Window Cleaning requires a lot of concentration, attention to detail and special tools. But a well-trained team can deliver stunning results.
Begin by sweeping away loose debris with a soft brush, removing cobwebs and dust from frames and sills. Then spray or mop windows with a vinegar and water solution or commercial cleaner. Visit https://www.martinipressurewashing.com/orange-county-window-cleaning to learn more.
The frames of your windows are integral to your home’s aesthetics and contribute to a comfortable and livable environment. But neglecting to clean them regularly can result in a buildup of grime and dirt that hinders their beauty and functionality. Here’s how to integrate cleaning your window frames into your regular household maintenance routine.
Start by removing any loose dirt and debris from the frames using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment, making sure to get into corners and nooks. Then, wipe down the surfaces of your window frames using a microfiber cloth, which helps prevent streaking when dry. If you prefer to use a spray cleaner, opt for one that is safe to be used on aluminum. Many commercially available glass cleaners will work just fine, but it’s a good idea to do a test run with any new solution on a small area in an inconspicuous spot first.
Once you’ve wiped down the frames, it’s time to tackle the sills and tracks. This step is best done with a dust-busting mini vacuum or a regular vacuum cleaner with a nozzle attachment, as the brush will help to suck up any big chunks of dirt. After you’ve sucked up the dirt, give the sills and tracks a generous dusting of baking soda. This will help a great deal in minimizing the amount of dirt and grime that gathers in the tracks, keeping your windows open and closing smoothly.
If you are tackling stubborn or particularly sticky spots, try using a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water in a bucket or spray bottle. The vinegar is ideal for breaking down mineral buildups that can cause oxidation and discoloration on your aluminum window frames. If this doesn’t work, you may need to scour the troubled areas with a scrub brush.
When you’re finished with your aluminum frames, rinse them thoroughly to remove all soapy residues and dirt. Then, use a dry microfiber cloth to buff out the frames and ensure they are completely dry before you move on to the next steps of your window cleaning routine.
Snake the Windows
Window cleaning is more than just a quick surface wipe with a squeegee. It includes the details of cleaning corners and sills, removing stains around frames, detailing tracks and shutters and bringing a drip-free glow to glass surfaces. Professional cleaners know how to get the most from their tools and cleaning solutions for a sparkling finish.
For best results, professionals use a squeegee inside and out on both the glass and frame of each window. They start with a rinse of soapy water and then wipe the windows in a zig-zag pattern to remove any dirt or residue that may be left behind. They then dry the window with a clean microfiber cloth, and finally inspect each window to ensure it meets quality standards before leaving the site.
The risk of injury when working on high-rise buildings has decreased with advances in safety equipment and improved worker training, but it is still an industry that poses its share of risks. For that reason, only highly-trained, licensed and insured window cleaning technicians should work on a high-rise building.
Aside from aesthetics, regular window cleaning also helps prolong the lifespan of your windows by reducing damage and wear and tear from harsh sun and wind exposure. Additionally, a regular cleaning can help eliminate corrosive chemicals from the exterior of your home or business that can build up over time and impact the integrity of your window systems.
In addition to providing a professional level of service, hiring a window cleaning company can be a significant cost savings for homeowners and businesses alike. Whether you are looking for residential or commercial window cleaning, it is important to get quotes from multiple providers and ask the right questions to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money.
Aside from cleaning the windows, many professional cleaners also offer other services, such as pressure washing and roof cleaning. They can often provide a package deal that can save you money and the hassle of finding all the different contractors yourself.
Clean the Screens
It is a good idea to clean your window screens regularly so that they don’t develop unsightly cobwebs. You can do this by first removing any drapes or other window dressings. This will allow you to see what the screen is actually made from and whether it is in need of a more thorough cleaning. Next, dust or vacuum the frame and glass with a broom or vacuum cleaner attachment to remove any dirt. If there is mold or mildew, scrub that area with a brush and rinse it thoroughly as well.
When you are ready to wash the screens, put on rubber gloves and mix your cleaning solution in a bucket. A liquid dishwasher soap is ideal but vinegar will also do the trick. Alternatively, you can use a commercial product such as Zep or Windex. If your screens are very dirty, you may want to add a capful of ammonia to your solution to deodorize the screen as well.
Once you have your cleaning solution, dip the microfibre cloth (or sponge of your squeegee) into the water and start wiping the screen in a circular motion. It’s important to be gentle so that you don’t damage the screen. You can also use a Magic Eraser to get rid of stubborn marks and stains on your screen but make sure that you purchase one that is specially designed for cleaning and scrubbing.
If you don’t have a cloth or sponge, a lint roller will also do the trick but make sure that it is not too wet or else it might stretch or tear your screens. When you are done, rinse the screen thoroughly with water. Then, carefully place it back into its window and close it.
Lastly, you can also clean the screens by spraying them down with a hose or power washer as long as the pressure is low enough not to damage the plastic tabs at the bottom of the screen. If you do decide to do this, please be careful when putting the screens back in as they can be quite brittle.
Dry the Windows
Once you’ve squeegeed all the dirty water off your window panes, give them a quick wipe with a damp, lint-free cloth. You should also wipe the frames, sills and any window hardware that can get dirty with cleaning solution or water drips. If the frames and sills are particularly grubby, use a mild detergent for wood or specialist cleaner for uPVC.
For hard-water stains on windows, use a cleaner containing oxalic acid. Make a paste with the cleaner and rub at stubborn areas. Rinse, then clean the windows as usual.
Be sure to use rubber gloves and protective eyewear when handling chemicals. If you need to reach high windows without teetering on a ladder, a squeegee with a telescoping pole may be the answer. It has a cloth head on a telescoping shaft that rotates and extends more than five feet, making it easy to get all the way to the corner.
If you don’t have a squeegee, you can still achieve sparkling windows by applying a bit of spit to the glass and wiping off the cleaning solution with a dry rag. You can also try a “snake” method: Start at an upper corner and pull the squeegee down the window in one straight stroke, wiping the rubber blade with a dry, lint-free cloth between swipes.
If you want truly sparkling, streak-free windows, finish the job by drying the glass and frames with a lint-free cloth or newspaper (watch out for dark newsprint on uPVC). Paper towels work well for this purpose but are disposable and can leave lint behind. For the best results, you can even buy a chamois or microfiber cloth for this final step of the cleaning process. If your windows are especially dirty, consider dividing the task into two or three sessions to avoid exhaustion. And be sure to choose a cloudy day to prevent the cleaning solution from drying onto the windows and leaving hard-to-remove streaks. That’s why it’s often best to hire a professional window cleaning company. They have the right tools and training to do the job quickly and thoroughly.