If washing your glass windows is part of your spring maintenance routine, consider expanding the ritual this year. We have tips to make your windows sparkle and to take your yearly maintenance one step further! Instead of just wiping down your windows, following these proper yearly maintenance guidelines will add years to the life of your new windows.
Washing Windows
All you need to make your windows sparkle like never before is dish detergent, a squeegee, an old towel, a vacuum cleaner, paper towels, a non-linting microfiber cloth and a spray bottle. Pick a cloudy day to wash your windows, as sunlight will make them dry too quickly and can leave streaks. You do not need a specialty cleaner to make your windows sparkly and clean. A couple of drops of mild dish detergent mixed with warm water will work perfectly . Dish detergent is the perfect window cleaner because it is made to cut the grease that has built up on your window over time . An added bonus to using mild detergent to clean your windows is the fact that the detergent does not contain any harsh chemical gasses that would be released into the atmosphere or even into your home . Put your homemade solution into a spray bottle and you are good to go!
Tilt in your windows for easy cleaning. Spray one side of the widow with your cleaning mixture and wash it with a microfiber cloth. After washing, wipe the window down with a squeegee. Keep the squeegee clean between strokes by wiping it off with a towel. Try to alternate the direction of your strokes to reduce streaking . Use the same process on the inside of the window – spray, wash, squeegee and repeat.
Use your homemade spray to clean the window sill as well, it is likely pretty dirty. Clean the spray and dirt up with a few paper towels or the microfiber cloth.
Looking for Damage
Now that the windows are clean, look for damage. Often, we think of window damage as a break by a baseball or other glass shattering incident . In fact, there are several other ways windows can be damaged subtly. Some of these subtle problems include water damage from faulty roofing or gutters, poor interior ventilation, stress fractures from ice, and a shifting foundation that warps the window openings. This damage develops over time, which makes it easy to miss. These small problems will compound to create excessive damage which will force you to purchase an entire home’s worth of replacement windows. Regularly checking your windows for damage and then purchasing new ones in smaller quantities will be easier on your wallet.
Checking Hardware and Treatments
When you are sure the windows are securely back in place, it is time to look at your window hardware. Both hinged and sliding windows are susceptible to damage which will keep them from staying open or closed. If you are having a problem with keeping windows open, it’s time to call the experts – don’t prop open the window with a stick! This will further damage the window casing and will be more costly in the end. In most cases, these are quick and relatively inexpensive fixes.
By now, your windows should be clean, damage-free and open. That means it’s time to kick back with a glass of lemonade and enjoy a summer of sparkly windows!