The Cosy Home guide to cleaning windows

Dirty windows can make even the neatest home look a bit unloved. If your windows could use a little TLC, then here’s the Cosy Home guide to cleaning windows.

Pick a nice, dry day – it makes it easier to see any smears and get a nice finish. However, you should avoid a very sunny day as the glare will make it too difficult to see if the glass is clean or not. It may also dry out your wash water before you can wipe it off properly.

Next, assemble your kit. If your windows haven’t been cleaned for a long time, then you’ll probably need the whole lot!

• Large sweeping brush with a cloth tied round the head – this is to knock down cobwebs and dirt from the top of frames. Alternatively, you can use a brush attachment on a vacuum hose.
• Bucket
• Sponge
• Squeegee – if you don’t already have one of these, you can buy them cheaply at supermarkets and they’re worth having
• Spray bottle plus white vinegar, OR bottle of proprietary window cleaning product
• Washing up liquid
• Newspaper
• Microfibre cloths
• Rubber gloves

Step-by-step guide to cleaning your windows

1. If this is a really big clean-up, you should probably go the whole hog and take the window dressings down. Remove curtains from rings and air them outside while you work, or remove blinds.  If you have elaborate window dressings, you may have to work round them!
2. If you’re going to need to clean conservation roof windows, then it may be best that you get an expert in to help you to do it. Not only will they be able to get them thoroughly cleaned, you’ll ensure that you have super clean windows. You want someone who knows what they’re doing, so make sure that anyone you hire knows what they’re doing.
3. Start by removing any objects from the windowsill and putting them safely out of the way. Then, run the vacuum cleaner or broom round the top of the frame to remove any cobwebs. Use warm water with a dash of washing up liquid and a microfibre cloth to clean the frames themselves. If you’re the sort of person who likes to get into a routine, you might find it easier to do all the frames of all the windows first then all the glasswork – or you might find that unsatisfying!
4. Clean the glass itself by sponging with warm, soapy water and a microfibre cloth. Tip: only use a tiny amount of soap as otherwise you’ll never get it streak-free! Use the cloth in an S-shape down the glass pane – not making long strokes from top to bottom will help reduce smears.
5. Use the squeegee to remove excess water, again working in an S-shape from the top corner downwards. Leave to dry.
6. This may be sufficient by itself. However, as your windows dry you may notice a few bits you’ve missed! You can address these with the spray bottle. Mix one part vinegar to nine parts water, and spray it onto a clean microfibre cloth. Wipe it over the pane in an S-shape. Leave to dry, then if necessary polish it up with newspaper, which helps leave a streak-free finish. Leaving the windows open for 20 minutes or so should help get rid of the chip-shop smell!
7. Finally, reassemble the window dressings and heave a sign of relief that you’ve finished that job for a few months. You can also spend some time marvelling at how much better it all looks!

All images (c) 2022 Pixabay

By Sara Walker.