The days of warm weather are behind us and soon, the snow will arrive. Before the cold weather arrives, get out and clean your windows. That way, you can avoid staring out at cobwebs all winter long and, more importantly, avoid working in the cold! If cleaning outside windows is still on your to-do list before winter, here are some suggestions.
Start with the screens
Getting the easiest job out of the way is a great way to start. Cleaning dusty window screens doesn’t need to be challenging. Plus, it can be done inside or out. Popping the screen out and hosing it down outside is a simple, quick way to remove grime and dust. If it isn’t an option to take it outside, you can clean it in place, too. Just soak a microfibre cloth in a mix of water and vinegar and gently wipe down the screen.
Take care of the windows
With the screens done, it’s time to move onto the windows. The same mixture of one-part water and one-part vinegar used for screens can be used on your windows. Just soak a standard mop, preferably with a microfibre head, in your mixture and scrub away. Once the dirt and dust are gone, apply a streak-free window cleaner. Once it’s all dry, it’ll look brand new. You’ll be thrilled with the added natural sunlight beaming through after the job is done.
Cleaning in winter
Sometimes, jobs and time get away from us. If winter arrives and you haven’t gotten to your windows yet, that’s OK. Even if you gave them a clean in the fall, the dirt left from melting snow may force you to clean them again. It’s still a job that can be done, and is worth doing, amid the cold and snow. You may just have to switch up your tactics.
Prepare the right way
There are a couple of things to consider before choosing to clean windows in the winter. Not only is the day itself important, but the time of day too. Look ahead in the forecast and find a day with calm conditions. Working outside with blowing wind isn’t ideal in any season and certainly not in winter. Then, figure out when in the day the windows that need to be cleaned are in the shade. Cleaning in the shade will prevent annoying streaks.
Sorting out the timing of your cleaning is a crucial part of the preparation process. But preparing the windows is absolutely vital. Give your windows a quick inspection and clean out any dirt that has worked its way into the window track or grooves of the windows. Then, prep your solution. Hot water on cold windows is never a good idea since it will freeze more quickly. One-part slightly warm water to one part of vinegar is the perfect winter window cleaning mix.
Adding a splash of windshield wiper fluid to your solution can stop it from freezing if you are working in very cold temperatures.
And now, to the cleaning!
With your windows and solution prepped, you’re all set to clean! Following the same process, while being mindful of water temperatures, is perfect. Just soak a microfibre cloth (instead of a mop) and scrub in circular motions, avoiding streaks. A streak-free cleaner, applied afterward, will have your windows looking good as new. If your windows are a bit run-down even after a good scrub, Muskoka Window and Door Centre has the solution. We even replace windows in the middle of the winter. Get in touch with us today for an estimate.