Now that spring has sprung, it is time to think about that dreaded job of cleaning your windows. Most of us think that this job requires a professional to come in. But that really isn’t necessary anymore. True, this can be a tedious and trying task, but it doesn’t have to be. even though there are a wide variety of window cleaning solutions at your local stores that claim they do a wonderful and streak free job, you can do it your self for a fraction of the cost by making your own homemade solution. This requires only two or three items which you probably already have your kitchen.
You will need a large spray bottle, white vinegar, and water for your cleaning solution. If you use distilled water to mix the window cleaning solution it will cut down on the minerals in the mix and prevent water spots from appearing later on. You will also need some old newspapers. To make your solution simply add about 2-3 tablespoons of white vinegar to very warm water in your spray bottle. If you don’t like vinegar, you may also use lemon juice of club soda. If you like, you may also add a couple of drops of antibacterial dish soap to your solution. This will actually remove any wax buildup that may be on your windows from previous cleaning where commercial type cleaners were used. If you are seeing streaks on your windows, that is why. There is a wax buildup. So add the soap! You may also want to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands from getting overly dry and cracked from the solution. The gloves also help keep the black newspaper print from getting on your skin.
If you have a lot of windows you may want to choose to do the front of the house one day and then the back the next day to break up the job. You also want to take a day when it is not too sunny as the sunlight will tend to make it more difficult to tell if the windows are clean therefore avoiding streaks. Another good idea is before you actually start washing the windows you may want to wipe any dust and debris from the windows seals and the frame.
Once you are ready to start washing your windows, it is a good idea to do the outside in one direction (horizontally) and the inside the opposite direction ( diagonally) as this will help you see if there is any streaking going on. To use the newspapers, just spray your windows and wash away and then use a different newspaper to dry until all streaks are gone. If you don’t like the idea of using a newspaper because of the ink coming off, another alternative would be to use large coffee filters as they are lint free and relatively cheap. If you really want your windows to shine after you have finished drying them, invest in a blackboard erasier (the real one made with wool, not the cheap one that comes with inexpensive children’s toys) and give it a really nice shine.
As the season gets colder and you want to keep the frost down during the winter, in the fall sponge on some rubbing alcohol and polish with newspaper. Be sure and use the news or the classified not the shiny advertisement part. Ad if you want to get road grime off your car windows…try hydrogen peroxide straight out of the bottle. You’ll be surprised at what comes off your windows!
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