properWindows are an essential part of your home. They let in natural light and fresh air while keeping the weather out. Therefore, taking care of your windows is important so they can last for years.
Different Cleaning and Maintenance Methods for Home Windows
Most of us think a chip of stain or paint in our windows will just be gone after a couple of weeks. We don’t know that even a small paint stain can become a big problem that is difficult to deal with later on. So how can we properly clean our windows? To guide you on the right track, here are the top cleaning and maintenance methods for home windows that you should be aware of.
Window Screening Cleaning Procedures
Our window screen can accumulate tons of dirt and debris that we don’t usually see unless we take a closer look. It can even be quite difficult to clean when the specks of dirt have been stuck in the screen for a long time. Deep washing should be done in these cases to clean the screens. To start your window screen cleaning, use a soft vacuum, lint roller, magic eraser, or a small toothbrush to wipe out the dirt on the screen’s surface gently. For deeper cleaning, you can apply pressure washing using vinegar spray, or you can perform saturation using cleaning solutions. To clean the entire screen, you can take out the screen first, then apply cleaning procedures.
Window Glass Cleaning Procedures
The second thing to do is clean your window’s glass surface. Before you can wash and spray clean your glass window, make sure that you have wiped any dust first, or else you will end up with mud streak stains that are much more difficult to clean. If your glass windows have deep stuck dirt in them, you can use a vacuum to suck up the debris. Next is the spray cleaning. If you have a cleaning solution for spray cleaning, you can directly apply it to your glass windows. But if you’ve forgotten to buy one, you can use a homemade cleaning solution using water, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol. Make sure that when you apply spray cleaning, the solution is enough to remove or dissolve thick dirt or debris. After that, you can use a microfiber cloth to dry the glass surface. You can also use a squeegee for outdoor window panes.
Exterior Frames Cleaning Procedures
It’s not a well-accomplished job if the exterior surface of the window is not thoroughly cleaned. So, how do we clean window frames and hardware? The frames and hardware of your windows can be clean using a mild soap or detergent while gently wiping out the surface. Avoid using cleaning solutions with ammonia chemical-based since this will damage the surface of your window frames. Use a microfiber cloth to dry the surface. This will suck up all the moisture in the frames and hardware, even in the most difficult spot. For vinyl windows with deep stains stuck on the frames, try using PVC cleaning cream to remove the marks or thick stains.
Removing Scratches
We all get annoyed when we see scratches on our window glass surface and frames. So what can we do to remove window scratches? Use the appropriate paint colour to cover scratches and keep it sleek. You can use a wood finish tool for windows with wood frames to remove the scratch. If the scratches are present on the glass surface, use a standard toothpaste with a baking soda mixture. With a microfiber cloth, gently wipe the toothpaste and baking soda combination to the scratched area in a circular motion. This is a very effective way to remove deep scratches and keep the glass surface sleek, smooth and glossy looking.
Do Regular Inspection of the Window Hinges and Locks
To keep the windows in good shape, check for possible repairs on your window tracks, locks, and hinges. If the locks are becoming too tight, check for any possible rusting. The locks and hinges of our window are susceptible to dirt and can be the reason for their tightness. To prevent this from happening, use a spray silicone lubricant to wipe out any drips in the hinges and locks. While lubricating the hinges, try to open and close the window to get the solution deep into the hinges. This method will keep our window components from any possible damage caused by rusting or by dried greases.
Do Regular Insulation Inspections
The insulation seals and weather strips keep the cold air from entering our house and prevent the warm air from escaping. To check whether there is an insulation problem in your windows, use an incense stick and hold it closer to the window. This is to check if there are possible air leaks. When the incense smoke is rapidly pushed inward or outward, there is a high possibility of air leaks due to gaps, which means you will need insulation repair or replacement. You can try to fix this problem by using caulk or rubber foam insulation. But it is only a temporary solution while waiting for your trusted repair service.
Install Storm Window Protection
It is a much smarter decision to install storm window protection for houses that are usually affected by typhoons and other extreme weather conditions. With this, you will be protected from harsh and strong winds. It also provides additional insulation, keeping the warm air inside the house from escaping out and vice versa. Moreover, the insulation property of storm windows will save a lot of energy costs in the long run. This also guarantees durability to your window, which ordinary windows cannot assure. Above all, installing storm window protections will keep your windows in good shape and for more prolonged use.
So, have you learned the essential cleaning and maintenance tips to keep your windows smooth, sleek, and durable? If you still need assistance with your home windows, seek the help of our expert cleaners at Prime Window Glass. We provide different cost-effective approaches for any window cleaning services. Call us and schedule your first Prime Window Glass appointment. We also offer our services to Property Managers.