Cleaning Your Windows After Winter

There’s a moment every spring in Connecticut when you realize your windows didn’t survive winter with dignity. Somewhere between the salt, the snow, and months of being sealed shut, they’ve picked up a film that no amount of wishful thinking will fix.

The good news? Cleaning them is one of the fastest ways to make your whole house feel lighter, brighter, and, dare we say, put together again.

Before you grab the spray bottle, timing matters more than people think. Bright sunshine might feel motivating, but it’s actually working against you. Heat causes cleaning solution to dry too quickly, which is how you end up chasing streaks around the glass. A mild, overcast day gives you a fighting chance to do it right the first time.

Start by going dry. It’s tempting to jump straight into spraying, but that’s how you turn dust into sludge. A quick pass with a microfiber cloth or vacuum along the sills and frames clears out the buildup so you’re not just smearing it around later.

When it comes to cleaning solution, you don’t need anything fancy. A simple mix of water and white vinegar handles most of what winter leaves behind. If you’re dealing with kitchen windows or anything that feels a little…mysterious…a drop of dish soap will cut through it without leaving residue.

Now here’s where most people go wrong: paper towels. They seem convenient, but they leave lint and streaks behind. A microfiber cloth works better, and if you really want that clean, professional finish, a squeegee is worth it. Work from top to bottom and wipe the blade as you go. Otherwise you’re just redistributing the mess.

Don’t ignore the screens, either. They’ve spent months collecting dust, pollen, and whatever the wind decided to throw at them. A gentle scrub with warm, soapy water makes a noticeable difference, not just in how things look, but in how the air feels once those windows are open again.

And while you’re in the middle of all this, take a minute to actually look at your windows. If you notice condensation between panes, sticking frames, or windows that refuse to cooperate, that’s not just “old house charm.” It’s a sign they may be on their way out.

In a place like Connecticut, where we ask a lot from our homes through every season, older windows can quietly drive up energy costs and make your space less comfortable than it should be. Sometimes a cleaning turns into a realization, and that’s not a bad thing.

At the end of the day, this is one of those rare home projects that delivers immediate payoff. More light, clearer views, and a space that feels refreshed without spending much at all. And if nothing else, at least you’ll finally see what your yard actually looks like again.

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 visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

10 Hacks To Make Window Washing A Little Less Painful

This past weekend my family tackled the tough job of cleaning the windows in my daughter’s recently purchased historical home. After years of built-up dirt, this was no easy task and let me tell you, it made me appreciate my easy to clean vinyl windows a whole lot more. But with a house in a historic district, efficiency upgrades aren’t as simple as they are with other homes, so a morning of cleaning was inevitable. Luckily, with a few simple tricks, we got the job done and the windows look amazing. 

Window washing is a dreaded task, but a few hours can make all the difference. Here are 10 of my favorite tricks, tips, and hacks to simplify the job and get your glass gleaming again.

1. Never clean windows on a hot day. The glass will heat up, causing your washing solution to dry on the panes faster than you’ll be able to wipe it off. A cloudy, overcast day is your best bet for this job. 

2. 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, just don’t forget to wipe the blade between swipes!

3. Here is a great DIY window cleaning solution. Combine one cup hot water and one cup 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 streak-free shine. 

4. To get rid of really pesky streaks, use a dry board eraser. Unlike paper towels, an eraser can do away with streaks without leaving lint behind. 

5. 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. 

6. If you’ve run out of paper towels, old newspapers are a great alternative. The ink will get on your hands but you don't have to worry about lint getting left behind on the windows.

7. Hard water spots can be tough to remove with regular window cleaner. A dryer sheet will do the trick, just buff in circular motions. It works on mirrors and shower doors too. 

8. 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. 

9. Hate cleaning blinds? Wrap a pair of kitchen tongs in two microfiber cloths and secure with an elastic band on either side. Run the tongs between each slat to remove dust and pet dander. 

10. 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 after this round of window washing you swear it will be your last, consider upgrading to vinyl windows. The seamless, tilt-in design makes them so easy to clean and the energy efficiency can’t be beaten. 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 visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.