Many homes and offices have been switching to designs with larger windows to maximize the amount of natural light that enters these buildings. It’s not uncommon to see office buildings where the windows stretch from the ceiling to the floor of each unit.
Windows have to be kept clean to continue looking pristine and clear, so here is a helpful guide for cleaning your windows.
What you need before cleaning a window
You will need the following items before starting:
- A sponge for wetting and coating the window
- A rubber squeegee for drying
- A container filled with cleaning solution
- A lint-free cloth
Cleaning solutions
An effective cleaning solution can be purchased from any home product or hardware store, but it’s also possible to make your own cleaning solution at home. A simple cleaning solution can be made by mixing 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with 2 gallons of water.
A different cleaning solution could also be made by combining equal parts water and white vinegar. However, this solution may leave your windows with a vinegar-y odor temporarily.
Pre-cleaning your windows
Some external windows with stubborn stains may need to be pre-cleaned before they can undergo regular cleaning. Outside windows are usually exposed to the elements and wildlife, so they’re more likely to be caked with mud or grime than inside windows.
These outside windows can be pre-cleaned using a household cleaning product such as CLR that dissolves mineral stains. This cleaner should be applied to the window using a spray bottle or a sponge, and then rinsed off using water.
If the inside window has any window screens, they should be removed and washed prior to cleaning the window. These screens can be cleaned using a hose or a spray bottle filled with water.
Cleaning your windows
Start by dunking your sponge or the sponge-end of your squeegee in the cleaning solution and applying it to the window surface. Make sure to cover the window from corner to corner with cleaning-solution.
Then drag the blade end of the squeegee across the window surface in long vertical strokes. Be sure to overlap your strokes by a few inches to ensure each part of the window is being treated. You can wipe the blade dry using a lint-cloth in between strokes.
The squeegee blade should be firmly in contact with the window surface during each stroke to effectively remove the cleaning solution and dirt from the window.
Once you’re done with cleaning, use the lint-cloth to wipe up any cleaning solution that may have gotten onto the window frame or the floors.
Removing streaks
Some places in Minnesota have hard water (i.e: water that is high in minerals such as calcium and magnesium) that can leave streaks on windows if used to make the cleaning solution. Windows left with such streaks may have to be cleaned again using distilled water.
If your windows still aren’t looking as good as you’d like them to, you may want to consider replacing them. Northland Home Exteriors offers reliable window replacement services in Minnesota.
