Give Windows a Spring Clean
Chelsea O'Donnell
Window washing is a dreaded task that most homeowners don’t bother doing it. But there is nothing like clean glass to help bring the outdoors in and make your house feel really clean. If it has been a while since you gave your windows some love, here are ten of my favorite tricks, tips, and hacks to simplify the job and get your glass gleaming again.
Never clean windows when it’s too cold or too warm. A cloudy, overcast day is your best bet for this job.
Instead of relying on reams of paper towels, stop into your local hardware store and grab an eight-inch squeegee for those small panes. They make the job a lot easier with much less waste.
Don’t forget to wipe your squeegee blade between swipes to remove access cleaning solution and dirt. Otherwise you’ll just be spreading it around.
Here is a great DIY window cleaning solution. Combine one cup of hot water and one cup of white distilled vinegar. Mix in a spray bottle and there you have it. For very grimy windows, clean with hot soap and water first, followed by the vinegar mixture for a nice shine.
To get rid of really pesky streaks, use a dryboard eraser. Unlike paper towels, an eraser can do away with streaks without leaving lint behind.
If you really hate washing windows, take an extra step, and apply a window protectant. The clear polymer coating will help protect the glass from dust, dirt, and grime for longer.
Hard water spots can be tough to remove with a regular window cleaner. A dryer sheet will do the trick, just buff in circular motions. It works on mirrors and shower doors too.
Caterpillars love building nests in window tracks. Clean them out with a thin screwdriver and then follow up with a firm, toothbrush-sized bristle brush.
Hate cleaning blinds? Wrap a pair of kitchen tongs in two microfiber cloths and secure them with an elastic band on either side. Run the tongs between each slat to remove dust and pet dander.
Have a can of WD-40 in the garage? A quick coat on freshly cleaned window sills will prevent dirt and grime from sticking.
If you swear that this round of window washing will be your last, consider upgrading to vinyl windows. The seamless, tilt-in design makes them so easy to clean and they are energy efficient too. It’s one of the best upgrades you can make to your home to save both time and money in the long run.
Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visithttp://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.