Glass Cleaning – Look At Those Dirty Windows

It is a fact that having dirty windows on your home will either eventually (or immediately) cause some comment from friends and family. It is easy for homeowners to get away with other maintenance misdemeanors, but not dirty windows, so don't doubt that glass cleaning is a very important duty, and not only for embarrassment reasons either. Washing and cleaning glass will not only make your windows look more attractive, it will improve the appearance of your whole house.

The first thing about cleaning and washing windows is that you should not use scrapers. These tools will almost certainly cause scratches on the glass sooner or later, and virtually all window warranties will not cover scraper damage.

Another thing you should avoid when washing windows is cleaning in direct sunlight. This especially applies to reflective or tinted glass, but is also good advice for clear glass too.

Hooray For Vinegar

Many cleaning solutions out there are not suitable for washing windows. If they contain ammonia or alcohol than they can very easily cause streaking or deposit a layer on the glass that will actually attract dust and cause it to settle.

Though everyone's grandma seems to have the perfect recipe for window washing, many industry insiders recommend a cleaning solution to be made up of 9 parts water with 1 part vinegar. On the outside, this should be applied with a squeegee (a soft cloth will be better for the inside where you don't want to splash so much). Always start at the top of each window and work downwards when cleaning so you won't leave any drips behind as you work.

More stubborn marks can be removed with mineral spirits before the vinegar-based cleaner is applied. Any streaks that are present should rinse off with clear water.

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Author Notes:

Anthony Lee contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.replacement-windows-n-shutters.com. Find everything you need to know about replacement windows, shutters, tinting, basement, fiberglass windows and more.