The ultimate guide to cleaning your windows

Cleaning your windows at home can be a time-consuming process, but with a few simple tips, you can soon have them looking spotless and ready to let in the summer sunlight!

Whether or not you’re the kind of person who thrives in the summer heat, there’s one thing about summer that everyone can agree on: namely, that nothing feels more invigorating and energising than seeing bright sunlight streaming through your window after a dark winter and a rainy spring.

However, for a lot of people, this essential summer perk is likely to remain purely theoretical, due to all the grime they’ve allowed to build up on their windows. This is understandable, to a degree – after all, windows are unique in that they’re at risk of accumulating dirt from inside and outside the house at the same time, and their transparent nature means that any marks and stains stand out in a way they wouldn’t on any other surface.

All of this means that many homeowners end up neglecting their window maintenance, especially during those cold months when the prospect of climbing around outside with a wet sponge is the last thing on your mind. But now that summer is rolling in again, it’s time to bite the bullet and get those windows looking sparkling again – and there are a few tips you can follow to make this process as “pane-less” as possible.

Get the right supplies

Before embarking on a big window cleaning project, it’s important to make sure you’ve got all the tools you’ll need ready at hand. You will need:

• A bucket
• A sponge
• A squeegee
• Plenty of soapy water
• A dry brush or broom handle – to get rid of any cobwebs and dust before applying the water
• Vacuum cleaner
• Paper towels – although you may need something robust enough to handle your drying needs without disintegrating and leaving soggy fragments everywhere
• Vinegar – this is often recommended as a cheap way of killing germs and keeping windows sparkling

How to use vinegar to clean your windows

So how exactly can you use vinegar to clean your windows?

• Measure out an amount of white vinegar, and mix it with exactly the same amount of water
• If you’re using a sponge to clean your windows, spray a little of your vinegar solution on to them before tackling them with the sponge
• If you’re using a squeegee, dip this into the vinegar and water solution first, then clean the windows from the top down
• Make sure you wipe the edge of your squeegee after each stroke to prevent a build-up of grime
• Always rinse and dry your windows straight after cleaning them with vinegar to avoid any potential damage

Consider the right timing

Summer is the perfect opportunity to give the windows a polish, but make sure you don’t fall into the trap of thinking that means you ought to pick the brightest, sunniest day to make a start on the cleaning. Certainly, the glaring light will make it easier to spot all the dirt, but the warmth of the sun is also likely to dry out the glass too quickly, leaving unsightly streaks all over your newly-cleaned windows.

Naturally, it’s just as pointless trying to clean outside in the pouring rain, so it’s best to pick a day when there’s a bit of shade and cloud cover, or to at least wait until the temperature has cooled down a bit. If you’re really keen to get going and the sun’s still blazing, then maybe make a start on the windows that aren’t directly exposed.

Take the opportunity to clean your curtains and blinds

Cleaning the windows also gives you an opportunity to give the curtains and blinds a bit of a freshening-up.

• If they’re the kind that can be detached, then it’s best to take them down and give them a proper wash
• If you can’t take them down yourself, then at least dust them off and remove any cobwebs using either a dry brush or a suitable vacuum cleaner attachment

It’s important to remember that any cleaning you’re doing with the curtains, blinds or sills should come before tackling the windows themselves. If you do this in the wrong order, then any water that drips down on to a dusty surface below will create an unpleasant sludgy mess – and more work for yourself that could have been avoided.

Safety first!

Window cleaning can involve a lot of straining to reach high corners while water is splashing around, so ensure you’ve taken the necessary steps to ensure you’re working safely. For example:

• Use sturdy stepping-stools to get to those hard-to-reach areas indoors
• If you’re cleaning outside, then don’t go climbing around like Spider-Man – use a ladder, and make sure there’s someone around to hold it steady for you
• Push all of the furniture away from the windows while cleaning them to avoid dirty water splashing all over them
• Put down some old newspapers to mitigate the damage caused by any accidental spillages

How to avoid streaks and smears

Putting a lot of effort into cleaning your windows, only to find that they’re covered in streaks and smears cars can feel incredibly disheartening. Avoid streaks and smears in the first place with these top tips:

• Use a natural cleaner, like the water and vinegar solution we talked about above. You’re less likely to end up with streaks with this kind of cleaner than soapy water or a commercial product
• Only ever apply just a little bit of your cleaner at a time to your windows – you can always add more if you need to. Adding too much could leave you with extra unsightly smears
• Use sponges or squeegees instead of paper towels, as their harsher edges could leave streaks and even scratches on your glass
• Always try to finish off your window cleaning by buffing the glass with a microfibre cloth. This should leave you with a gleaming, sparkling end result

Call in help if you need it

Getting your windows looking as good as new can be a difficult task to tackle alone, so don’t be afraid to ask for assistance! Many hands make light work, after all, and having friends and family around can allow you to work safer and more efficiently.

Alternatively, for the easiest possible solution, you could always call in a professional window cleaning service such as FastKlean.

Whether yours is a residential or a commercial property, we can rid your windows of dirt, dust, residues and contaminants, leaving them sparkling and streak-free. That way, you can enjoy the summer sun, unimpeded by any unsightly stains and grime, for as long as it lasts.

Traditional vs. Modern Techniques of Window Cleaning

We’ve come along way from buckets and mops!

As time passes, technology continues to advance, making it easier for people to live their lives. Just about every industry you can think of has gone through its technological evolution, creating a more efficient and productive means of getting work done. This fact can especially be applied to the world of window cleaning, where engineers and various cleaning professionals have displayed great ingenuity for their craft. And guess what? Today, we are sharing an infographic which explains all the benefits of both the traditional and modern techniques of window cleaning.

There is almost no point in having the most beautiful building in an area if your windows are dirty. It is not difficult to lose the elegance of architecture behind the dust and grime that tends to build on unkempt windows. This infographic is for those who appreciate the value of pristine presentation. Keep attention on the beauty of your home or building as opposed to dirty windows.

In the infographic below, we explain a few fun concepts which may surprise you:

1. The basics of both traditional vs. Modern Technique of cleaning.
2. When it comes to window washing, it isn’t always wise to discard the old for the new. There are certain circumstances (i.e cleaning interior windows) when traditional cleaning is recommended.
3. Facts about how long it takes to clean some of the most famous building in the world
4. The advantages and disadvantages of traditional and modern cleaning methods.
5. The essentials needed before cleaning (For those who would like to try their hand at cleaning)
6. How much you could earn as a professional, or spend on your home.
7. Countries where each method is commonly used.

There is much more to discover in our fun and practical infographic.

From all your friends over at FastKlean, we’d like to wish you happy window cleaning! We hope you remember us next time you are looking to restore the prestige of your building or home by having clean windows.

Source: Ideal Home, Great Day Improvements, Telegraph, Pure Freedom