Image: Jacqueline Sheldon
Spring has nearly sprung! Unfortunately, for those charged with maintaining the home, so has the arrival of the can’t-be-missed task: spring cleaning.
Cleaning the windows, a task that many prefer to avoid at all costs, doesn’t have to be as frustrating and difficult as you remember. For a clean, streak-free shine, try these tips so you can let the sun filter through the glass sans speckles all summer long.
The Tools to Do the Job
Don’t go running outside with a bottle of window cleaner and a roll of paper towels just yet. Professional window cleaners don’t use these tools for good reason — and neither should you. Instead, do yourself a favor a gather the following: a vacuum, a dampened old towel, cotton swabs, a squeegee or newspaper and a spray bottle filled with a mixture of rubbing alcohol, dish detergent, vinegar and water.
Check the Weather
Avoid cleaning your windows on sunny days because the rays of the sun cause cleaning solution to dry on the window too quickly, thus causing streaks. Cloudy days help you get your work done quickly. But be sure you choose a day with temperatures higher than 40 degrees, because colder temperatures make streaking much more likely.
Getting Started
Open the sash and remove the screen. Vacuum alongside the interior and exterior of the window as well as gently over the screen to eliminate dust, dead bugs and dirt. Use the dampened towel to wipe down the woodwork and dampened cotton swabs to reach difficult-to-wipe crevices. When complete, spray the window with your homemade solution and use the squeegee or newspaper to wipe clean. Avoid using paper towels, which leave fibers on the glass.
Checking the Condition
This is a great time to check the condition of your windows. Feel for drafts alongside the molding and examine the glass for cracks and trapped moisture. Although weatherstripping can quickly and inexpensively address minor draft problems, cracked panes and trapped moisture mean more serious repairs are in order.
Finally, if you removed curtains from your windows prior to cleaning, put them in your dryer on a fluff-only setting. This removes dust and bugs. And don’t forget to pull up a chair next to your favorite picture-perfect, window-open view — and smell the fresh air of springtime!
