How to Clean Windows Properly – From Top to Bottom

One of the quickest ways to brighten up your home and create a fresh, clean aesthetic is to clean your windows. Shining up the glass and eliminating dirt from around the windowsills, tracks, and windscreens improves the overall look of your home while also maintaining the overall condition of your windows. Learning how to clean windows the right way ensures maximum results with minimal effort. Follow along for our step-by-step guide to get your windows sparkling clean.

Start With Window Screens

Window screens are one of the most neglected parts of a window when it comes to cleaning and maintenance efforts. However, cleaning your window screens offers many benefits. Taking the time to clean your screens extends their lifespan. The accumulation of dirt and grime will eventually start to take its toll on the screen material, leading to deterioration. Leaving dirt and dust particles trapped in the screen also impacts the air quality in your home. Every time your open your window to get some fresh air, those air-pollutants are stirred up and blown into your home for you to breathe. Additionally, leaving your window screens unattended makes it harder for the rest of the window parts to stay clean.

When cleaning window screens, the first step is to remove the dirt, dust, and debris. You can use a soft brush, dry cloth, or even the vacuum to knock it loose from the fibres. If you have removable window screens, you can take them out from the frames completely to make it easier to clean. Next, you will take warm soapy water and begin to wash any grime that is left behind. For particularly stubborn grime, you can use a toothbrush to gently scrub. Once the screens are clean, you will just let them air-dry.

Move Onto Windowsills & Tracks

The next part of the windows that needs to be cleaned are the windowsills, tracks, and other operating mechanisms. These areas can be quite tricky to get clean, as they feature several crevices and tight corners where dirt easily gets trapped. If left unaddressed, this buildup can affect the operation of your windows. Dirt and grime in the window tracks especially can impede the seal of your windows, decreasing energy-efficiency and increasing the risk of mold and mildew.

Same as with the window screens, you want to make sure you vacuum up any visible dirt or debris before adding water. If you try to wipe the tracks or sills while there is loose dirt or dust on the surface it will inevitably create mud that will just get smeared around. Once this debris is effectively removed, you can get some warm water with a mild cleaner. Distilled white vinegar is a great natural product that has antifungal properties. Using a cloth or soft sponge, wipe the entire frame of the window, including the handles and locking mechanisms. For stubborn areas where grime is stuck, including window tracks and clogged windowsill weep holes, you can use a toothbrush or other small brush to clear them out. Another trick for cleaning tight spots is to wrap a rag around the end of a butter knife and use it to gently scrape the grime out. If there is any water pooled in the window tracks or other areas, take a dry rag or paper towel and soak up the moisture.

Shine Up the Glass

For streak-free shine, the glass should be the very last part of the windows that are cleaned. If you do not take the time clean up the dirt and grime around the trim/frame of the window first, you will just end up smearing it across the glass. Once those areas are adequately scrubbed, washing the window glass becomes a breeze. You can simply fill a spray bottle with window cleaner, such as diluted distilled white vinegar, and spray the entire glass surface. Then, using a soft cloth, gently wipe away any grime, stains, and streaks to reveal the brilliant shine of your window glass. Not only does gleaming glass improve the overall aesthetic of your home, but it also prevents glass degradation – making your windows last even longer.

Conclusion

Cleaning your windows properly is an important step in maintaining their condition and ensuring the highest performance over time. With clean windows you can enjoy more than just a clear view.