Windows are the face of every house and apartment. Any housewife tries to keep them clean. Basically, washing is carried out 2 times a year, in early spring and autumn. But due to nearby roads, pollution has to be dealt with more frequently.
The process is labor-intensive and takes quite a long time if you do not use simple rules. Having learned some secrets, you can make this task easier.
How often should you wash windows and when?
It is advisable to carry out the procedure more often, at least once every 3 months. This way, less dust will settle, and cleaning will be faster and much easier.
Expert opinion
Evgenia Katyshkina
Household and farm management specialist
When the outside temperature is below 5 degrees, there is a chance of scratching the glass with remaining frost.
You should refrain if it is a bright sunny day outside, as wet stains will dry out and be more difficult to wash off. The same goes for windy weather.
During cooking, sweat will form on the stove and in the oven, the windows will fog up and it is difficult to make sure they are clean. And you won’t be able to wipe the glass dry.
Useful tips
Whatever means you use to wash your windows, there are a few secrets that will help you get the job done much faster and with better quality:
- Washing windows in very windy weather or in extreme heat is not the best idea: it has been noticed that on such days there are much more streaks on the glass, because the water dries out faster.
- It is better to wipe already washed glass first vertically and then horizontally, in this case there will be much less streaks.
- If you don’t want to wipe the windows dry with a rag, buy a rubber squeegee (price up to 100 rubles), although the window will not be perfectly dry, but it will save time and effort.
- A mop with a telescopic tube will help clean high windows and dirty frames, as well as windows on the loggia.
- To prevent flies from landing, add a little vinegar to the water when washing.
- Cleanliness for a long time: after washing, you can treat the windows with a solution of 100 ml of glycerin + 40 ml of water and a drop of ammonia - a film is formed on the window, on which dust does not settle.
Required Tools
Clear the window sill in advance of unnecessary items (figurines, vases, flower pots, etc.). Place all the necessary washing tools within reach so that you don’t have to stretch too far.
It is better to use 2 pairs of gloves. Some are rubber for wet work, the other are cotton for dry work. Gloves will also protect the glass from greasy hand marks.
Pour water into the bucket so that it is not heavy, but you do not have to change the dirty liquid often. Decide on a cleaning agent.
It is better to use only natural substances for cleaning windows, without dangerous ingredients and fragrances.
Prepare clean, absorbent rags with or without short lint and microfiber cloths. The scraper is chosen such a length that the rubber end reaches the opposite side of the window (30-40 cm).
Useless and effective folk remedies for protecting against ticks in the countryside and nature
How often should you wash windows?
It is advisable to carry out the window cleaning procedure at least once every 3 months. In this case, less dust will settle and, accordingly, cleaning will be much faster and easier.
If there is bright sun shining outside, then you should refrain from cleaning the windows, since wet stains will dry quickly and will be much more difficult to wash off. The same applies to windy weather.
Cooking on the stove, as in the oven, promotes the formation of perspiration, as a result of which the windows fog up and it becomes quite difficult to ensure they are clean. In addition, wiping the glass dry will not work.
Necessary working tools.
You should first empty the window sill - clean it of unnecessary objects: pots with indoor plants, various figurines and vases. Place the tools required for washing within reach so that there is no need to reach far.
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It is better to use two pairs of gloves. Some (rubber) will be needed for wet work, while others (cotton) will be needed for dry work. In addition, gloves will protect the window glass from greasy fingerprints.
You need to pour enough water into the bucket so that it is not heavy, and, at the same time, so that you do not have to frequently change the dirty liquid. You also need to decide on the choice of cleanser.
Tip: When cleaning windows, it is wiser to use only natural substances, without any dangerous ingredients or fragrances.
Prepare clean rags made of material that absorbs water well (with or without short pile), as well as microfiber cloths. The length of the scraper is selected so that its rubber end easily reaches the opposite side of the window opening (approximately 30-40 cm).
Window cleaning steps
To effectively deal with stuck dirt, follow a certain sequence:
- They start washing from the frames . A larger amount of street dust settles on their surface.
- Washing the inner surface of glass . Everything is simple here, wipe with a damp cloth soaked in the product, and then with a dry one to eliminate stains.
- Washing the external surface . Soak a sponge in soapy water and go over the entire glass, driving the dirt towards the cornice. Use a scraper to remove soap stains.
- Take care of the cleanliness of the cornices . Often a lot of dirt accumulates on them, as well as waste products of birds.
- Finishing . Repeat all steps only with clean water and run the glass cleaner from top to bottom over the entire surface area. After each action, you should wipe the scraper rubber so as not to stain the already washed areas.
