Photo Courtesy: Patrick Feller
Be it your home or office, windows are your view to the world, but did you know that they also are the world’s viewpoint to you? Dirty windows can indeed make the best piece of architecture look tacky. In workplaces or stores, they may also signal towards the unprofessional and lackluster attitude of the owner – and that can never spell good news for the business.
It is possible that you have attempted cleaning your windows on your own but have been discouraged by the less-than-perfect results. Not anymore! With this collection of tips, you will be able to clean your windows with effortless ease and get sparkling results, just like the pros.
What You Will Need
- A bucket (large enough to accommodate a mop and squeegee)
- Detergent
- Squeegee
- Mop
- Scraper
- Rags
How To Do It
Photo Courtesy: Ashley Groome
Step 1: Fill the bucket halfway with water and dip in the mop to get it wet. Apply some detergent directly on to the mop.
Step 2: Use the mop to give the window a good, hard scrub. The suds will help lift the dirt. If you see any stubborn stains like paint, use the scraper. Make sure you run the scraper only in a single direction to avoid any scratches on the window pane.
Step 3: Next, remove the detergent and water with the squeegee. The trick here is to get the angle and the pressure right if you want flawless streak-free windows.
Step 4: Soak up all the excess water with the mop.
Step 5: Now it is time to give the window a finishing touch. Use a clean rag or a microfiber cloth to wipe the window. This step will get rid of all the streaks.
What You Need To Know
- For best results, it is recommended that you invest in good quality equipment.
- A rub-down with crumpled newspaper can make your windows shine like new.
- Pros recommend that you clean one side of the window with vertical strokes and the other with horizontal stroked to catch hold of streaks.
- There are several “window cleaning” agents available in the market but a regular household detergent will do the job just fine. In fact, you can make your own window cleaning liquid at home by mixing a three tablespoons vinegar (or ammonia), ¼ cup rubbing alcohol and a two tablespoons of dishwashing liquid to half a bucket of water.
- If it too hot or windy, the water on the window will evaporate fast and leave streaks. Choose a better time for the window cleaning project.
- There will be some corners, angles that your mop and squeegee cannot reach. Use an old toothbrush to clean these hard-to-reach areas.
- Change the water frequently for best results. Dirty water can leave behind streaks and stains.
- Exterior windows tend to be dirtier. Make sure to rinse away all the dirt and debris with a hose before you begin to use your equipment on it. For the interior windows, you may use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust.
Jenny Wadlow is a mother of two who enjoys sharing her views online. Her article for Melside Window Cleaning, an established window cleaning service in Melbourne, was well received. You can follow her on Twitter @JennyWadlow.
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