Keeping your home clean means not only tidying up the inside, but also the outside. Here, window cleaning comes first, which, thanks to a large number of modern devices and means, is much easier and faster to do. In addition, there are substances on sale that, after application, help the glass stay clean longer.
How often should you wash your windows?
The shine and transparency of window glass fills the room with light and bright sunlight. Timely and high-quality cleaning of windows in an apartment saturates the home with clean air, gives an excellent panoramic view and a good mood. When and how many times a year should you carry out general window cleaning:
- after winter, early spring and late autumn at an air temperature of at least +10ºС;
- in summer, it is advisable to wash windows 2 times a month;
- after cosmetic renovation of the apartment;
- when moving into a new home;
- after installing new windows;
- washing dirty windows as they become dirty.
What do you need to clean windows?
Cleaning window units is one of the mandatory components of general cleaning of an apartment. Unwashed windows give any room an unkempt and unkempt appearance. The exception is the winter period with low temperatures and bad weather conditions. What tools and improvised means may be needed during the work process:
- Water container.
- Soft rags or foam sponge.
- A device for cleaning windows in the form of a window squeegee with a scraper.
- Windshield cleaner or cleaning solution.
- Magnetic brush.
- Cleaning agent.
- Ladder.
- Vacuum cleaner with attachment.
- Robot window cleaner.
Window scraper
One of the simplest and most popular means for cleaning glass is a window cleaning brush. A typical mop consists of a retractable handle and head with a foam pad on one side and a squeegee on the other. The principle of operation is to alternate movement along the glass surface. First, wipe with a sponge soaked in a cleaning solution, then with a scraper using vertical movements from top to bottom. The brushing method does not require much effort. A mop for cleaning windows greatly facilitates and improves the quality of work, but the method does not ensure thorough cleaning of stains.
Window cleaning cloth
With any method of cleaning glass surfaces, you cannot do without a rag. Washing balcony windows with fabric materials at hand may be necessary at any time. Which types of material are best suited for double-glazed windows, and which ones should not be used, for example, rags made of silk, wool and chiffon are absolutely not suitable for cleaning. The most popular types of window napkins:
- cotton
- an old, good method that is popular with many women; - flannel
- used for cleaning in the absence of special rags, requires some effort when working; - microfiber
is an excellent rag, smooth and strong texture, washes well without the use of detergents; - synthetic wipes with a porous structure
- widely used at home; - faux suede
- double-sided, multi-layered loose fabric does not leave hairs or streaks.
Chemicals for cleaning windows
The mirror shine of window glass depends not only on the type of napkins, but also on the correctly selected cleaning chemical. Window cleaners vary in composition, quality and environmental impact. There is a large selection of windshield wipers in stores. You can buy concentrated shampoo or spray. Price value for any buyer, from expensive types to cheap ones. Branded manufacturers have developed environmentally friendly products without strong odors. List of known and recognized means:
- Clin Windows g Class;
- Help;
- Homestar;
- Magos Mirror;
- Amway LOC;
- Zero Bio;
- IKeep!;
- Faberlic House.
Window cleaning equipment
To make work easier and for safety reasons, manufacturers have developed excellent innovative devices. Every day the popularity of technical devices increases not only among cleaning companies, but also when cleaning on your own at home. Widely used automatic window cleaning machines:
- Washing windows with a Karcher device
is a convenient automatic tool consisting of two brushes and a handle; the unit itself sprays liquid over the surface of the windows and removes dirt, washing all hard-to-reach places. - A magnetic brush
is a simple device of brushes with magnets, installed on the outside and inside, it cleans glass well, but after cleaning, streaks may remain. - The robot window cleaner
is a universal device; manufacturers offer magnetic, manual and vacuum varieties controlled via a remote control and an installed application on a smartphone; it is especially relevant for washing double-glazed windows in high-rise buildings.
Why does dirt appear?
Knowing the reasons why structures become dirty, you can quickly solve the problem and correctly carry out the entire cleaning process. Here are the main factors of pollution.
- Precipitation. Snow, hail, and rain quickly pollute the outside. In addition to stains, spots appear.
