Washing windows is a task that requires time, attention, and a lot of elbow grease, as well as being a bit boring and difficult. You may have tried, but the result of your hard work was not exactly what you expected: a few too many haloes and the opacities on the surfaces made you give up.
So putting off is not the solution. A few simple steps are enough to clean the internal windows and polish the windows: here are the tips on How to clean windows inside and outside.
How to clean windows inside and outside?
Before starting, you must know that it is good to clean windows and windows at least once a month and that it is preferable to clean the windows on cloudy days or in any case when the sun’s rays do not reflect directly on the glass.
Another precaution: to work well, you must have free rein. Move objects or furniture that could get in the way of cleaning and cover the floor with newspaper to avoid getting it wet or stained. Otherwise, finished the windows, you should take care of that too!
1. START WITH THE WINDOWS.
Often forgotten, but essential for an optimal final result.
The frames are subject to dust residues and atmospheric agents.
For this reason, first of all, it is advisable to remove the poor from the windows by carefully dusting the window structure or passing a damp cloth.
Only later can you proceed with washing.
But to wash the windows well and avoid damaging them, you need to pay particular attention to the material they are made of.
Let’s immediately see the most suitable solutions for each surface.
PVC joinery.
If your windows are made of PVC, considered lucky because it takes very little to wash them and keep them in perfect shape. As a cleaning product, use a mild degreaser or some dish soap diluted in warm water.
If your PVC fixtures are clear and a little dated, you can combat the typical yellowing with a solution consisting of 1 liter of water, 3 tablespoons of 40 Vol hydrogen peroxide, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and half a teaspoon of dish soap. Leave on for an hour and rinse well.
The result is guaranteed.
Wooden window frames.
Are your windows wooden? They are the most beautiful to look at but also the most delicate. It is better to clean them with a well-wrung cloth and hot water to add a few Marseille soap drops. Be careful not to wet the surface too much as the wood could absorb water and be damaged. Also, check if the painting of the frame is intact or tends to peel off. In this case, you must have the wood treated to ensure its durability.
Aluminum frames.
For aluminum and steel frames, use a microfiber sponge soaked in hot water. If they are very dirty, you can add a drop of degreaser or Marseille soap to the water, while for the closing mechanism, which is difficult to clean, use an old toothbrush.
You can take the opportunity also to check the functioning of mechanical parts and gaskets. To prevent breakdowns or blockages, use a Vaseline spray to keep the machine well lubricated and protect it from oxidation.
2. CHOOSE YOUR WINDOW CLEANER
Do you know that the most common mistake does not concern glass cleaning but the choice of detergents?
That’s right, many products on the market leave residues that build up layer by layer every time you clean your windows.
This is why when the job is finished. They seem worse than before! The solution? Find the cleaner that’s right for you and your windows. Maybe ecological.
Here are some winning recipes to make a DIY window cleaner at no cost.
Water and vinegar: Mix 100 ml of vinegar in half a liter of hot water and put the mixture in a spray container. Apply the mixture to a cloth and away with elbow grease! Vinegar helps remove dirt as it is a natural degreaser.
Water and soap: easier to do than to say! Just pour a tablespoon of liquid soap into a spray with hot water. Remember, however, to rinse the surfaces well after passing the solution.
Dishwashing detergent: since it never fails at home, you can dilute a teaspoon in a basin with half a liter of hot water using the solution to dip the sponge.
Raw potato: it is a secret that few know but really effective. Useful for decreasing glasses and making them shiny. Just cut a potato in half, rub it flat on the glass and rinse thoroughly with hot water.
3. WASHING WINDOWS
Here we are. Now it’s time to make the glass of your windows shine without leaving the dreaded halos.
First of all, you have to dust the glass with a dry cloth to prevent the dust from mixing with the detergent.
After dusting the windows, you can start cleaning: dip the microfiber cloth in the chosen detergent (or pass the potato directly) and start scrubbing with movements from top to bottom, removing the dirt. We advise you to use a lot of water and a little detergent to avoid the formation of halos.
After the first pass, squeeze the cloth well until it is almost dry and wipe it over the entire window to remove residual dirt. Once the glass is clean, you can move on to the decisive stage: drying.
4. GLASS DRYING
You can opt for paper newspapers for glass drying: crumple them into a ball and pass them on the freshly washed glass. The newspaper contains a special ink that helps remove streaks.
If you do not have newspapers or magazines at home, you can opt for a dry microfiber cloth or deerskin: wipe it quickly but with absolute pressure to not leave traces. Remember to scrub well both inside and outside the window or you will leave the job halfway.
And if you are a perfectionist, you can use a vacuum cleaner.
There are various types on the market, electric or battery-powered: all in the name of practicality and comfort.
ERRORS TO AVOID
A small mistake is enough to frustrate the efforts of working hours. It is better to pay attention to the most common mistakes in washing windows that we have all made at least once:
- Clean the windows on too hot and sunny days. Excessive heat dries the water and detergent too soon without having time to act. Also, the sun’s reflections can deceive the view and make you not notice the remaining halos.
- Use rough or abrasive sponges. They could ruin the glass irreparably.
- Use detergents without diluting them with water first. If you are concerned that the solution is not fragrant enough, you can add two lavender essential oil drops.
- Choose kitchen paper or paper towel to dry the windows. It could release particles that are difficult to remove, better rather than a rag made from an old t-shirt.
- Use cold water. It has a lower degreasing power than the hot one and is more challenging to mix with detergents.
