With winter in full flow and the heating switched on, inevitably it’s that time to think about cleaning your windows on the inside as well as out.
Of course, letting in some natural light will easily brighten up your space, however, cleaning out the deeper dirt and grime in the surrounding window frames also helps maintain the core integrity and structure of your sash & case windows.
In this blog post, we have narrowed down seven useful tips that can help you transform your rooms with sparkling clean and streak-free windows. But first, let us look at the list of supplies you will need to get your windows to look almost as good as new:
• Sponge & bucket
• Large broom handle or dry brush (to remove dust and cobwebs)
• Squeegee
• Vinegar or purpose-made window cleaning solution
• Microfibre cloth
• Newspaper (or scrunched up brown paper)
• Drying pan or dry lint-free cloth
1. Take Down the Curtains and Blinds
The first thing you need to do is get your blinds and curtains out of the way. If possible, consider washing your drapes with a fabric freshener (e.g. Febreze). Get a dry brush to sweep away any cobwebs or dust that may have accumulated on the windowsills or around the corners.
2. Clean the Windows
We liked this tip from cleaning expert, Lynsey Queen, who advises using white vinegar for the best cleaning outcome. It may smell for a couple of minutes, but the great thing is that you won’t need to use a lot of it to remove all the layers of grime from your windows.
You can also use soapy water instead. All you need to do is fill up a bucket with warm water and your choice of washing-up liquid and use a non-abrasive sponge to clean the windows. Try not to make too many soap suds as they can leave streaks or marks on the windows once they’re allowed to dry.
3. Work in an S-Shape
Try to work in an S-shape using a microfibre cloth to get into every bit and corner. You may also use a squeegee to achieve a squeaky-clean look. It is advisable to wipe the squeegee blade on a clean rag to make sure you are not smearing any dirt marks around.
Wipe off the excess cleaner and remaining water using a damp microfibre cloth before drying the windowsill.
Useful tip: Do not use cloths or paper towels that may leave lint on the glass.
4. Make Your Own Window Cleaning Solution
If you are interested in preparing your own window cleaning solution, take a small bucket, fill it with warm water and then add two tablespoons of vinegar to it. Use this solution with a sponge to get a gleaming finish on your windows.
Suppose your windows look particularly dirty and require a bit of elbow grease. In that case, you can add two tablespoons of household ammonia to the solution but remember to wear rubber gloves to avoid damaging your hands.
Use brown paper or old, crumpled newspaper to buff your clean window to ensure there are no streaks or marks left.
5. Use a Whitening Product on White Window Frames
If your window frames are made from white PVC, you can use a whitening product or a cream-based clean to keep them looking as good as new. You may also consider using white toothpaste and leaving it in for a while.
6. Try to fully clean your windows and frames at least two times every year.
A simple instruction, but amazing how many forget to do it.
7. Choose a cloudy day
Instead of cleaning your windows on a sunny day, you should aim for a cloudy day because the sun can cause the cleaning solution to dry too quickly and leave the dreaded smears behind.
In summary, keep these window cleaning tips in mind to ensure that your sash and case windows will look sparkly and streak-free all year round.
