Clean windows with very little effort? Follow these simple steps and you will get great results

by Mark Bennett

December 23, 2023

Clean windows with very little effort? Follow these simple steps and you will get great results
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Entering a room that gives off a feeling of cleanliness doesn't mean it has just been swept, washed, and dusted; it also means that the windows are completely spotless. However, during the fall and winter seasons, it's not easy to keep glass completely clean. That said, there are some tips to ensure that the windows remain pristine despite dust, dirt and rain battering them during the winter.

Read on to find out how to do this and some of the cleaning mistakes to avoid:

How to proceed

How to proceed

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The first thing to do when cleaning a window is clean away any obvious, visible dust and dirt. If there have been rainy days, and perhaps sand was present in the raindrops, then we need to clean this grime away first. This ensures that we don't spray on liquid products and create a sludge that will be even more challenging to remove.

So, start by removing this superficial dirt. It's a step that won't take much time but will result in cleaner windows in the end.

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After completing the first phase of cleaning (see above), you can proceed. There are three "secret ingredients" for cleaning windows: dish soap, alcohol, and white wine vinegar.

  • Dish soap: Use a few drops in warm water if there are stubborn dirt deposits or greasy spots on the windows - especially in the kitchen, where oily, greasy food vapors can settle on the glass.
  • Alcohol: This the perfect product for eliminating streaks from windows, cleaning them, and keeping them pristine for longer (weather permitting).
  • Vinegar: Ideal for removing limescale, use vinegar in a 50% water mixture and spray it on the surfaces to be cleaned. 

Using these household products not only helps us save money, avoids the use of polluting chemical products, but also helps keep our windows cleaner for longer. However, there are some mistakes to avoid making when cleaning windows:

Mistakes to avoid making when cleaning windows

Mistakes to avoid making when cleaning windows

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To ensure clean and sparkling windows, it's crucial to avoid cleaning them when the sunlight is hitting them full-on. The heat during such times causes accelerated drying, increasing the chances of streaks forming. It's preferable to choose times of the day when the sunlight is not too harsh or hot, allowing the cleaning products to evaporate at their recommended rate.

Additionally, using newspaper - once a popular method for window cleaning -  should be avoided. Over the years, changes in the type of printing ink used could result in ink transfer onto the glass when it's wet. It's better to steer clear of using newsprint and opt for using microfiber cloths.

Summary

Therefore, to make your windows sparkle, here's a summary of the cleaning steps:

  • First, clean the glass of  any obvious, visible dirt and dust;
  • Then, clean again using DIY cleansing mixes;
  • Avoid making common cleaning mistakes.

How do you clean your windows?

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