Hello World! Welcome Friends! Dirty and grimy windows are unpleasant to look at, not to mention they can significantly impair your view and diminish the overall ambiance of your room. Whether you live in a one-bedroom apartment or a five-story flat building, cleaning all your windows is essential to maintain clear views and maximize the natural light entering your home. This article will show you how to keep your windows dirt- and dust-free in five simple steps.
Who Cleans the Windows?
Outside window cleaning can be done by every homeowner who is fit and able. It’s pretty safe to do for bungalows. But houses with at least two floors pose a bit more risk. If you still want to do the cleaning, have someone to assist and support you, especially when you’re on the ladder. Of course, this job can be accomplished by third-party window cleaners.
For commercial buildings, professional window cleaning services are needed to get the job done. They have complete and high-grade cleaning equipment to do the task efficiently. Aside from windows, they can also clean gutters, perform pressure washing and sometimes install lights. Paying them for their services is a good deal as they offer insurance.
What’s the 5-Step Guide to Cleaning Exterior Windows?
1. Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
Grab the right tools to effectively clean your windows. You can usually find the cleaning supplies in your home or at a local home improvement store.
- Squeegee: This tool is used to remove excess water, ensuring a streak-free finish.
- Bucket: You’ll need a large bucket to mix your cleaning solution and dip your scrubber or sponge.
- Cleaning Solution: You can opt for a commercial glass cleaner or make your own by mixing water with a small amount of mild dish soap or vinegar.
- Scrubber or Sponge: A soft scrubber or sponge is perfect for loosening dirt and grime without scratching the glass.
- Microfiber Cloths: These are great for drying and polishing the windows.
- Ladder: For higher windows, a sturdy ladder will ensure you can reach all areas safely. Ensure it is stable and secure before climbing.
- Rubber Gloves: Protect your hands from cleaning solutions and harsh environmental elements with durable gloves.
2. Prepare the Window Area
Before starting the cleaning process, remove any screens and thoroughly inspect the window frame and sill. These areas often accumulate significant dust, pollen, and other environmental debris that can interfere with the cleaning process.
Use a soft-bristled brush or a vacuum with a dust attachment to loosen and remove any dry dirt from the corners and crevices of the window frame and sill. Next, take a damp cloth or a sponge—preferably microfiber, as it traps dirt and dust effectively without scratching surfaces—and gently wipe down the entire window frame and sill.
Be sure to clean along the edges and tracks where dirt can easily build up. This prevents dirt from mixing with your cleaning solution, which makes the windows grimy during the cleaning process.
3. Apply Washing Techniques
As a homeowner doing DIY window cleaning for the first time, you might ask yourself, “What is the best way to clean outside windows without streaking?”
The key to avoid streaking is not just in what you use to clean but how you clean. First, brush off all visible dirt and debris using a soft-bristled brush to avoid scratching the glass. Follow up with a gentle wash using a mixture of water and a few drops of dish soap or vinegar. Apply the solution generously to the window surface using a soft sponge, ensuring even coverage. Work in sections to prevent the solution from drying on the glass, which can lead to streaking.
4. Squeegee the Glass
After applying the cleaning solution and scrubbing, use the squeegee to remove excess water for a streak-free shine. Begin at the top corner, angling the squeegee against the glass, and pull horizontally, slightly overlapping strokes for full coverage without streaks.
Maintain steady pressure to ensure thorough water removal. Remember to wipe the squeegee blade after each pass to avoid dirt re-deposition.
5. Inspection and Touch-Up
After squeegeeing off the excess water, there may still be some remaining drips or moisture on the glass surface.
To eliminate these and achieve a flawless finish, use a fresh microfiber cloth to dry the windows thoroughly. Lastly, clean window sills and frames with a damp cloth to complete the cleaning process.
How Often Should I Clean My Windows?
Keeping your windows clean is a step to ensure your house is well-maintained and pleasing to the eye. Clean windows also improve indoor air quality and reduce dust and allergen buildup.
How often you clean your windows depends on your location, the surrounding environment, and personal preference. Experts say you should clean your exterior windows two to three times a year, ideally in the spring and fall, to remove built-up dirt, pollen, and grime.
However, if you live in an area with high pollution or near construction sites, you may need to clean them more frequently.
Any Other Tips for Cleaning Outside Windows?
Affirmative. These cleaning hacks will save you time and energy, making you look like a pro the first time.
Use two buckets instead of just one. One bucket is filled with the cleaning solution. The other, just with water for rinsing.
When you clean your windows from inside your house, you will see whether your outside windows are still good or need attention. If you notice dirt buildup, then that’s a good sign to step outside and get cleaning.
Don’t clean your exterior windows when the sun is very angry. The cleaning solution will dry quickly on hot windows before you even wipe them.
How do you clean the dishes after a meal? You first remove the food particles before soaping them. The same technique applies to window cleaning. Use a brush or a handheld vacuum to sweep dirt from the window frames before applying the cleaning solution.
When you use a squeegee, the water goes down, right? Make sure to clean the area below the windows. It will be silly to step away and admire the windows you cleaned only to find the wall or ground below them muddy because you forgot to clean that part.
Clean and Pristine Outside Windows
Follow these steps, hacks and tips to clean and maintain your windows. All you need to do now is to roll up your sleeves, step outside your house, face the windows, and get to work. Happy squeegeeing!
About the Author
Nikolay Nikolov is a professional gutter and window cleaner. Nikolay is proud when he can help his fellow locals unclog and clean their gutters, clean their windows, driveways, and eavestroughs and install their holiday lights. He loves what he does, and his motto is to make the world a happier & cleaner place one home/business at a time.
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