How to Clean Windows
Unlike many other items or areas you clean in your home, you can’t miss the windows. They stay in your peripheral vision, even when you’re trying to ignore them.
I put it off in the naive hope that my husband or children will feel the need to wash the windows. Eventually, I have to face the fact that it’s up to me to get the job done. It's a good thing I'm Mrs Clean!
Don't clean windows in direct sunlight- wait for a cloudy day or wash them before the sun hits the glass. If you clean them when the sun is shining, the cleaning solution will dry on the glass before you have a chance to rinse and that's not a good thing.
Exterior Windows:
Tools Needed:
- Dishwashing liquid
- Hot water in a bucket
- Microfiber cloth
- Squeegee
- Non ammonia Window cleaner
- Hose with a spray nozzle
- Sponge
- Rubber gloves
The Window Cleaning Process:
- Hose down one window
- Wash it with hot soapy water
- Hose it again to rinse the soap off the window. (Fast, don't let it dry).
- Move onto the next one in the queue. Do that window the same way.
- When you’ve finished the second window, the previous one will be dry
Spray the cleaner over the whole area of the first window and buff with a microfiber cloth for a streak free shine.
Interior Windows:
Tools Needed:
- Bucket of hot soapy water and a clean bucket of water
- Sponge or 2 cleaning towels – Your preference
- Non ammonia Window cleaner
- Microfiber cloth
- Squeegee
- Rubber gloves
Indoor window frames don’t have to be cleaned every time, because they don’t get half as dirty as your exterior windows.
The Cleaning Process:
If they are a touch grubby, wash the whole window with soapy water and then wipe the grime away with a clean wet cloth. Move onto the next window while that dries, then go back and spray your window cleaner, buffing with the newspaper as you do. It’s almost exactly like your exterior process.
Mrs. Clean's Window Cleaners and Tools (Recommended):
Glass Cleaner:
The best window cleaner is called method. It's non toxic, ammonia free, earth friendly and contains essential oils so you get a dose of aromatherapy to boot. It cleans well to which is the most important part.
I do LOVE this glass cleaner. If you're getting any streaks, use a microfiber cloth or a squeegee. A coffee filter works in a pinch.
Squeegee:
If you want to clean the windows fast (in 75% less time), and without streaks you need a squeegee. A squeegee makes the job fun. You won't need any paper towels to fill up the land fills, so there's less waste for the planet. I use this one.
It's perfect for streak free windows, removing water spots and soap film from glass, mirror, tile and marble surfaces. It's chrome plated and has a non-slip cushion grip which is critical since you are working with water and slippery soap.
Microfiber:
The last thing in your window cleaning arsenal is a cleaning cloth that is called microfiber. It's not made with cotton so there's no lint to mar the newly cleaned glass. We use microfiber at our cleaning company. It's a must for cleaning any glass. Good for polishing too. Lets not forget to mention that they are CHEAP and last forever, unlike cotton.
Maintenance:
Sometimes you’ll only have to use the spray window cleaner on your indoor windows to get them clean. Pop on some of your favorite music and the time will go by faster. Other than that, your exterior windows should be fine with yearly washing and as long as you don't use a wood fireplace or burn incense or something else that makes the air smoky, once a month cleaning should keep your windows clean.
