Let the light in with our expert ideas on how to clean windows for glass that's perfect for you, see here!
Invite the sparkle back into your home with sparkling clean windows. From making your own window cleaning solution to the old reliable newspaper trick, there are plenty of ways to bring the sparkle back to your window panes.
Never underestimate the power of clean windows to transform your rooms, making them light, bright and good for the soul. Clean windows inside and out provide a better perspective, for a view outside and a good impression for anyone looking in.
Although cleaning windows is a simple job of care and cleaning, it's often frustrating - when you're left with streaks that look like you've made them look worse?! Follow our expert tips to get the best results every time.
How to clean windows
Refresh lightly soiled windows - those with stains or odd spots - using a cleaning spray and a cloth. However, if you haven't washed your windows for months, take a squeegee and give them a proper clean.
Here's what you need to clean your windows to get a professional finish:
- Large dry brush or broom handle to remove cobwebs and dust
- Bucket
- Sponge
- Squeegee
- Window cleaning solutions or vinegar
- Brown paper or newspaper
- Microfiber cloth
- Dry lint-free cloth or drying pad
1. Remove curtains and blinds before cleaning
Start by removing curtains and blinds. If you can, take the opportunity to wash the curtains thoroughly or spray them with a fabric deodorizer such as Febreze. Use a dry brush or vacuum cleaner to sweep dust or cobwebs from the corners of windows and window sills.
2. Make homemade cleaning solutions
If you prefer to make your own cleaning solutions, add two tablespoons of vinegar to a small bucket of warm water (this won't kill the bacteria). If your windows need some tough love, add two tablespoons of household ammonia, but wear rubber gloves.
Cleaning expert Lynsey Queen of Clean recommends using white vinegar to clean windows. 'When you spray it, you don't need much, it will smell for about 15 minutes, but it will disappear.
You can also wash the windows with soap and water. Fill a bucket with a simple solution of detergent and warm water, but avoid creating too much soap suds as this will leave more marks if it dries. Start washing the windows with a non-abrasive sponge.
Top tip: One to try, as seen shared on cleaning group forums, is the quirky tea bag cleaning trick. Apparently, cold tea is the secret to sparkling, streak-free windows and glass. To try the tea bag cleaning trick at home, use a kitchen towel dipped in a mug of cold black tea. Wipe the tea over the surface and dry with a clean, soft cloth.
3. Start with the frames
Start with the frames first, so you don't drip dirty water on the clean glass. A wipe with a wet sponge should do the trick, but if they are very dirty, use neutral wood detergent or a specialized uPVC cleaner.
4. Use an S-shaped motion when cleaning the glass
Clean the glass with a sponge and warm soapy water. Dip a sponge or the foam part of a squeegee into the water, squeeze out the excess and rub gently on the glass. To clean the window thoroughly, work in an S-shape, advises Lynsey. 'With your microfiber cloth, work in an S-shape so that you can get into every little piece and this will prevent stains.
Run the rubber strip of the squeegee across the window in a reverse 'S' pattern from the top corner. At the end of each pass, clean it of foam, water and dirt with a lint-free cloth. Stubborn marks may need a sponge.
5. Wipe off any excess cleanser to avoid streaks
You can then use a squeegee for a scratch-free finish. Also work in an S-shape. Periodically wipe the squeegee blade with a clean cloth to avoid spreading dirt around. Remove any remaining water with a damp suede or microfiber cloth and dry the windowsill.
Avoid paper towels or cloths that can leave lint on the glass. For the external panels on the upper floor, it's worth investing in a gadget with a U-shaped pole to avoid reaching the upper floor windows!
Top tip: I learned from years of working in hairdressers' shops full of mirrors, use crumpled newspaper to clean the glass. Then polishing your windows with crumpled newspaper gives them a shiny finish. The paper helps to absorb any residual cleaning fluid, leaving the surface streak-free.
Rub in a circular pattern to clean off the dirt, then switch to a vertical, then horizontal movement until the liquid disappears.
6. Clean the edges of the window
Finish by wiping excess water or foam from the edges and window sill using an absorbent cloth. Repeat the process on the inside of your windows.
Most window ledges will shine after washing with soap and water. However, if you have white PVC, Lynsey recommends using a cream-based cleaner or whitening product to keep them looking like new. - You could use a white toothpaste. Let it do its job and it will whiten the frame,' advises Lynsey.
7. Get the timing right
ou might think that washing the windows on a sunny day is the ideal time, as the light makes it easier to spot stains. In reality, it's better to aim for a cloudy day. The sunlight will create glare on the glass, making it harder to see how clean they are. It can also dry out the cleaning solution before you have a chance to wipe it off, leaving unsightly stains.
Wash the windows every two or three months, so you have less to do each time you clean - because less build-up means they are easier to clean.
Do you have any tips for cleaning windows? We'd love to hear them.
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