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Best Spring Cleaning Methods for Your Home’s Windows

A person’s hand wearing a blue rubber glove and cleaning a glass window

We are finally emerging from another cold Pennsylvania winter, and it is once again time to deep clean your home in preparation for the coming spring season. From decluttering anything that has built up to heavy-duty cleaning of your appliances, you likely have a laundry list of things to address on your spring cleaning checklist. However, with all the areas in your home that need to be addressed, is window cleaning on your list?

While cleaning the windows is a task many undertake during spring cleaning endeavors, there’s a good chance it’s not getting the deep clean it deserves. When you think about the fact that this might be the only time of the year windows get washed — although it should certainly be more often — we highly recommend putting as much effort as possible into your window cleaning for the sake of your home. While you might feel like you need to hire a professional window cleaning company, it’s easy enough to tackle this on your own with items around the house. With that in mind, there are a few tips to keep in mind as you get started.

Gathering the Right Materials

First things first, make sure you have everything necessary to give your windows the proper clean they deserve. You might use a variety of supplies, including microfiber cloths, towels, sponges, and squeegees. You will also need to ensure that you are using the right window cleaner that is safe for your windows and effective in removing any traces of dirt.

There are endless varieties of window cleaning solutions that you can opt for, but for best results, go with a combination of hot water, white vinegar, and rubbing alcohol. Some might grab whatever soap or dishwashing liquid they use to clean the kitchen, but the soap and suds can often result in streaks on your windows. Because glass can smudge and streak, it’s critical to make sure your window cleaner has the right combination of solutions.

Clean the Insides — AND the Outsides

Spring cleaning traditionally focuses on the inside of your home — or, at least, that’s what immediately comes to mind. However, it’s just as important to make sure your window glass and panes are clean on the outside of your home as well. The outside is going to accumulate more grime than the inside by nature, which makes an emphasis on the exterior all the more critical. If you neglect this part of your windows, you’re likely going to be looking into window replacement services earlier than you expected.

When cleaning the exterior, make sure your windows are sealed so that nothing gets inside — this will only make cleaning the inside more difficult, as you may have to clean it multiple times. If possible, remove the screens so that you can get a deeper clean without having to worry about anything seeping into your home. Finally, while it may seem like a sunny day is the most ideal time to go outside and clean your windows, tackling this on a cloudier day is best to avoid any streaks.

Use Newspapers to Clean Surfaces

Want to declutter your home as part of your spring cleaning routine? You can kill two birds with one stone by using old newspapers to clean your windows! As crazy as it may sound, using newspapers to clean your windows is a tried and true method for avoiding streaks that towels and cloths might leave behind. Since the ink is abrasive, it gives your windows a better clean and makes them look as good as new.

Take your cleaning solution and put it into a spray bottle. Once you spray it on your windows, use the newspaper to scrub it down, just like you would with any other material. Not only will you have cleaner windows than you would have originally thought, but you’ll have an excuse to throw out the stack of newspapers that have been sitting in your garage for months on end.

Don’t Forget the Curtains!

While you’re so focused on cleaning the glass component of your windows, you may be forgetting about another critical element. Making sure your curtains, blinds, or other window coverings are clean is just as important as cleaning the window itself. Just like with your couch or your carpet, plenty of dust, dirt, and dander can build up on your window coverings and can make for a musty environment if not addressed. 

Fortunately, cleaning your blinds and curtains is as easy as washing and dusting. Take your duster to your window coverings and make sure that any dirt is collected — and if that doesn’t work, try using a vacuum brush. You can also run your curtains through the washing machine, which is a simple and effortless cleaning task that you can easily check off your list.

Call Your Window Experts if Your Windows Need Extra Attention

Throughout your spring cleaning routine, you may find something wrong with your windows, and you may need to look into having them repaired or replaced. Bucks County residents can turn to a company specializing in residential window services, such as Window Guardians. From casement window installation to designed custom windows, we are the experts that can help your home look inviting as we roll into warmer weather. Reach out to our team of window professionals today for your free estimate!