Windows are important parts of our home. But we have to admit – shining our windows and keeping them clean can be tedious.
Every time we clean windows, we find ourselves wiping on end with no clarity insight – for the glass, that is. Glass will still look blurry with some visible streaks here and there and a smudge on the other end.
But chin up. Here are 7 tips that you can follow to help you keep your windows clear, sparkling, and blemish-free.
Use cold water
There’s a debate going on about whether to use warm or cold water when cleaning your windows. But think about it. Warm water can evaporate quickly and leave mineral deposits on your glass. With cold water, all you get is clean, unadulterated windows.
Use the right tools
You need to have the right tools to make your windows shine.
The squeegee is the epitome of window cleaning tools and is a must-have for window cleaners. With squeegees, you won’t have to re-wipe areas you’ve wiped before. All you have to do is spray your glass windows with your cleaning agent, rinse with water, and wipe away with the squeegee.
In the absence of a squeegee, what do you use? Other materials have had bad raps with the window cleaning community because they leave small fibers on the glass, which can make your windows look cloudy. When using cloth materials, use wipers made with microfiber or any lint-free material.
Use the proper cleaner
The right cleaner can spell the difference between clean, shiny windows, and a disaster. Some products out in the market today that are marketed as window cleaners are often too strong, which may damage your windows. Some commercial cleaners are still worth it though, but may not be in your price range.
If you don’t have commercial cleaners, you can mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part tap water in a spray bottle for maximum cleaning ability.
Work from the outside in
While working your windows, make sure that you work from the outside in. That means you begin with the frames first before moving towards the glass. This will make your job feel easier than it actually is.
Window frames have plenty of hard-to-reach areas that are nearly impossible to clean. You can use cotton swabs to clean the narrow areas inside these corners. Use a vacuum cleaner to clear away dust and other particles clinging to the window sill.
But vacuum cleaners may be inefficient in cleaning the dust that clings strongly to your windows. In such cases, apply cleaner on your windows to soften them up. Use an old toothbrush and scrub away all stubborn dirt. Rinse with clean tap water then wipe off all residue using a microfiber cloth.
Remove stubborn water stains
When a glass surface gets wet, water evaporates, leaving behind minerals that were previously dissolved in water. This is known as hard water. Hard water refers to water with high concentrations of calcium and magnesium. These deposits are what cause water stains on glass and other surfaces that are harder to remove.
When dealing with hard water, there are numerous cleaning agents that you can use to clear away all mineral deposits. Many of these cleaning agents can be made with just a few household items.
Take a look:
- Vinegar – Mix equal parts of water and vinegar inside a spray bottle. The best type of vinegar to use is white, distilled vinegar. This vinegar is very inexpensive but is highly effective.
- Lemon juice – Lemon juice has the same acidic properties as vinegar. This is a good, natural alternative that is inexpensive and effective. If you choose to use lemon juice, remember to use fresh ones and not the bottled kind.
- Essential oils – Don’t use essential oils on their own. They only work if you mix them with lemon juice. Essential oils are becoming popular as a tool in window cleaning because oil serves as a water repellent and will prevent future build-up of hard water stains.
- Toothpaste – Toothpaste is also a good household item to use in cleaning glass windows since they are made to prevent build up. Dilute the toothpaste in water before applying it to the glass so it spreads more easily.
- Baking soda – Mix an equal part of baking soda and vinegar until you have a paste-like consistency. The mixture will bubble up but will subside after a couple of minutes. You can wait until the bubbling already subsided or you can apply the bubbling mixture onto the glass. It works either way. If you are mixing in a container, DO NOT close the lid because gas expansion can forcibly cause the lid to fly off.
Finish with a repellent
No, these aren’t bug repellants that you spray to keep your windows bug-free. Dirt repellants act like an invisible barrier between the glass surface and impurities. They protect your windows from dirt, dust, and minerals that could scratch or stain the surface.
With a repellant, glass can then be easily cleaned as you spray it with water. If you hate rainy days, you’ll certainly look forward to them come window cleaning day.
Call a professional
Some cleaning jobs are more complicated than most. Large windows, stained glass, or even hundreds of windows to clean can make window cleaning day the worst. For clean, blemish-free windows without the hassle, the best thing to do is call the experts.
When it comes to professional window cleaning, Toronto has some of the best in the business. Shiny, crystal clear windows are not really hard to achieve – you just have to know who to call. For the best service in window cleaning, Toronto has to offer, call Shine Windows.