- Dry glass is polished with old newspapers or nylon tights.
You should not wash all the windows at once, as you may miss some areas and not wash them. Everything should be gradual, without rushing.
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.
Vinegar
A universal cleaner that can cope with any task.
It is mixed with water in a ratio of 1:8. To remove unpleasant odors, you can add a few drops of essential oils. But if you pour too much ether, the glass will remain sticky and dirt will stick to it.
Pour the resulting mixture into a spray bottle and spray it on the window. The litter will come off the frames well even without active rubbing with a napkin. All you have to do is wipe it with a microfiber cloth.
Using this product indoors, the smell will persist for several days, but will eventually fade away.
Basic rules for washing windows without streaks
The first tip is to process the entire area in one step. Do not leave part of the glass surface unwashed. Outside, due to wind and drafts, some of the dirt and dust will move to a clean area. The same thing, but slower, will happen indoors.
Secondly , in addition to glass, frames need to be processed. Some of the debris accumulates in the seals, on the profile of the frame and sash. This will preserve the appearance of the window and reduce clogging of the entire structure.
Additional tips for cleaning streak-free windows:
- free access to the entire area, remove all unnecessary;
- do not clean in windy weather;
- first the structures are washed from the inside and then from the outside;
- the main layer of dirt is removed with vertical movements, then horizontal;
- Do not use rags with lint.
You need to wipe thoroughly, but not smearing the dirt, but collecting it. There is no need to press hard on the glass, but the cleaning tool should also fit tightly to the surface. There should be minimal water on the window. Often liquid is the cause of streak formation.
Ammonia
This is a liquid that contains ammonia, which has a very pungent odor and is often used to bring a person to his senses.
Expert opinion
Evgenia Katyshkina
Household and farm management specialist
The product is not safe, so you should be careful when using it. Avoid contact with eyes, nose and mouth. If there are signs of poisoning, you should call an ambulance.
For 1 liter of water (25-26 degrees) there is 1 tbsp. l ammonia. The composition is poured into a bottle with a spray bottle and sprayed onto dirty surfaces. Dry using paper towels or lint-free wipes.
If you take newsprint, the printing ink will additionally polish the glass.
Preventing stains on windows
As a preventive measure, you can add a few pinches of starch to the water. It is necessary to wash windows on a sunny day, since in cloudy weather some of the stains may simply not be noticed. Try to rub the surface as quickly as possible after cleaning with water or chemicals and get rid of smudges.
By adding a few tablespoons of salt to the water and washing the windows at the beginning of winter, you can prevent ice from forming on the glass.
By following all the recommendations and using the methods, you can easily wash the windows in your house without leaving streaks on them, and even on a gloomy day, much more light will enter your home.
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Uses of nettle
This herb is used in various industries. It is also suitable for washing windows. Pour water into a 5 liter bucket, preferably hot, so that the nettle can infuse. Lower the beam for 5-10 minutes.
Wear rubber gloves to avoid getting burned. Take out nettle branches and wipe the surface of the window with them. Then simply dry the glass with newsprint.
Don't try to polish your windows to a perfect shine and risk your safety. Sometimes it is better to use the services of professional services, which will cope much faster with the help of special tools.
Procedure
You need to start by cleaning hard-to-reach places in the window frame. They should include the junction of the glass with the frame, as well as small recesses intended for attaching the mesh. It is in these places that sand and dirt most often get clogged. You can get rid of it by simply cleaning these places with a cotton swab or toothpick (if the stains are difficult to clean), or you can also use any rag or sponge.
Attention! If time forces you to hurry, but you still cannot get rid of dirt (for example, dust), use a vacuum cleaner. Set the maximum power and direct the pipe from the vacuum cleaner into the holes and protrusions described above.
Next, you need to carefully inspect the glass for dirt. As a rule, these are bird droppings, insects, and raindrops. If there are any, then soak a rag in a bucket of warm water, after adding a few drops of detergent, and remove the dirt.
If there is no dirt, then soak a window cleaning brush in a bucket of water, move the side with the sponge along the glass with smooth movements from top to bottom, and then, as quickly as possible, run the rubber scraper along the wetted surface. All dirt from the glass will begin to flow onto the floor. To avoid getting the floor too wet, lay newspaper on it. Repeat these steps for all windows.
These manipulations can be replaced by using glass cleaner. Pleasant smell, speed, minimal time spent are absolute advantages. But it cannot be used in the presence of severe pollution, since it cannot cope with them. To use, spray the product onto the surface of the glass and rub with a microfiber cloth.
