As we move from Winter into Spring, it’s time to invite the brightness back into your home with sparkling clean, streak-free windows. From making your own window cleaning solution to the old trusted newspaper trick, there are plenty of ways to bring the shine back to your windows. It’s easy to underestimate the power of clean windows and the way they can transform your rooms, making them light, bright and good for the soul.
Noticed a damaged window whilst you’re cleaning? Don’t let it hang around. Here at Cornish Glazing, we understand that when a window is damaged it needs to be repaired quickly. We are more than capable of carrying out window repairs no matter how big the job is.
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What You’ll Need:
To begin cleaning your windows and get a professional finish, you’ll need:
- Large dry brush or broom handle for removing cobwebs and dust
- Bucket
- Sponge
- Squeegee
- Purpose made window cleaning solutions or vinegar
- Brown paper or newspaper
- Microfibre cloth
- Dry lint free cloth or drying pad
Remove Your Curtain and Blinds
Start by taking down any curtains and blinds. If you can, this is a great opportunity to give your curtains a thorough wash or spritz with a fabric cleaner. Once they’re down, use a dry brush or dusting attachment on a vacuum to sweep away any lurking dust or cobwebs from around the corners of the windows and windowsills.
What’s the Best Thing to Clean Windows With?
We recommend that for the best results, use good old soapy water to wash your windows. Fill a bucket with a simple solution of washing-up liquid and warm water, but make sure to avoid creating too many soap suds, as they will leave further marks if allowed to dry. Washing the windows with non-abrasive sponge.
Alternatively, you can use a specific window-cleaning fluid, but it’s important to make sure that these strong formulas don’t damage ant if the surrounding paintwork.
How To Avoid Streaking
To remove all the soapy water from the glass, put a clean squeegee to work from top to bottom in a reverse s pattern. Make sure to periodically wipe the squeegee blade on a clean rag, to make sure that any dirt is taken off the window and not smeared around.
Then, you can remove any remaining water with a damp chamois or a microfibre cloth and dry the windowsill. Microfibre cloths can be simply popped into the washing machine, ready for next time – making them a fairly eco-friendly way of cleaning the windows. Avoid paper towels or cloths that might leave little bits of lint deposits on the glass.
If you’re trying to clean exterior upper-floor panes, it could be worth investing in a handy gadget with a u shaped pole to avoid reaching out of top-floor windows!
More Traditional Methods
If you would prefer a more traditional method and to make your own cleaning solutions, add two tablespoons of vinegar to a small bucket of warm water. If you’re using a vinegar solution, be sure to take care with any matt-painted or undercoated-only frames – they could stain. Also, be sue to air the room out afterwards – the vinegar fumes won’t hurt you but they can be rather strong and overwhelming.
If your windows need an extra bit of tough love, add two tablespoons of household ammonia, but make sure to wear rubber gloves and be extra careful. Buff you clean dry glass with some crumpled newspaper, to give your windows a sparkling, flawless finish.
Get the Perfect Timing
It may seem like the best idea to wash the windows on a bright sunny day, as the light makes it much easier to spot any streaks or smears. Though, in reality, it’s best to aim for a cloudy day, otherwise the sun will dry the glass too quickly, resulting in large streaks.
One last tip, aim to clean your windows at least twice a year to keep your rooms light and bright. The job will be heaps easier, if your divide the job up and do it room by room.
Freya is the content writer here at Cornish Glazing Bristol. She is passionate about the industry and provides our customers with all the information and advice they need.