Resolve to Get Your Windows Clean

Dirty windows make your house look bad from the outside and the inside. This New Year’s, resolve to clean your windows. Let us help you find an easier way to do it now, and maybe next year, you won’t have to force yourself into getting it done.

Step 1 - Assemble Your Tools

It’s a lot easier to keep your windows clean if you have the right tools. Put together a window toolkit, and you’ll be prepared to knock the chore right out.

Brush: Get a stiff brush, and remove any large pieces of dirt and debris before you start your serious cleaning. Get all the cobwebs out of the corners, and brush around the frame to get rid of dirt.

Squeegee: Professionals use squeegees because they’re the best tools for the job. Anyone can get one of these tools, and you should. Make sure it has a soft rubber edge.

Bleach: If you’re having trouble cleaning small, black spots all over your wooden window frames, there’s a reason. It’s mildew or mold. Treat it with bleach. Mix 2 parts bleach and 1 part laundry detergent in a bucket of water. Wear a face mask and rubber gloves when you apply the solution directly to the mold with a sponge or cloth. Let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing the cleaning solution away.

Towels: You’ll want a stack of clean, dry towels. Assemble them before you begin so you don’t have to stop.

Ladder/step stool: Some of your windows are going to be hard-to-reach. Instead of straining, get a sturdy ladder or step stool. If you’re using a ladder, do not use it alone. Get someone to help you so they can steady the ladder while you work.

Step 2 - Change Your Filters

This isn't an HVAC project, but before you clean, change out your furnace filters. The inside of your windows will get dirty if you aren’t regularly changing your heating and air system filter. You should also clean your vents. Wipe them down to remove any dust that might otherwise get released into your home and grime up your windows.

Step 3 - Make Your Solution

Mix one part white vinegar with one part hot water to make your own window cleaning solution. Drop a sponge into the bucket. Wear gloves while you’re working, and test the water temperature against your own skin to make sure it isn’t too hot.

Step 4 - Clean the Glass

Sponge the cleaning agent directly on the glass; do not put it directly on your tools. Use the squeegee to wipe in long, even strokes up and down, then horizontally going across to thoroughly clean the window. Do both sides of the glass. When you’re inside, place a towel on the window still to catch drips from the squeegee. On the outside, thoroughly dry the sill with a towel before you move on. Always go from up to down.

Your entire home will look better. You’ll get more light inside, and you’ll get the curb appeal on the outside that you really want. When you have a game plan and the right tools, window maintenance really isn’t so difficult after all.