How to Wash Your Windows: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dust specks, pollen and dander, can all stick to your windows over time and create a cloudy mess. Dirty windows prevent sunlight from entering your home properly, look unappealing, and lower your home’s curb appeal. Thus, you must bring out your window cleaning tools and solutions at least twice a year to keep your window panes and glasses shining. If you are at the end of your tenancy and need to clean your windows before your landlord comes for an inspection, you can call end of lease cleaners Sydney. These experts use professional tools and solutions to deep-clean your windows and remove smudges and marks. However, if you are cleaning your windows on your own, you should use these tips below to get streak-free windows:

1. Gather Your Window Cleaning Tools

End-of-lease cleaners in Sydney recommend that you first arrange your window cleaning tools and solutions to have everything you need in one place. Here are some basic tools and solutions you will need to clean your windows:

Squeegee

Microfiber cloths

Warm water

Bucket

Vinegar

Dish soap

Rubbing alcohol

Vacuum

Old toothbrush

Ladder or step stool

2. Check The Window Glass And Seams For Cracks

Next, you must thoroughly inspect your window glass panes and seams to see if there are any cracks or damages. You can get these repaired before you start cleaning your windows to keep the structure intact. You must check and repair the window seams to ensure no air and moisture escapes from your home, reducing energy bills.

3. Remove And Clean Your Window Blinds And Drapes

Now, you must remove any window blinds and drapes that can collect dust over time and make your window panes dirtier. Soak these in a tub filled with dish soap and warm water or use a garden hose to clean these dirty blinds and drapes and then leave them to dry. Tip You can use these tips to clean roller window blinds.

4. Dust The Outer Ledges, Frames And Window Sills

End-of-lease cleaning professionals in Sydney recommend that you start by dusting your windows’ outer ledges, frames and sills. This is important to ensure you are not smearing wet dust all over your clean windows. You should use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the frames, the sills and the ledges to remove dust, dander and insect droppings. You should also use a toothbrush to sweep dust in your window tracks into one corner and then use a vacuum to suck this dust-up.

5. Make A DIY Window Cleaning Solution

Next, you can avoid harsh chemicals in your home by making your own window cleaning solution with vinegar and dish soap. Mix one cup of white vinegar with ¼ cup of clear dish detergent and half a gallon of warm water in a bucket to make this solution. The acetic acid in white vinegar is powerful enough to loosen stubborn stains and grime from your windows, while the dish soap helps clear dust and dander.

6. Wash Your Windows With This Solution

Once your solution is ready, you should dip a microfiber cloth in it and then squeeze any excess liquid out. Then start from the top, move from left to right, and wipe your windows with this cloth. End-of-lease cleaners in Sydney recommend folding your cloth in a 6×6 dimension to reach the corners and crevices. Keep wiping your windows, fold over the wet parts as soon as it gets dirty, and replace them with a dry spot. Ensure you also clean the inner corners, bottom tracks, and sills. Tip You can prevent water from dripping onto your floors and walls by placing drop cloths underneath your windows and over your window sills.

7. Use A Squeegee To Prevent Streaks On Your Windows

Once you have washed your windows with the solution, you should use a squeegee to dry the area. Start from the top and hold your squeegee at a 45-degree angle so that only the corner touches the glass. Next, move from left to right and wipe each glass pane. After wiping one section, use a microfiber cloth to clean your squeegee blade. You must then keep wiping your windows by overlapping the previous section by 2 inches. This will help prevent water streaks and keep your windows gleaming and shining. Tip Use these tips to prevent streaks when cleaning windows.

Some Additional Tips

Avoid cleaning your windows on a sunny day; it can dry up your solution quickly and leave streaks. It is best to clean your windows on a cloudy day or when the temperature is cooler.

If you have stubborn insect droppings that won’t come off with vinegar, you should use rubbing alcohol to spot-clean these sections.

Do not use paper towels to clean your windows, as these can leave lint on your glass panes.

If you are uncomfortable using a ladder to clean your outer windows at the end of your tenancy, hire a professional end-of-lease cleaner in Sydney.

Tip Here are some dos and don’ts of window cleaning you can follow.

Conclusion

Thus, window cleaning is more challenging than it looks, but if you use the step-by-step guide above, you will have glistening and streak-free windows in no time. Just ensure you squeeze out any excess solution before cleaning your windows and frames so that you do not leave streaks and do not cause warping and damage to the structure.