Tips
Spring window cleaning tips: Do’s and don’ts
When spring rolls around, it’s a good time to clean your windows. Knowing how to clean windows and using the right cleaning solution for windows can make all the difference. There are some window cleaning tips to use for pristine window cleaning.
%3Afill(transparent)&w=2000&q=75)
Infinity windows need next-to-zero maintenance. But if window cleaning is on your list of spring cleaning chores, here are some tips to consider.
Use caution on ladders, wear protective eyewear, and avoid loose clothing when cleaning exterior windows. When working with primers, paints, stains, cleaning solutions, follow local codes or the manufacturer’s instructions.
Inspect weatherstripping for damage. Take care when using paints, stains, or varnishes as these products can damage weatherstripping.
Examine window or door interior and exterior finishes. Regular maintenance can extend the life of the finish.
Inspect exterior caulking around the outer edges of the window or door frame. Trim any loose caulk and reseal any gaps with a quality caulk.
Check all hardware (locks, opening mechanisms, etc.) for smooth operation.
Inspect exposed hardware screws; tighten if loose.
Clean sand, dirt, or dust from door and window hinges, sills and tracks. Wash your windows and doors with an Infinity-approved cleaning solution.
Window cleaning tools
The right window cleaning tools can make for superior window cleaning. Some items to include when you begin your spring window cleaning include:
Squeegee
Window cleaning cloths/microfiber cloths
Bucket
Drop cloth
Cleaning solutions for windows
There are several cleaning solutions for windows. Some of the best window cleaners come from Rain-X®, Windex®, and Zep®. If you want to create a homemade window cleaning solution you can use a mild dishwashing soap. Another homemade window cleaner recipe uses distilled white vinegar with 5% acidity and water. Cleaning windows with vinegar can help break down dirt and grease.
Exterior house cleaning solutions
Exterior window cleaning solutions include Home Armor®, Windex, and Zep products. Some of the best outdoor window cleaning solutions include:
Windex® outdoor window cleaner (Windex Multi-Surface Disinfectant Cleaner)
Zep® window cleaner (Zep Multi-Surface Cleaner)
Cleaning exterior windows
Before you begin outside window cleaning, check with your window manufacturer and owner’s manual for any special instructions on how to clean windows with special Low-E coatings.
Use one microfiber cloth to clean your exterior windows. The exterior side of windows can accumulate more dirt and debris than the interior side. A cloth used to clean outside windows can bring that dirt and debris into your home.
A microfiber cloth works best to clean your outside windows. It will collect lint and won’t scratch your windows.
You can begin cleaning window exteriors by working around the frame. After you’ve cleaned the frame, you can clean the glass. It’s best to start cleaning at the top of the window and work your way down in a side-to-side motion.
How to clean cloudy exterior windows
If you’ve got cloudy windows, it could be condensation, or it could mean the seal between the glass panes has failed. When a seal fails, it can look cloudy or foggy. A broken seal means that the inert, non-toxic insulating gas has started to escape. A homemade exterior cleaning solution of water and distilled white vinegar with 5% acidity helps remove mineral deposits that can make windows look cloudy.
%3Afill(transparent)&w=2000&q=75)
How to clean exterior windows from inside
Infinity makes cleaning window exteriors from inside your home simple. The easy tilt operation of our single-hung and double-hung windows, shown above, allows you to clean the outside of your windows without stepping outside. The lower sash of our single-hung windows tilt in for easy cleaning. Both sashes of our double-hung windows tilt into a room for cleaning. Our casement windows have an optional Easy Wash® hinge, shown on the left, available that leaves room for you to clean the exterior side of your window from the inside.
Window cleaning techniques
A few window cleaning tips can make your windows shine. A drop cloth covering your window sill, wall, and floor can help catch any droplets that drip down. A squeegee will help prevent window streaks.
You can clean your window tracks with a soft bristle brush vacuum extension to remove the larger debris. Once you’re done cleaning the window glass, you can clean the window sill.
Window cleaning don’ts
Avoiding certain things with cleaning your windows will make for better results. You can avoid streaky windows with a little know-how.
Don’t Clean in a Circular Motion: Cleaning windows in a circular motion can create static. Static attracts dust to the window surface.
Don’t Clean Windows with a Power Washer: Don’t use a power washer to clean your exterior windows. The force a power washer creates can damage windows. Power washers can also find paths through your siding and create potential water damage to your home.
Don’t Use Scrapers of Any Kind: Using scrapers can damage windows and scratch glass. Glass scratched by a scraper is not covered under the Infinity by Marvin warranty.
Don't Clean Windows on Sunny Days: Spring window cleaning is best left for cloudy days. Cleaning on sunny days can lead to the cleaning solution evaporating before you wipe it up. That can leave streaks behind. A cloudy cleaning day can decrease the possibility of streaks.
Cleaning Windows with Newspaper: Some have sworn by using newspaper to wipe up windows. Others say it’s not a good practice. Newspaper can leave prints behind and fall apart. Newspaper used to come thicker and offered an absorbent material that left little lint behind. Today, it takes quite a bit of newspaper and takes more time than a squeegee and microfiber cloth.