Cleaning the windows is something that many homeowners loathe because they can’t do it right, and it’s quite tedious. But even if you don’t enjoy it, cleaning your home’s windows is a task you can’t procrastinate on forever. This is especially so if you don’t have the money to pay a professional window cleaner who typically charges hundreds of dollars for their services.
Luckily, there’s a glimmer of hope because window cleaning is a do-it-yourself (DIY) project you can effortlessly do by yourself. However, the only way to ensure that your windows are streak-free and clean as professionals do is by learning specific helpful window cleaning tips. Therefore, keep reading to learn of the seven best window cleaning tips.
1. Have The Right Tools
Your window cleaning goal would be futile if you don’t have the right set of tools. Otherwise, you shouldn’t expect your windows to be sparkling and crystal clear. Some of the tools you need for the window cleaning project include;
- Apple cider vinegar
- Window scraper
- A plastic squeegee
- Magic eraser
- Spray bottle
- Microfiber cloths
- A window cleaning bucket
- Detergent
- A cleaning mop
- An extension pole for cleaning windows on the second-story
Although you might spend a considerable sum of money buying these items, it’s still cheaper than hiring a professional cleaner. In addition, these window cleaning tools will forever be your property, so you can use them for future projects, which is a bonus.
2. Start Off By Removing Dust And Dirt
You shouldn’t jump ahead and apply the cleaning product on your windows without first cleaning them to remove all the dirt and dust. Otherwise, the dirt and cleaning product mix form a muddy solution that is very difficult to clean. You can avoid all of this by cleaning your windows using a cloth or paper towel that’ll effectively remove most of the dirt and dust. When the windows are covered with a lot of grime, use a soft brush and hot water to rinse it off and ensure it’s clean.
Only after all the dirt and dust is removed should you go ahead to wash your windows to give them a sparkling and streak-free look. This is what commercial window cleaning providers do to ensure your windows are spotless.
3. Get The Timing Right
It’s easy to assume that the best time to clean your windows would be on a hot, sunny day. However, this isn’t the case, and your windows should instead be cleaned on a dry, cloudy day. You must have observed that cleaning the windows on a sunny day causes the window cleaner to dry a lot faster, without enough time to remove the cleaning solution properly. As a result, this causes streaking and spots that are hard to remove on the window glasses.
The sight of these patches on your windows is not only unsightly but also means you’ve wasted all your efforts. You can avoid all this by cleaning your windows on a dry, cloudy day. This way, you have a much easier time cleaning the windows because there’s less reflection due to intense sunlight. In addition, the clouds prevent the quick formation of patches on the window glasses, thereby allowing you more time to clean your windows properly.
4. Use Microfiber Cloth
Paper towels or newspapers have often been used for drying window panes by most homeowners. However, using a microfiber cloth is recommended if you want your windows to have a streak-free and shiny appearance as though they’ve been cleaned by a professional.
The microfiber cloth with an ergonomic honeycomb texture is ideal because it perfectly picks up the windows’ dirt and water spots. Subsequently, your windows gleam because they don’t have any smudge or scratch on their surface.
Microfiber cloth is also advantageous because it doesn’t leave any lint as with paper towels or newspapers. Therefore, the glass window surface remains crystal clear and streak-free.
5. Use Dish Soap
One of the most common cleaners is the blue window cleaner, which is usually thought to be effective in cleaning windows. However, this isn’t true because the blue window cleaner leaves behind a streaky, waxy, and difficult-to-remove film. Using such a window cleaner can lead to the accumulation and spread of dust and dirt on the windows, which further makes them obscure.
The best cleaner you should opt for instead is the dish soap which guarantees to leave your windows spotless. While the effectiveness of this conventional household product on cleaning windows might come as a surprise, it works wonders in getting off all the grease and dirt. For optimal effectiveness of the dish soap, you should use it with a squeegee.
6. Use Enough Quantity Of The Cleaning Products
You’d rather use excess cleaning products than not use enough to clean your windows. Doing anything to the contrary only makes it a lot harder to clean your windows perfectly and guarantee a streak-free look.
Therefore, you want to use enough cleaning solutions from dish soap to vinegar. While doing so, make sure to correctly balance their ratios to provide you with more than enough cleaning products to clean all your windows and ensure they’re spotless.
While using enough volume of cleaning product is a simple technique, it does wonder in ensuring your windows are sparkling clean.
7. Don’t Forget The Window Edges
Because your mind focuses on cleaning the window glass panes, it’s easy to forget the windowsill and edges. You mustn’t make such a mistake and should instead make sure to use an absorbent cloth to remove all the excess water from the window edges.
Doing this is necessary because window edges will, in most cases, be left looking shiny once washed with soapy water. When wiping the edges, don’t forget to do the same on the interior section of the windows.
Takeaway
The unappealing sight of a strip of dirt on your windows is the last thing you’d want to see as a homeowner. Fortunately, you can prevent all this by cleaning. And because this task for many people often feels cumbersome and overwhelming, this guide has outlined useful window cleaning tips you need to know. This way, the inside of your home will have enough sunlight, and you also get an incredible outside view free from any obstructions.