- Dust. It appears not only outside, but also inside the room. We wipe it regularly, especially in the warm season. We do not leave dust on the windowsill, between the frames.
- Temperature changes. Lead to condensation accumulation. There can be especially a lot of it in the kitchen, where food is constantly being prepared. Streaks form.
- Smoking. A nicotine film appears on the glass.
During the repair process, paint and varnish materials may get on the glass and frames, which are quite difficult to remove. In order not to damage the surface, we protect them during work by covering them with film, newspapers, and cloth.
Floor slabs are laid between floors; they are also called lightweight slabs. These slabs are characterized by stiffening ribs and carry a standard load.
Folk remedies for cleaning windows
At all times, housewives have strived to make their windows mirror clean. It is useful to know what kind of window cleaner our grandmothers used to remove soot and ink in a time when there were no special cleaning products. List of ancient practical methods:
- Potassium permanganate - dilute grains of potassium permanganate in water until deep pink.
- Chalk solution - mix 2 tbsp. spoons of chalk per liter of water, wash, and after drying, wipe with a dry cloth.
- Starch mixture - 1 tbsp. spoon per liter of water, stir thoroughly, rinse, wipe after drying.
- Dissolve laundry soap in water, wash the window, rinse with clean water, wipe with newspaper.
- Wash windows with a solution of ammonia (2 tablespoons per 2 tablespoons of water), use a mask when working, ventilate the premises.
- Salt composition (1 tbsp. water and 2 tbsp. spoons of salt) - rinse the glass, wipe with a napkin.
Lifehacks for cleaning at a high level
Washing windows at height requires insurance. It is good if a second person performs this role. He should hold the washer by the body when he leans out.
You cannot stand on a stepladder or stool next to an open window. Loss of balance can lead to falling from a high floor.
For safer care of double-glazed windows, you can use special devices , for example, a telescopic mop or a robotic window cleaner. Read more about cleaning windows on high floors here.
Why do stains remain on windows?
Sometimes, despite care, window cleaning in the office and at home ends in disgusting stains. How to avoid trouble, what is the reason for the patterns that appear? To ensure that clean glass does not have streaks, cleaning from dust and dirt must be carried out according to a certain routine. If the sequence of work is violated or the detergent is incorrectly selected, blurred stripes appear. Weather has an impact on windows, speeding up drying when cleaning on hot days. Haste in putting things in order also affects quality. Washing balcony windows requires care.
How to properly wash windows?
For any type of cleaning work, a sequence of actions must be followed. How to wash windows to remove dirt and dust from the glass? The sequence guarantees quality and perfectly clean double-glazed windows. Washing windows can be done in different ways and with different tools. Algorithm for cleaning glass surfaces:
- Remove unnecessary items from window sills and surrounding areas.
- Prepare the necessary cleaning solution, rags, newspaper or synthetic napkins, a scraper, and a vacuum cleaner with an attachment.
- Remove dust from windows with a vacuum cleaner.
- Wash frames, handles and window sills.
- Use a clean cleaning solution to wash the glass using a downward motion.
- Remove excess liquid with a scraper, holding it at a slope of 30º, in the same sequence.
- Rinse with clean water, remove excess water with a scraper, wiping after each rental.
- If streaks appear, wipe with newspaper or a napkin.
- Professional window cleaning guarantees quality work.
How to properly wash the frame and window sill
It will be possible to properly wash the frame and window sill only if the detergent is capable of removing stains on the plastic or wood. They can be varied:
- yellowness - appears mainly with pots of flowers on the windowsill after watering;
- drops of primer, paint, traces of masking tape are possible after repair work;
- volatile fats;
- dirt from a vent or half-open window;
- rust if metal objects have been lying on the window for some time.
No specialist can predict the type of stains on the frame and window sill in the kitchen. Therefore, it will not be possible to give universal advice on removing dirt. When starting to wash the profile of the window block and window sill, you must remember that:
- aggressive detergents can destroy plastic. Therefore, household chemicals must be compatible with polyvinyl chloride, from which the vast majority of windows and window sills are made;
- The presence of abrasive in the solutions used is not allowed.
There are many ways to wash the frame and window sill. Here are the most popular ones.
