollen, salts, grime, and other allergens. Breathing dirty air for prolonged periods of time can lead to sneezing fits, sinus problems, and other respiratory issues.
When you’re ready to clean your window screens, carefully remove them from the frame and lay them flat in a sunny area. Then, use a lint roller or a soft brush attachment on your vacuum to remove any loose dirt from the surface of the screen. Finally, wash your window screens with water or a mild cleaning solution and rinse them thoroughly before laying them back in place to dry. Adding this simple step to your cleaning routine will help you save money on air conditioning and heating bills while maintaining an insect-free, comfortable home.
Clean the Frame
If you don’t clean the frame when cleaning windows it can leave a dirty residue on the glass. You can also scratch or damage the frame. This isn’t just annoying for the client but can also affect the integrity of the window. Wooden frames are especially vulnerable to damage from too much water, which can cause them to swell or even rot over time. You can avoid this by wiping down the frames and sills with a damp cloth while still ensuring they are dry before finishing the job.
Aluminum and vinyl frames can handle a little more water than wood, but they are still susceptible to damage from excess moisture. This is why it’s important to use a clean, lint-free cloth or microfiber towel when wiping down the frames and sills. Paper towels can leave behind lint and fibers that can make your windows look dirty even after they are cleaned. It’s also a good idea to rinse off the frames with a clean cloth or towel before drying them to ensure that no soapy residue remains on the surface.
The tracks of sliding or gliding windows can be particularly difficult to clean when they are caked with dirt. A vacuum cleaner attachment or crevice tool can help with loose dirt, but for packed on grit you’ll have to put in some extra work. Start by removing any loose dirt with a brush or scraper, and then use the vacuum attachment to remove the rest. Next, mix a solution of vinegar and water and apply it with a clean cloth or sponge. After allowing the solution to sit for a few minutes, wipe it down with a damp cloth and then rinse and dry the track.
Window cleaning is a hard and tedious job that can be dangerous if you’re not careful. By taking these simple steps, you can make the process a lot less stressful and improve your results. Don’t forget to take the time to clean the frames and sills as well, and you can rest assured that your clients will be satisfied with their sparkling new windows!
