

How to clean windows

This is how to get your windows gleaming

how to clean windows
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Cleaning the windows can be a task people easily miss off their to-do list, as it is a somewhat arduous chore. But, if you aim to clean them a couple of times a year, you'll be rewarded by more light being allowed into your home.

Forget the old advice about scrunched-up newspaper. In the past, papers were printed with petroleum-based oil ink, which is what gave windows their shine. Then, in the 1980s, this was switched to soy ink for environmental and cost reasons - and it doesn't have the same effect on glass.

Whilst it may be a hated household chore, it doesn't have to take up hours of your time. Here's how to get your windows looking shiny and clean again in no time...

Choose your time

Like with a car, avoid cleaning your windows on very sunny days - the heat will make the glass dry too quickly and cause smears undoing all your hard work.

To do a proper job, take down curtains and blinds and clear windows and sills of any bits and bobs. Use a dustpan and brush or your vacuum's upholstery tool to remove any loose debris before washing to avoid a muddy mess.

Tackle mildew on frames

You'll want to put on an old pair of washing-up gloves before you tackle any window frames. Then, clean off mildew with an old lint-free cloth.

Dip the cloth in a branded mould remover to give your window frames a thorough clean or a weak solution of household bleach. The GHI recommends the HG Mould Spray.

Give glass a going over

Use a branded window cleaner or create your own with a solution of one part distilled white vinegar to nine parts water into an old spray bottle. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe them down and then a chamois leather to buff them to a brilliant shine.

Vinegar is an age-old wonder and has the added benefit of being non-toxic and antibacterial, so a very handy product to have in your cupboard - and not just for your chips! You could also try adding dishwasher rinse aid to water when you wash your windows, for ensuring a streak-free finish.

Alternatively, the GHI also highly rates the e-cloth Window Pack, which is a microfibre cloth. Simply add water, no chemicals required.

If you have large areas of glass to clean, such as a conservatory or patio doors, it’s worth considering a window vacuum, to save you the energy. Once you've cleaned your windows, they vacuum up the remaining water in one sweep, making them far less messy than a squeegee which will result in water dripping onto your floors!


Show sills some love

Dust the internal sills regularly, taking time to get into any nooks or crannies that may need extra attention.

Check external sills regularly for rot, and replace any crumbling putty with the correct type for either timber or metal. Repaint as necessary.

Don't neglect window screens

If you have metal window screens, write a number on each window in erasable pencil. Write a corresponding number on the screen before removing it from the window so you know which screen goes back where.

Remove the screens and dust the mesh and frame with the soft brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner. Scrub both sides of the screen with a stiff brush dipped in detergent solution (if you are doing this in the bath, line it with towels to prevent scratching the finish). Rinse using a shower attachment or the fine spray nozzle of a hosepipe. Leave to dry thoroughly in a sunny spot before refitting to the window.



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