Springtime is on its way and, with it, the dreaded spring cleaning. For many people, spring cleaning is a cathartic way to welcome the warmer months. For others, it’s nothing more than a chore. Though cleaning your kitchen, bedrooms and living room is a given, spring cleaners often forget about their windows. Without a proper, thorough cleaning, windows can collect dust and dirt and significantly reduce the attractiveness of your home both inside and out.

Cleaning Interior Glass

Many homeowners insist on spray-on window cleaner and wadded up paper towels to clean their windows. However, using this method to clean glass simply shoves dirt around and creates a static charge that will attract more dust and dirt.

To clean windows indoors, you can rely on a few simple tools. You’ll just need a microfiber cloth, a squeegee and a spray bottle with soapy water. Spray down your interior glass and wipe it clean with the cloth to get rid of those annoying smudges. Follow it up with another spritz of soapy water and a quick pass with the squeegee to get rid of any leftover fibers. You may notice more natural light gets into your windows and brightens up your home.

Cleaning Exterior Glass

The exterior windowpanes are just as important as the interior because they are a major focal point of your home’s curb appeal. You can clean the outdoor windows in a similar way to your interior glass. This time, however, we’ll need a bit more cleaning power than just a spray bottle. For this job, fill a bucket with soapy water and use a soft sponge to thoroughly wet the glass. Squeegee away all the moisture and dirt.

If you encounter smudges or stains on the glass that are just plain stubborn, pick up a bottle of Barkeeper’s Friend and work it into a paste to rub onto the glass with a towel. The acid in the cleaner eats away hard buildup and you can easily rinse it off with water.

Window Tracks

Window tracks are one of the trickiest parts of your spring cleaning adventure. Those nooks and crannies hold onto dirt, dust, mold and bugs well enough to gross out even the most seasoned of window cleaners. For this job, you’ll need vinegar, Q-tips and paper towels. Spray down the entire window track with a healthy amount of vinegar to loosen the dirt and kill any mold. Run the cotton ends of your Q-tips along the track, sweeping up all that gunk. Follow it up with a rub-down from the paper towel for gleaming window tracks!

If you have particularly stubborn dirt and a spare electric toothbrush, you can substitute the Q-tips for some motorized cleaning action.

Enjoy Sparkling Windows All Year Long

Getting glistening windows doesn’t have to be a headache! With proper upkeep, your windows can look great for many years to come. If your home’s windows are just too old to function, however, Allied Siding and Windows has you covered with the industry’s top brands. To learn more about window replacement and upkeep, contact us online or call (713) 946-3697.