Window Cleaning

Everyone has their opinions when it comes to what constitutes a beautifully clean window. The choices among cleaners alone are quite plentiful. How do you know which way to go? This guide will give you an idea of where to start by giving you plenty of information to mull over.

First of all, there are a ton of homemade cleansers you can concoct that work very well. Some recommend using a solution with the ratio of one half a cup vinegar to one gallon of water. Anyone who has ever made their own cleaner has tried this version, and by all accounts it works. This method is also non-toxic for humans to be around. In fact, you could drink it if you thought you could hold down a gallon plus a half a cup of liquid.

If you prefer something more substantial (chemically speaking, that is) you can try to make the same solution, but with a half a cup of ammonia rather than a half a cup of vinegar. This one might be a tad stinkier, but the smell will dissipate soon enough.

In the winter, you may be more interested in a solution that is not as likely to freeze. If that is the case, you will be glad to know that you can combine one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, a half a cup of sudsy ammonia (the kind that feels extra slimy when you touch it), and two cups of rubbing alcohol with a gallon of water and be quite pleased with the resultant cleanser.

While it would be possible to go into great detail about the various commercial window cleaners, this article will not be doing that. The reason for this is that everyone has their own favorite window cleaner. However, I am fairly certain, however, that Windex is the market leader in this area. If you do plan on going the route of commercial cleaners, then you can be sure that Windex at least produces some decent results.

Begin cleaning your windows by wiping your windows with either a squeegee with a rubber blade on the back and a sponge on the front, or using a firm washcloth. There are many people who prefer to use pre-moistened cloths or towels, but I have not found that to be as easy to use as a plain old bucket of water and sponge or rag made of firm material. You can dry your windows by using newspaper, this makes it shinier because of the ink deposited on the windows, or you can also use a plain old rag if you like. Avoid using either tissues or paper towels on your windows, as they may leave lint on the glass. Many people swear by microfiber cloths, which is so absorbent that it can often do the job without using any cleaning liquid at all. In addition, these cloths will not leave lint or streaks unless they are already fairly dirty.

In conclusion, it is recommended that you do your windows on an overcast day. The reason for this is that the sun will not be able to dry your window washing fluid onto the window before you can clean it off, causing streaks.