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Cleaning the windows in your home can be a rewarding task that enhances the appearance of your living space and allows natural light to flood in. However, it’s important to approach window cleaning with care and avoid common mistakes.
These mistakes can hinder your efforts and leave you with less-than-desirable results. In this blog post, we will guide you through essential tips to help you avoid mistakes while cleaning the windows in your home, ensuring a streak-free shine and a clear view.
You may start by dusting your windows as a way to ensure they are clean. Your family’s and your home’s health depends on clean windows.
The easiest method to avoid a dirty window is to dust it often. Do this before starting the actual window cleaning process to check for any dirt or other debris. Additionally, this will lessen streaking. Consider hiring an expert who can assist you with these tasks often if your calendar is busy.
Neglecting Dry Cleaning
One common mistake is skipping the crucial step of dry cleaning. Before applying any cleaning solution, it’s important to remove loose dirt, dust, and cobwebs from the window surface and frames. Use a soft brush or microfiber cloth to gently brush away debris, ensuring a clean starting point for the wet cleaning process.
This will stop dirt from combining with the cleaner to create a muddy mess. If the window screen seems very dirty, take it out, wash it in hot, sudsy water with a soft brush, rinse it, and then put it back in once it has had time to dry.
Using the Wrong Cleaning Solutions
Choosing the wrong cleaning solutions can lead to streaks, residue, and potential damage to your windows. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they can leave behind unwanted marks and harm the window surfaces.
Opt for gentle glass cleaners or create your own solution by mixing water and vinegar in equal parts. This natural and effective solution will help achieve a streak-free shine.
Overusing Cleaning Solution
Applying excessive amounts of cleaning solution can lead to streaks and make the cleaning process more difficult. Use the cleaning solution sparingly, applying it evenly on the window surface. This will prevent excess liquid from dripping or pooling, allowing for more efficient and effective cleaning.
Wiping with the Wrong Materials
Choosing the wrong materials for wiping can also result in streaks or lint left behind on the windows. Microfiber cloths are excellent for window cleaning as they are absorbent, non-abrasive, and leave no lint. Avoid using paper towels, newspapers, or regular clothes, as they may leave behind unwanted residue or fibers.
Wiping in Circular Motions
When wiping the windows, avoid using circular motions. Circular wiping can spread dirt and cleaning solutions around, making it difficult to achieve a streak-free finish. Instead, opt for vertical or horizontal strokes with a squeegee or microfiber cloth. Start from the top and work your way down, overlapping each stroke slightly to ensure thorough cleaning.
Neglecting Window Frames and Sills
Window frames and sills play a significant role in the overall appearance of your windows. Neglecting these areas can result in an incomplete and less-than-ideal cleaning job. Take the time to wipe down the frames and sills with a damp cloth or sponge, removing dirt and grime for a polished finish.
If you’ve made the significant investment in new windows, you will want to maintain the frames and sills for years to come. Especially in a locality like a seaside town in Scotland, like with newly-fitted double glazing windows in Ayrshire, the frames will get blasted with sea air and will need a keen eye kept on them for their maintenance.
Cleaning Windows in Direct Sunlight
Cleaning windows in direct sunlight can cause the cleaning solution to dry quickly, leading to streaks and uneven cleaning. Choose a time of day when the windows are shaded or work on cloudy days to ensure optimal cleaning conditions.
This will allow you to wipe the windows without the cleaning solution evaporating too fast.
Clean The Area Around The Glass
One of the best parts about cleaning windows is hearing the waterfall and seeing the drops on your glass. If the area around the glass isn’t cleaned, the wind might get through and cause them to fog up.
Along with making it harder for you to see what you’re doing, this leaves streaks on your glass. First wiping the rain off the window before reaching inside with a cleaning cloth or squeegee, is simply avoidable.
Conclusion
It’s not everyone’s favorite housekeeping task to clean windows. But for the majority, it’s probably not enjoyable because you’re wasting time by doing typical window-washing blunders.
One-half of the talent is knowing how to clean windows. The other half is overestimating or underestimating the advice provided in all of these how-to-clean Windows publications.
By avoiding common mistakes, you can achieve sparkling and clear windows in your home. Remember to start with dry cleaning, choose the right cleaning solutions and materials. Wipe in straight strokes, and give attention to window frames and sills.
Additionally, be mindful of cleaning in optimal lighting conditions to prevent streaks and uneven results. With these tips in mind, you can confidently tackle window cleaning and enjoy the benefits of a pristine and bright living environment.
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