Clean Your Windows
Before you can do anything else, there are some tools you will need to
collect:
- A squeegee with rubber blades on it
- A big sponge or a scrubber
-
Rags with no lint on them – use t-shirts you plan on discarding, or
linen towels, or even chamois cloth, if you know what that is.
- Some dishwashing detergent
- A five-gallon bucket
Now that spring is here you’ll probably choose to go outside on a warmer
day. If this is the case, then you’ll want to use some cool water on your
windows. Squeegeeing the windows with this water will help prevent unsightly
streaks from forming. Don’t use too much detergent, either. If there are
too many suds, you’re probably doing more harm than good. Use the scrubber
and the squeegee together. After each swipe of the squeegee, use the cloth
to wipe down the scrubber to get rid of dirt, debris, and excess water.
Pay some attention to the bottom of the window along with the top, and if
the rags that you’re using get too dirty, then swap them out for a set of
clean ones instead.
Dealing with Multi-Pane Windows
Depending on the last time you replaced your windows, the window you’re
attempting to
clean
could have more than one pane of glass. For these windows, you will want
to use a slightly smaller squeegee than the one you would use for a
single-pane window. Sponges and hog-bristle brushes will be your best tool
for getting these windows clean. Squeegee the window and clean the blade.
If you keep hearing an annoying squeak, that means you haven’t used enough
soap.
Getting Rid of Spots
You’ve got to get rid of any stubborn spots that won’t go away. Hard water
will form given enough time, and these spots will be tough to remove, much
tougher than making condensation go away. Clean the windows as described
above, and then use steel wool or cleaning products with oxalic acid in
it. Look at the ingredients in the cleaner before you proceed, though.
That’s because you might accidentally scratch the window you’re working
on, and you don’t want that to happen! Mix up the powder until it turns
into a paste; once it has, use a towel to spread it around on the window.
Then rinse and wipe away the remaining residue.