After ironing, window cleaning is probably the second most hated household chore. Windows are large, get dirty easily and never seem to be streak free no matter what products you use. Dirty sills and frames, smeared finger prints and even marks from rain drops can make cleaning your windows a complicated task, but cleaning them can be done quickly and easily.
Here are three tips for cleaning your windows with minimal effort and cost:
1 – First, before you begin cleaning the windows you should inspect the sill and frame for dirt and cobwebs, using a dustpan and brush or feather duster to remove them. This will ensure that you will not create a mess later when actually wiping your windows clean, as loose dirt will not cling to your cloth and cause streaky marks over the glass. You can use a shop-bought polish and a dusting clothing, or you can simply opt for a damp cloth dipped in hot water which will almost certainly do the trick just as well.
2 – Next, you should clean the shutters or blinds, if you have them, which are probably layered with dust if they haven’t been cleaned since last year. Rather than actually having to take them down you can simply use a vacuum cleaner to suck the dust away and then use a damp cloth to clean up any stubborn marks that may be left. If you have curtains, they’re probably filled with dust too so get them dry cleaned or simply take them outside, hang them on your washing line and hit them to loosen up and free any dust particles.
3 – The final tip to ensure gleaming windows is to polish the glass. It can be difficult to clean both sides of the glass, especially if your windows are tilted. Window cleaning products rarely work better than hot water – if you find this still leaves them streaky, add in some vinegar. After wiping the surfaces with this use a clean, dust free cloth to dry them off, using small, circular motions to avoid streaks.
Repeat this process on the other side of the window. If you have tilted windows tilt them the opposite way and in a vertical motion wipe them clean with the cloth. This will make sure you will be left with no streaks. For windows that do not open, or are hard to reach from the inside, it may be necessary to get a ladder (or a professional) and clean them from the outside.
These quick and easy tips can greatly help to ensure that your windows will be left clean and sparkling from the inside and outside, enhancing the overall appearance of your rooms.
About the author: Michelle Star writes for Bray Cleaning, a commercial and domestic cleaning company who offer window cleaning, as well as a range of other services such as ironing services and carpet cleaning.
Credits: Photo courtesy of Amanda Slater.