Why do my windows get so dirty?
In the past, a lot of the dust, pollen, and other particles circulating in the house would have escaped to the outside, but nowadays our homes are sealed so well that it all tends to stay indoors, and some ends up on the window glass. It's a good idea to check the filters in household appliances such as the central heating boiler and tumble dryer.
Materials for cleaning
As well as branded glass cleaners (which can be expensive) there are many household products which are useful for cleaning windows and window frames, such as liquid soap, vinegar, ammonia, bleach, and surgical spirit. Newspaper (not colour-printed) is a traditional glass-cleaning material, and household rags are also a useful addition to cloths and sponges.
Getting glass properly clean
Avoid washing windows on a very warm day, or in direct sunlight, as it is hard to avoid streaks and water spots forming as the cleaning solution dries. Both vinegar and alcohol are good at getting rid of grease, which is why most branded cleaners use one or the other. A mixture of equal parts of vinegar and water is effective when used with a squeegee. The final polish needs to be done without leaving streaks or lint traces, and newspaper, used with neat vinegar, is a good way of doing this.
Very dirty windows
A scraper may be necessary for the worst marks, such as bird droppings. For spots of paint, a razor blade is probably best. A brush and strong detergent solution, followed by a squeegee, can be used for getting rid of layers of grime, after which it's best to change to a clean cloth for the next stage.
Window frames
Start window cleaning with the frames if they have become dirty. Use a brush to remove loose dirt, and then a cloth with a solution of detergent or soap in water.
Window sills
After brushing down and washing with soap and water, window sills may still show marks which need a solvent solution to remove them. Dirt in the window sill corners can be removed with an old toothbrush, or cotton buds dipped in a cleaning fluid. Finish with clear floor wax to make future cleaning easier.
Mould
Condensation is a common problem on window frames, and it tends to lead to mouldy patches. Mould can be cleaned off with a mixture of bleach, water, and detergent, and a bleach mixture left to dry should prevent mould in future.
Take care!
Household accidents often occur during window cleaning. Don't climb on furniture to reach windows, and only use ladders and steps if they are properly sited. Wear gloves when handling strong chemicals such as bleach. Don't mix chemical agents such as ammonia and bleach, and follow the instructions carefully when using branded products.
In the past, a lot of the dust, pollen, and other particles circulating in the house would have escaped to the outside, but nowadays our homes are sealed so well that it all tends to stay indoors, and some ends up on the window glass. It's a good idea to check the filters in household appliances such as the central heating boiler and tumble dryer.
Materials for cleaning
As well as branded glass cleaners (which can be expensive) there are many household products which are useful for cleaning windows and window frames, such as liquid soap, vinegar, ammonia, bleach, and surgical spirit. Newspaper (not colour-printed) is a traditional glass-cleaning material, and household rags are also a useful addition to cloths and sponges.
Getting glass properly clean
Avoid washing windows on a very warm day, or in direct sunlight, as it is hard to avoid streaks and water spots forming as the cleaning solution dries. Both vinegar and alcohol are good at getting rid of grease, which is why most branded cleaners use one or the other. A mixture of equal parts of vinegar and water is effective when used with a squeegee. The final polish needs to be done without leaving streaks or lint traces, and newspaper, used with neat vinegar, is a good way of doing this.
Very dirty windows
A scraper may be necessary for the worst marks, such as bird droppings. For spots of paint, a razor blade is probably best. A brush and strong detergent solution, followed by a squeegee, can be used for getting rid of layers of grime, after which it's best to change to a clean cloth for the next stage.
Window frames
Start window cleaning with the frames if they have become dirty. Use a brush to remove loose dirt, and then a cloth with a solution of detergent or soap in water.
Window sills
After brushing down and washing with soap and water, window sills may still show marks which need a solvent solution to remove them. Dirt in the window sill corners can be removed with an old toothbrush, or cotton buds dipped in a cleaning fluid. Finish with clear floor wax to make future cleaning easier.
Mould
Condensation is a common problem on window frames, and it tends to lead to mouldy patches. Mould can be cleaned off with a mixture of bleach, water, and detergent, and a bleach mixture left to dry should prevent mould in future.
Take care!
Household accidents often occur during window cleaning. Don't climb on furniture to reach windows, and only use ladders and steps if they are properly sited. Wear gloves when handling strong chemicals such as bleach. Don't mix chemical agents such as ammonia and bleach, and follow the instructions carefully when using branded products.
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