Windows add value and beauty to your home, as they are attractive and let in the natural light. If you own a home with a lot of windows, however, you have probably experienced some frustration when it comes to cleaning your windows so that they look great and let in as much light as possible. If you still have old, dingy windows in your home, it is time to update to newer windows from a company like Polar Seal Windows. If you are simply tired of cleaning your windows and having them still look dingy, the following article may be able to help, as it offers some tips for cleaning your windows and keeping them looking great all year round.
Tips for Cleaning Your Windows
Cleaning your windows can sometimes be frustrating, and so it is important that you use the right products and the right materials for the job. The following list outlines some helpful tips for cleaning your windows to keep them looking great all year round:
- Use a lint-free or microfiber cloth: Most people use paper toweling to clean their mirrors and windows, as they are cheap and can be thrown away. Paper towel is not the best material for cleaning windows, as it falls apart quickly and leaves unsightly residue on your mirrors and windows as well. Use a lint-free or microfiber cloth to clean your windows instead. You will notice that they clean more easily and do not leave any lint or residue behind.
- Use vinegar instead of Windex: If you are looking for a more green method of cleaning your windows that deodorizes the area as well, try diluting vinegar in water and washing your windows with it. There are many recipes for home made cleaners online, so try a few of them until you find the one that suits you best.
- Clean your window screens as well: Cleaning your windows on the outside may be a waste of time if you do not take the time to clean your window screen as well, since dirt gets trapped in the screen and will blow onto your newly clean window the first change it gets. You can simply rinse your window screen out with a hose, or clean it using your vinegar/water mixture to deodorize it and clean more thoroughly. While you are at it, you might as well clean out your window grates to get rid of the dirt, dust, and dead bugs that collect there.
- Redirect your water sprinklers: In the summer months your water sprinklers may be hitting your windows each day, causing water spots to develop. Turn on your sprinkling system and carefully check to see if the water is hitting the windows, and if so, redirect the water accordingly.
- Run your oven fan while cooking: Have you ever noticed that your kitchen window has a build up of a thin film on it? This is residue from your stove created while you are cooking. Running your oven fan while you are cooking will help to reduce this film build up. To get rid of this excess build up, products like Windex are typically ineffective. It is best to use a product that cuts through grease effectively. Since many of these grease-fighting products leave a film of their own on glass surfaces, you would have better results if you used a vinegar/water solution instead. You may need to let the solution soak for several minutes before it will effectively cut through the grease.
- Get new windows: If your windows are over a decade old, it is recommended that you replace them with newer ones from a company such as Polar Seal Windows.