Household Tip – Windows

Posted On June 19, 2020

I just washed some windows this morning. There are some household chores I enjoy and some I do not. Some I find very necessary to make my home look the best and some I do not. I think having clean windows and mirrors is key to making your entire home sparkle which makes me enjoy the task. I’ve tried homemade cleaners, pump spray cleaners and aerosol spray cleaners. I’ve used paper towels, newspapers, flour sack material, terry cloth, microfiber cloths and the shammy-type cloths sold by street vendors.

After trial and error, these tips usually result in the cleanest streak-free, film-free windows and mirrors. Don’t wash your windows in direct sunlight or when it is real windy. Use an aerosol spray cleaner. Use a microfiber cloth for washing followed by polishing to a sheen with a dry cotten lint-free cloth.

If you are building or replacing windows and doors, choose one pane windows or enclosed multi-pane type doors and windows. It is quite a Pain to wash multi Paned windows unless the dividers are between the glass. In choosing building plans, make sure you can easily reach all the windows for cleaning or budget for a professional window cleaner. It’s difficult for me to reach my kitchen window above the sink for cleaning. I find it very frustrating. Many people enjoy having a window above their kitchen sink, but much more so if it is a clean window!

If you live in a warm climate, it’s likely that there is a season where you do not open your windows; running the air conditioning instead. If so, remove and stored your window screens until again needed. The view will be much clearer and cleaner looking. An easy place to store them is under the bed or couch in the room where the window screen was removed.

Remember to wash easily overlooked windows, such as the ones in your garage doors. These really are noticeable especially if you have a garage on the front of your house.

If you have small children or they often visit, I suggest getting a squeegie to make it easier and quicker to wash the windows of exterior sliding and French doors. Give them a quick spray of cleaner and then squeegie it off. I used to do this countless times to my patio door when my children were little and it doesn’t take much time.

I’m open to suggestions on the best aerosol cleaner as I don’t think I’ve found it yet. Now, go wash your windows and see how it makes your whole house seem so much cleaner. Don’t think you have the time? Don’t wash them all in one day. I did quite a few this morning in thirty minutes and will do the rest another day. Regularly clean the ones most often seen. Still too big of a job? Regularly clean those that don’t have curtains and leave the rest for one or two times a year.