1. Laundry soap. Not liquid, but specifically a bar - it has a higher concentration of alkali. The smell, of course, is not a gift, but it cleans much better. At the same time, it is safe and environmentally friendly.
The frame and window sill are washed with a thick, mushy soap solution. If the old fat does not dissolve, the stains are moistened and wiped with a bar of soap. After half an hour everything is washed off. If stains still remain, you should use the following advice.
2. Washing powder. It will not only remove stains, but also lighten the surface a little.
Powdered detergent is poured onto the windowsill, a little more for stains. Use a wet sponge to wipe the stains first, and then the window sill. The frame is washed with water and dissolved powder. Afterwards everything is wiped dry.
Attention: if a decorative film is applied to the plastic, you need to wipe it with the soft side of the sponge. Hard ones can damage the decor.
3. Window cleaner. Most of these solutions work well on dirt on the frame and window sill, with the exception of old greasy stains.
Application is simple: spray glass cleaner and then rinse with clean water. Persistent dirt is re-wetted with the solution and left for several minutes, after which it is wiped with a dry or well-wrung-out cloth.
4. Vinegar. It cleans not only glass well, but also the window sill and frame. At the same time, it perfectly dissolves fat, washes off rust, and brightens plastic.
The surface to be cleaned is well moisturized; you especially don’t need to use vinegar on old stains. After 10-15 minutes, the frame and window sill are washed off with clean water and wiped dry. If necessary, the operation can be repeated.
5. Melamine sponge. You can see above how to clean it properly.
6. Toothpaste + chalk. The mixture removes stains well, while simultaneously brightening the surface of the frame and window sill. Rub into PVC with a damp soft sponge with light movements.
Wash off with clean water. Wipe dry. If necessary, the procedure can be repeated. The process of washing the frame is completed by cleaning the corners. To do this, use cotton swabs or toothpicks.
Tips for caring for windows
In order for windows to last for a long period of time, it is necessary to properly and regularly care for the glass structure. Each mechanism requires attention and preventive treatment. By following simple recommendations, the service life of the device will increase. Tips for use:
- Consider weather conditions when planning cleaning.
- Prepare tools and supplies in advance.
- Before cleaning, remove dust deposits with a vacuum cleaner.
- Washing stained glass windows begins with the surface of the plastic glass unit and the window sill.
- Wipe and lubricate the rubber seal with silicone 2-3 times a year.
- The glass is washed from the inside, moving to the outside.
- When living in high-rise buildings, to maintain your own safety, contact a cleaning company.
- Calling specialists is a profitable and correct solution if you cannot wash the windows yourself.
How to wash properly without special equipment?
You need to start cleaning windows when the weather is right . It is advisable to choose a cloudy and windless day, since direct sunlight on the glass will cause the product to dry quickly, and they also make it difficult to objectively assess the degree of cleanliness of the washed window.
If the weather is suitable, the task can be completed without special equipment. All you need is a rag, a bowl of warm soapy water and old newspapers.
Clean and streak-free inside the apartment
Instructions for cleaning windows from the inside:
You need to remove all objects that are on it from the windowsill. Blinds and mosquito nets are removed and washed separately.- Add a little liquid soap to warm water. Soak a sponge in the solution and wash the frames.
- Then they begin to wash the glass. Stubborn stains are removed using special means.
- Wipe the inside surface of the windows with clean water, rinsing the cloth 2-3 times.
- Several newspapers are crumpled and polished on the glass. The paper will absorb excess water and will not leave streaks.
High quality and safe from the outside, from the street
Washing windows from the outside without special equipment can be dangerous if the apartment is on a high floor.
The following instructions will help you cope with the task without risking your life:
- the opening sash must be washed according to the same principle as the windows inside;
- To wash the cast half of the window, you will need insurance, since you will have to reach out - you can use a special carabiner designed for climbers, or ask for help from household members, because You cannot bend far beyond the window without insurance;
- first you need to wipe the outer frames, as a lot of dust accumulates on them, then you should walk along the slope with a rag;
- The glass is washed with soapy water, removing all dirt, then rinsed with clean water and wiped with a dry cloth.
When carrying out work, do not lean against glass or an open sash; this is unsafe.
