It’s a good idea to wash your windows at least twice each year to keep up with all the dirt and grime Mother Nature blows your way. Special tools the pros use can make the task easier, but if all you’ve got is a few clean cloths and a good cleaning solution, you’re well on your way!
First things first, you’ll want to remove your screens. Most screens are held under tension in place by metal springs on one side and they will have pull tabs on the opposite side. Don’t just pull on the tabs! You could pull them out! To remove the screen, you want to release the tension on the spring side. Push the screen frame into the window frame and use the tabs as a guide to ease the screen out of the frame.
Next, especially if you have very dirty windows, it’s a good idea to prewash them by hand to remove built up dirt. Avoid hosing them down as the alkaline in our water will cause spots and you’ll have to start all over again! Rinse clean and follow up with the steps below for a streak-free shine.
Cleaning tips
Don’t Wash in the Sun: Don’t wash windows in direct sunlight because the sun can overheat glass and cause streaking.
Use a Squeegee for best results: Use a squeegee on a pole and always keep the rubber up to avoid denting the rubber when not in use. Use an extension pole instead of a ladder for safety.
A good scrubber and squeegee with the right size of pole can make quick work of larger jobs and saves a lot of hand work!
Clean Tools: Make sure your scrubber/wash rag/squeegee are clean. It doesn’t make much sense to clean with dirty tools! Don’t forget to wipe your squeegee between strokes. You don’t want to leave dirt behind. Also, a wet blade will make streak marks more likely.
Overlap Strokes: By at least an inch and angle the squeegee so the dirty water doesn’t drip into the area that is clean and dry.
Use a cleaning solution: Like Glass-Rite cleaner! Or we also recommend a simple solution of equal parts vinegar and water, a Windex solution in water is good also.
- Do not use glass cleaners that are ammonia or alcohol based. They may leave streaks or make a film that attracts moisture or dust.
Be sure to wipe up: Clean up any drips of cleaner or vinegar solution so it doesn’t collect on the frame and cause possible damage. Use a soft lint free cloth or paper towels.
Spot Cleaning Glass
Maybe you just need to get the kids art off the glass and are not making a production of window washing today. Here are some ways to remove any marks from grease, oil, tape adhesive, crayons or paint, or any other marks from plastic that may show up on glass or your window frames.
- Apply a small amount of a non-abrasive cleaner, such as Soft Scrub, or Murphy’s Oil Soap to a clean wet cloth. You can also use a solvent like acetone or mineral spirits applied to a clean dry cloth or paper towel. This is ok for both your glass and the frames.
- Rub on the areas of glass that need spot cleaning. Avoid getting any cleaners or solvents on wood frames.
- Wipe clean using a clean, dry lint free microfiber cloth or paper towel, and then clean the glass normally.
- Razor blades: You can use a razor blade to scrape off stubborn materials. But be sure to use a brand-new blade, and never use it dry! Make sure the blade is wet with cleaner solution before you apply it to the glass. Using an older, used, or dry blade can leave permanent marks or scratches on the glass that could cause glass breakage.
- Do not use a razor blade on tempered glass or specialty safety glass. These glass types have been treated and are easier to scratch.
What You Need
Suggested Materials
- Glass-Rite’s own foaming cleanser (awesome for spot cleaning or fast cleaning jobs)
- A dilutable cleaning solution like Windex, Fabuloso or simple Green
- Vinegar
- Water
- Dishwashing detergent (use sparingly, a little goes a long way!)
Suggested Tools
- Spray bottle
- Bucket
- lint free cloths or paper towels
- Squeegee with a pole
- Scrub brush or other type of scrubber
- New razor blades
- Rubber gloves
Window washing does not have to be a chore! With the right tools and know-how, it can go pretty quickly. Be safe! Use a pole attachment on your squeegee instead of getting up on a ladder for high up windows. If you can’t reach it with a pole, try a professional cleaning service to take care of it for you. We hope this helps! If you have any questions or want to learn more about windows, please stop by our shop and showroom, or give us a call!