Grimy and dirty windows are one of the surest ways to give your home an impression of negligence. That is a shame because proper window care is not as daunting as many people assume it to be. For sure, keeping windows in good shape requires a little more than a wipe down with some warm soapy water. Try to cut corners in this department and, while you may deal with the grime and dust, you are sure to leave unsightly streaks. Moreover, depending on the size of your home and the sheer number of windows that you actually have to clean, the job can seem like a big one. And then there is the matter of those high up or awkwardly positioned windows that need to be cleaned just like any other. But really, efficient and effective window care is not as hard as you might think.
There is though a definite expertise to the job. Other home problems might be as simple as wiping down a counter or deodorizing your shoes in the hallway. While those tasks might require nothing more than two minutes of effort and a good shoe deodorizer spray, glass is a different matter. Not only does achieving streakless, sparkling windows require significantly more effort, but you will need a few more tools than just a cloth and bottle of ShoeFresh.
Seasonal Differences
Another thing many people do not know about cleaning windows is that the job is a different one depending on the season. The warmer and colder months each throw up different challenges for window cleaning. This is simply because the kind of dirt that accumulates on windows is different depending on the season. For example, in the summer you have to contend with pollen, muddy rainfall streaks and all the while the bright sun can make them difficult to see. In the colder months, on the other hand, the colder temperature of the glass will react to your different cleaning solutions in different ways.
The best time to clean your windows is perhaps in the spring, after the inclement and window-unfriendly winter – a time during which you probably won’t want to be as diligent with your external windows simply because it is so cold. Nevertheless, while the job is different in different seasons, the basic method is the same, with just a few (albeit important) seasonal differences. Here then follow a couple of tips on cleaning windows:
Preparing for Window Cleaning
So what is that basic method? Well, firstly you should prepare well. This means first of all cleaning the areas around the edges of the windows and removing all dirt and grime from here. After that you should dust the blinds down and clean the screens of all the accumulated dirt and bugs that might have built up.
Washing the Windows
As mentioned, the best time to actually clean the windows is spring. At this time, the cleaning solution will not dry out too quickly in the sun. When actually cleaning the windows, be sure to use a sponge, a squeegee, and a soft cotton towel – in that order. And give your cleaning solution ample time to rest on the glass itself before wiping it off. If you find yourself cleaning the windows in the winter months though, simply remember to mix some anti-freeze into the cleaning solution to combat the effects of the cold temperatures on the cleaning process.
Keep this basic method and all the seasonal variations in mind and you should be well on your way to shining, streak-free windows all year round.
