When that summer sun starts shining, everything about your home gets a special kind of glow. Things look bright and attractive, but the light can also highlight the forgotten mess like dirty windows and doors. Regular home care and property maintenance throughout the year can help with that, so here are some ways you can keep things glistening:
- When is the best time to clean your windows?
- How to clean your windows from the inside and outside
- How to avoid streaks when cleaning windows
Clean doors, windows and frames add to your curb appeal, so let’s find out more…
The professionals have all got their top tips and recommendations on the basics, but they don’t always cover all the nitty-gritty bits so you can end up with a disappointing finish. To help you get your windows truly shining, here are some common Q and A’s for you:
1. When is the best time to clean your windows?
It might not seem like it, but when you clean your windows does affect the finished product. You might lump it in with all your spring and summer cleaning or DIY projects, but that’s not the most ideal thing to do.The best time to clean your windows is during the autumn and winter months when there is plenty of cloud cover. Why, you ask? Well, here are some benefits of cleaning windows in the cooler months:
You’re less likely to miss the mess.
These times of year have less sunshine and more clouds to block any potential glare from errant rays of light giving you a clear, less reflective view.There’s less heat.
In the hotter months, the glass can absorb all the sun’s heat, which means the water can dry out on contact. In cooler, cloudier weather, this is not a problem.No sunburn.
Yes, with cloud cover, there’s more protection from those pesky UVA and UVB rays, so there’s little danger of sunburn or skin damage.The time of day has an impact as well – no one likes to do property maintenance or work in which they’re likely to get sweaty during the hottest time of the day. Stick to the mornings to late afternoons and evenings for comfortable window washing.
2. How to clean your windows from the inside and outside
For the best, most visual difference, it’s best to clean the insides and the outsides of your windows on the same day.Cleaning Windows from Inside
You may not think there’s much mess on the inside, but if you only clean the outsides, you’ll be in for a shock! There’s likely fingerprints, smudges and possibly condensation build-up all over the insides of your windows – you probably just can’t see as it blends with the outside dirt and debris. Here’s the basic technique:- Start by wiping down the window frames with an all-purpose cleaning solution that’s anti-bacterial and disinfecting. Use a clean microfibre cloth the prevent any damage.
- Next, put some towels or rags at the base of the window to protect your windowsills or floors.
- Spray or soak the glass in your chosen cleaning solution and let it sit for a minute to soak into any marks. It may drip down the glass a bit, but your towels will catch any run-off.
- Using a clean squeegee, start from the top and swipe left to right, then wipe the squeegee dry.
- Repeat the swipe and dry method all down the window, overlapping to catch any missed sections.
- Once all the cleaning solution has been swiped off, give the glass a final buff with a clean microfibre cloth.
- Finish off by giving the frames, edges and corners a final wipe as well.
Top Tip – This method works for all glass in your home – shower screens, picture frames and mirrors too!
Cleaning windows outside
You can use the same method to clean your outside windows too. They’re likely to be quite a bit dirtier, but you can be vigorous and use more water when you’re outside to help clean them off.For ground floor windows, follow the method for inside without the added towels to protect the floor.
For upper floor windows, it might be worth accessing these from the inside to be safe. Just open all your windows wide and reach out with your arms to clean the external glass and frames as above.
If this isn’t ideal, then you could invest in an extendable pole and brush or use a ladder with someone keeping you steady below. There are plenty of gadgets and other methods too.
3. How to avoid streaks when cleaning windows
Streaks on your windows after cleaning are super annoying. Imagine putting in all that effort and coming back inside to see a big old cloudy mark across the glass, well worry no more!
The key to clean windows without streaks is simple: clean tools and the right solutions.
Streaks are common when you use an alcohol-based cleaning solution as it dries fast and can leave a film. Instead, choose a streak-free professional solution. Vinegar and water will work as well, so will watered-down washing up liquid in a pinch.
Streaks are also made when doing your final wipe down. If you catch a bit of leftover moisture with a dirty cloth, you’re just going to end up spreading the mess again. Use a clean cloth at every stage for the best results.
What this all means is that you need to avoid sun and heat and keep all your tools clean while you work. Do this, and your window cleaning home care and property maintenance will be easy as pie, and you’ll have wonderful streak-free glistening views both inside and out.
The key to clean windows without streaks is simple: clean tools and the right solutions.
Streaks are common when you use an alcohol-based cleaning solution as it dries fast and can leave a film. Instead, choose a streak-free professional solution. Vinegar and water will work as well, so will watered-down washing up liquid in a pinch.
Streaks are also made when doing your final wipe down. If you catch a bit of leftover moisture with a dirty cloth, you’re just going to end up spreading the mess again. Use a clean cloth at every stage for the best results.
What this all means is that you need to avoid sun and heat and keep all your tools clean while you work. Do this, and your window cleaning home care and property maintenance will be easy as pie, and you’ll have wonderful streak-free glistening views both inside and out.
