Denis Larsson
Do you have to have a window cleaner when cleaning windows? No, using window cleaner is often redundant and can leave a film on the glass, so there is no excuse to run out of window cleaner when it’s time to clean the windows.
What tips are there for window cleaning and for getting nice and clean windows most simply and smartly? Well, use plain water and a few drops of washing-up liquid and you will see that it works just as well (at a much lower cost and with a much smaller impact on our environment)!
So it is possible to wash windows without window cleaner and according to some, washing-up liquid with lemon or lime removes grease and nicotine stains better than regular dish soap does. Also, remember to avoid cleaning your windows in direct sunlight as there can be ugly streaks on the window panes when the water dries quickly.
It is best to wash windows on a cloudy or overcast day when the sun is not shining all the time. Many people wash their windows twice a year, preferably in the spring and autumn when the sun is not as strong.
Four steps to clean windows
Here’s how to get the best possible window cleaning:
- Take out what you need, such as a bucket of water and washing-up liquid, a good window scraper, and a cloth or sponge. And preferably some lint-free cloths, such as kitchen towels.
- Dip the sponge or cloth into the bucket of water and rub over the entire window thoroughly. Have a properly moistened cloth or sponge, but not so that the water runs down the window. Repeat if necessary.
- Wipe the edge at the top of the window with a clean, lint-free cloth. Then remove all the water with the window scraper, pulling from top to bottom and without stopping along the way. Wipe the scraper with a dry cloth between each stroke.
- Go over the window several times with the window scraper. You make the last moves on a completely dry window. Wipe off any remaining water on the window edges with a dry, lint-free cloth.
Clean windows in freezing temperatures
Cleaning windows in sub-zero temperatures: what do you do if it’s sub-zero outside when you have to clean your windows? No problem, add some T-Red to the water.
Stains on the window pane: what do you do to remove stains from, for example, masking tape and paint on your windows? If you have got stains from masking tape, paint, or from birds that have left droppings on the window, you must first wet the stain and then carefully take a razor blade and scrape it off. Take a new razor blade that is completely clean to avoid scratching the window pane.
Evelyn also advises on the importance of having a really good window scraper at hand and not using, for example, a shower scraper. There are good window scrapers on the market today that are adapted to all windows and glass surfaces and that also has an extendable handle so you can access them more easily when you need to wash your windows and other glass parts.
