Washing windows is probably a job that many hate, because you have to struggle with dirt, water droplets, dozens of sheets of kitchen paper or newspaper and annoying streaks. There are many techniques and methods available and it is quite difficult to define which is the most effective. However, when in doubt, it is always worth observing how professionals work. Ultimately, cleaning windows is their job; the quick method they use involves the use of a bucket with a detergent solution, a sponge or spatula and a brush pulls water.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Pretreatment
Step 1. Eliminate stubborn stains
The outside of the windows is particularly susceptible to this kind of dirt, because it is exposed to showers of limestone water, minerals, bird feces and atmospheric agents, which cause dust and dirt to become encrusted. You can follow some methods to get rid of these stains inside and inside the windows:
- Use a descaling cleaner. Dampen a sponge with the product and rub it on the stains on the glass. Rinse with water and then proceed with normal cleaning.
- Spray the affected area with pure vinegar and let it work for at least five minutes. Use a sponge or rag to scrub and continue with the usual cleaning.
- Make a paste with water and an oxalic acid-based cleaner. Apply it to stubborn stains with a clean cloth and scrub vigorously. Rinse off the mixture and continue as usual.
Step 2. Remove the stickers and decals
It is difficult to get the goo off of glass, whether you have children who like to decorate with stickers or have applied decals to prevent birds from bumping into windows. However, all you really need is a spray bottle full of water and a scraper with a sharp edge.
- Spray the water on the stickers and wait a couple of minutes for it to be absorbed.
- Hold the scraper against the window so that it forms a 45 ° angle and apply light pressure. Start at the base of the stickers and scrape upwards, trying to insert the blade under the sticker itself. Use a rag to get rid of the water.
Step 3. Remove and clean the mosquito nets
Clean them every time you wash the windows, whether they are internal or external; this work should be done twice a year. Take them apart and vacuum clean them to get rid of dust and dirt.
Wash them with a clean cloth or sponge and warm water mixed with a little vinegar or dish soap. Wait for them to air dry completely before putting them back in
Step 4. Remove dirt and dust from outside windows
These are exposed to all kinds of grease, dust, pollutants and other substances. If they are really very dirty, start the process by wetting them with a garden hose to remove the top layer of dirt from both the windows and the window frames.
If you don't have a garden hose, use a lint-free cotton cloth and water to remove some of the dirt
Step 5. Dust or clean the inside with a vacuum cleaner
Do not leave out any area of the windows and fixtures, corners included. This way, you avoid spreading the dust as you clean.
Before you start cleaning the inside, spread a large towel in front of the window to catch any splashes of liquid
Part 2 of 2: Cleaning the Interior and Exterior of the Windows
Step 1. Gather everything you need and tools
You need some materials to do basic window cleaning, including:
- Brush or sponge (or window cleaner brush);
- Brush pulls water into rubber to dry;
- Absorbent microfiber cloth or lint-free rag;
- Clean cloth or rag;
- Bucket with detergent solution;
- Large towel to protect the floor inside.
Step 2. Prepare the cleaning solution
You can use different window products, but most experts recommend using a simple mixture of dish soap and water. If you use a spray bottle and sheets of kitchen paper or newspaper, you just move the dust mixed with the cleaner, leaving the glass opaque and streaked. To make the cleaner you can mix:
- Eight liters of water with 6 ml of liquid dish detergent;
- Equal parts water and white vinegar;
- 60 ml of isopropyl alcohol with an equal amount of vinegar, 15 g of corn starch (to avoid streaks) and 500 ml of water.
Step 3. Clean the windows
For windows with multiple panels you can use a sponge, while for those with a single pane of glass it is better to use a water brush. Dip the sponge into the bucket of detergent, squeeze out the excess liquid and scrub the entire window, taking care to clean the corners well as well.
- To clean the outside without using a ladder, attach the water brush to an extendable handle or broom handle.
- When you've cleaned one window, remember to dry it before moving on to the next one. If the brush pulls water "squeaks" a lot while you wash or dry the glass, add a little more soap to the water.
Step 4. Rub the glass to dry
If you have small glass windows, use the rubber edge of the water brush to remove the water. To do this, move the tool from the top to the base of the window. For a French door or a very large window, make horizontal movements, starting from the top and moving gradually towards the floor. Make each movement overlap the previous one by a few inches and wipe the rubber edge of the tool after each stroke, using a lint-free cloth.
- Make sure the rubber never loses contact with the glass.
- An easy way to get a clean streak-free window is to buy a good quality water brush and make sure the rubber edge is always in perfect condition. Replace the rubber strip when it looks worn, because in this case it is not able to adhere well to the glass, leaving streaks.
Step 5. Wipe off excess water with a cloth
Dry any surface of the window where water has splashed or dripped using an absorbent, lint-free cloth. This way, no streaks form on the glass.
