Perhaps the most tedious and frustrating part of house cleaning is window cleaning. The average person attacks a dirty window with a roll of paper towels in one hand and a spray bottle of commercial glass cleaner in the other.
This method is expensive and inefficient. The paper towels usually absorb the cleaner and leave much of the dirt behind. The result is a window with streaks, dull film, and cloudy patches. There are better methods.
Professional window cleaners use a squeegee of high-quality brass or stainless steelto remove the window solvent. These are available in different lengths, but a 10- to 14-inch blade is the most practical. If the blade is too long, you can shorten it with a hacksaw.
You can also purchase an extension pole for the squeegee that will allow you to wash second floor windows while standing on the ground.
The best time to wash windows is in the early morning, when it’s still cool outside. Later in the day, the hot sun will cause the window to dry too fast, leaving a residue. Before attempting to clean the glass, vacuum out the frame and around the sills. Use the brush attachment to remove dust, cobwebs and as much loose dirt as possible.
Professional window cleaners use clear, warm water to wash windows. For very dirty windows you can add 1/4 cup of clear ammonia or white vinegar to the water. Do not use both, since vinegar and ammonia neutralize each other. You can use a sponge to apply the solution, but a lambswool wand (also called a “window cleaner’s mop”) is more effective. This is simply a sleeve made of lambswool or cotton (available at janitorial supply stores and some homecenters) that fits over the squeegee. It loosens and removes grime. A sponge often traps the dirt and this scratches the glass.
Before applying any cleaning solution, fold a bath towel into a narrow roll and place it on the floor near the wall. This will catch any drips that might stain the floor or carpet. If you have a wooden window sill, you might want to protect it with a folded towel also. Dip the wand in the solution and apply it to the window. Wait a few seconds for the solution to dissolve and suspend the dirt. Take the squeegee and wipe the blade with a damp cloth. This will lubricate the blade so it will slide easily across the glass. Starting at an upper corner, draw the blade across the window. Wipe the blade again to remove the accumulated solution and grime. Wipe the blade after each pass. Make another pass, overlapping the first, and with successive passes work your way down the window. Use a clean cloth to wipe away any excess water at the bottom of the window frame.
For problem spots, such as those caused by hard water deposits, use white vinegar. Apply it with a non-abrasive nylon pad and scrub gently.
The squeegee usually will not fit in smaller windows.If you have a few small panes, it’s best to apply the cleaning solution to the glass and wipe it off with newspaper. Curiously, newspaper cleans glass better than paper towels, and it’s cheaper too.
After your windows are washed they should sparkle. Sometimes the glass in older windows can be dull even after washing. You can polish these windows with a blackboard eraser. Simply rub it across the surface to bring a shine to the glass. Make sure the eraser and the glass are clean.
Don’t forget to clean the window sills. Aluminum sills can be cleaned with liquid abrasive or fine steel wool. After cleaning, apply a coat of paste wax. A painted sill can usually be cleaned with a damp cloth. Wooden sills are best cleaned with a wood cleaner or a spray-on furniture cleaner. Do not use water based cleaners on wooden sills because they cause the wood to swell.
If you are cleaning the outside of your windows you should also clean your screens. Remove them from the window and place them on a flat surface, like a picnic table or an old work table. Cover the table first with an old rug or bed sheet. Scrub them with a soft-bristle scrub brush and detergent.
