Like any homeowner, your home is your pride and joy. You vacuum your floors regularly and mow the lawn on a strict schedule. You sweep, mop, and scrub the floors before visitors stop by, and your garden is manicured to perfection. Almost everything in your home is neat and tidy, just the way you like it. There’s just one part of your home you’ve never quite gotten the hang of cleaning: your windows.
If you’re tired of scrubbing your windows only to find new smudges and smears as soon as you finish, don’t worry. In this blog, we’ll teach you how to clean all of your window’s components, both inside and out. By the time we’re through, you’ll know how to wow your guests with sparkling windows, clean drapes and blinds, and spotless windowsills.
Why Is Window Maintenance Important?
First of all, let’s discuss the benefits of maintaining your windows and their components. Most windows and their components are low-maintenance, but they still require regular cleanings to stay in top condition. A clean window lets more daylight into your home, which often makes it a cheerier place to be. In contrast, dirty windows block out the sun, making the entire room drab and dreary.
But windows don’t exist just for aesthetics-they also protect your home from the elements. The better you take care of them, the better they can do their job. A well-maintained window lasts for years and rarely needs replacing.
Since they’re made of cloth, wood, or other materials less durable than glass, your window treatments need slightly more maintenance than the windows themselves. However, just like with windows, regularly cleaning your window treatments helps them last longer and look better. This in turn improves your home’s aesthetic and keeps the sun out of your rooms, which preserves your carpet, floors, and furniture.
Cleaning Outside Components
Windows
Your window’s exterior accumulates a lot more grime and dirt than its interior. As a result, you’ll need to wash it with something more substantial than a spray bottle, a handful of paper towels, or some crumpled newspapers.
Start by sweeping away any cobwebs or loose dirt. Next, fill a bucket with warm water, then add a few drops of your favorite detergent. Don’t overdo it-if your water is too soapy, it will be harder to remove from the window.
Spread the soapy water across the window with a strip applicator or scrubber. Scrub the window thoroughly but gently, then spray the window down with the hose to remove the soap. When using a garden hose, turn the water pressure down and spray indirectly to avoid damaging your windows. Move a squeegee across the window in an S-shaped pattern. After each stroke, wipe the squeegee clean with a microfiber cloth.
Remember to wash screens separately from windows. Remove the screens, then, wash them down with warm water from the hose. Rub the wet surfaces down with a clean cloth. Let screens dry before replacing them.
Shutters
As with windows, first brush any loose debris, dirt, and cobwebs off the shutters with a broom or cloth. Spray them down (gently and indirectly) with a garden hose to remove any remaining dirt. Use a mop to spread a mixture of warm water and detergent across the shutters. Before the soap has time to dry, rinse the shutters down with a hose then wipe them dry with a microfiber cloth.
Cleaning Inside Components
Windows
Before you begin, lay a cloth beneath the window to catch any water that drips down. You can use glass cleaner to clean your interior windows, but as with the outside windows, warm water mixed with soap offers dirtier windows a deeper clean. Glass cleaner works better for smaller glass panes or on small, fragile objects.
First, dust off your windows with a cloth or duster. Soak a household sponge in your soapy water mixture, then spread it across the window. Start in the top left corner, then proceed down the window in an S-shape. You can use a squeegee to remove the water, then a chamois or microfiber cloth to dry the window.
Track
Your window tracks easily fill with dirt and mud. They’re notoriously difficult to clean. Removing the screen – if you have one – will make this job easier. Use a vacuum with a hose or brush attachment to remove cobwebs and dust. Next, dip the corner of a rag in the mixture of warm, soapy water, and gently scrub along the track.
You should stop periodically to rinse the cloth-it will get dirty quickly. Dip a clean cloth in water to rinse the track once you’ve scrubbed it.
Blinds
Open the blinds, then run a feather duster along each slat. You can also wrap an old glove or sock around your hand, then use it to reach hard-to-dust corners and edges. Use Windex or a solution of water mixed with vinegar to wash vinyl blinds. Never use detergents or non-wood cleaners on wooden blinds. Instead, use a feather duster, microfiber cloth, or gentle wood cleaner.
Drapes
Before washing your drapes, check the tags. Many drapes should only be dry cleaned or cleaned by professional drape cleaners. Otherwise, remove your drapes from the rod, then hand wash them in cool or lukewarm water with a gentle detergent. Press the drapes once dry.
Keep Your Windows Clean
Now that you know how to keep every part of your window clean, from the outside shutters to the inside track, your home will be sparkling and clean from top to bottom. Contact your local drape, blind, and shutter professionals for more tips on how to keep your windows and window treatments looking their best.