Window is one of the main components of a home that helps in creating passage for entering sunlight, facilitation of ventilation and creates natural comfort of fresh air circulation in a premise. Dirty windows spoil the beauty of a home, hence it is necessary to clean the windows daily or at least twice in a week. The dirty windows also obstruct the sunshine from properly entering our premise. So when you think of house cleaning window cleaning is perhaps one of the most important tasks contributing to utility and beauty of a home/space.
Window cleaning includes the cleaning of window pane, window frame & window sill, as well as jambs etc. Window cleaning is not a difficult task if you have the suitable window cleaning tools. Gharpedia provides handy tips, which can make the process of cleaning spree quick, less messy, and easier for you.
Usually, Platforms and Ladders are the most important tool to start the window cleaning. Anyway, lets get ready with the most important cleaning tools and material for window cleaning. Let’s take a look first what the tools you need for window cleaning.
Necessary Tools and Material for Window Cleaning
- Rubber gloves
- Squeegee
- Chamois Leather
- Newspaper
- Soft acrylic brush
- Vinegar
- All-purpose cleaner
- Scrubber
- Ladder
- Microfiber Clothes
Now follow the steps narrated below:
Step 1 – Preparation for Window Cleaning
First step for window cleaning is about starting the preparation for window cleaning. If you have curtains, here is a way to prevent them from getting messed up while window cleaning.
Without taking them off the rod, arrange each panel on a hanger, and then hang the hanger on the curtain rod. Right side of curtain should be hung on the right side of the curtain rod, and the left side of the curtain should be hung on the left side of the curtain rod.
Note: Now you check for any cracks or gaps in window frame. If there are old caulks, you need caulking of window.
Step 2 – Window Washing
After basic preparations, clean the window dust with microfiber cloth or any cotton cloth. The best way to clean windows is to make your own window cleaner (make a mix with 1 cup distilled white vinegar + 3 cup warm water + detergent) for window washing. Use spray bottle for sprinkling window cleaner.
Now, dip a scrunched up piece of plain newspaper into the mixture, squeeze it until it stops dripping. Then use it to clean the window. You can also dip scrubber in a bucket of homemade window cleaner for window washing.
Homemade window cleaner is the best cleaning solution for windows. See here for how to make homemade window cleaner
Note: Wear rubber gloves while window cleaning so the newspaper doesn’t stick to your hand and also you can protect hand from the risk of skin allergies.
Step 3 – Wipe the Window
You can wipe windows using newspaper or a chamois leather piece. Chamois leather and microfiber cloth is the best choice for window cleaning. Wipe and wash window with crumpled newspaper. This is a cheap alternative of chamois leather because chamois leather is very costly and you cannot reuse it once used.
You can also use a squeegee, microfiber cloths, dry coffee filters, clean blackboard eraser, a scrubber or sponges for the window cleaning. They are available at all supermarkets and hardware stores.
You can also use a microfiber cloth or any clean cotton cloth for wiping window.
Wiping Window up, down, and side by side:
When you wipe windows, clean up and down on the inside, and from side to side on the outside. If you see a streak that you want to wipe away, you will know which side it’s on.
Note: You can clean corners with a cotton swab. Be careful when you clean wooden areas and also avoid spraying too much homemade window cleaner.
Step 4 – Clean Window Sill and Frames
When you clean window, make sure to clean window frame sills and jambs thoroughly. The window track on which your window slides, often get covered with dust, grime and other debris making the opening and cleaning windows difficult. Remove dirt from the window tracks using a nylon brush or an old toothbrush. Then wipe the tracks with microfiber clothes. Lastly, wipe the entire track with a dry clean cloth or a paper towel. If the window is located roadside, you may need the vacuum cleaner to remove dust, as you may collect lots of dust, which is difficult to clean with a brush or using simple cloth piece.
For cleaning of window sill and frames, use non-abrasive window cleaner and a soft clean cloth. For wooden window frames you will need to take extra care to see that you don’t damage the wooden or painted surfaces. For aluminum window frame, you may require a solvent cleaner to prevent them from rusting or deteriorating.
You can also wash window sill jambs and frame with warm soapy water. Sprinkle this mixture on the window sill jambs and frame, now wash with sponges or wet soft cloth. Always make sure you wipe window sill and frame dry with a soft cloth after you wash them.
These are the simple steps for window cleaning.
Next Question that Arises is How to Clean High Windows?
Gharpedia herein provides tips for cleaning high windows:
If your windows that need to be cleaned are too high for you to reach, get a “water gun” and a “long-handled squeegee”. You can fill the water gun with a best homemade window cleaner and spray it on the window pane, then squeegee it off. It is a safer method than climbing on a stool or ladder.
Season or Weather for Window Cleaning
Weather is an important factor for window cleaning. You can wash a window or clean the window on cloudy days so that they will get dry more slowly and giving you more time to wipe them when they are damp, and when every fingerprint and mark will be clearly seen! If you clean windows on a bright, sunny day, they will quickly get dry leaving those smeary or dirty marks as it is on window glass.
Note: There are the handy tips for window cleaning for small homes. For high rise buildings, window cleaning steps are different, or you may need the help of professional window cleaning services by window cleaning companies because it is a very difficult task, and you will need to follow safer process by expert hands to maintain safety and cleanliness in a high-rise building.
With all said and done, Window cleaning is must-do chore to create a healthy and hygienic environment in a house. It not only protects your windows from the accumulation of dirt, debris but also improves the face of your home by extending the life of window. Sparkling windows increase the aesthetic appeal of the rooms. Clean windows will allow more sunlight to penetrate in the room and it helps in making the interior as well as exterior more appealing. Thus, Window cleaning, though not difficult, is challenging enough; with detailing, you need to take safety precaution, too to ensure complete peace of mind.
Gharpedia has written another blog on window cleaning that you may like, see here for more information
Image Courtesy: Image 2(a), Image 2(b), Image 2(c), Image 2(d), Image 9
