What makes my windows so dirty?
Because homes nowadays are so well-sealed, much of the dust, pollen, and general dirt, which would once have escaped to the outside, now remain indoors. It's a good idea to check the filters on equipment such as central heating boilers, air conditioners, and tumble-dryers, to reduce as far as possible the amount of dirt circulating in the indoor atmosphere.
Cleaning materials
As well as branded glass cleaners (which can be expensive) there are many household products which are useful for cleaning windows and window frames, such as liquid soap, vinegar, ammonia, bleach, and surgical spirit. Newspaper (not colour-printed) is a traditional glass-cleaning material, and household rags are also a useful addition to cloths and sponges.
Getting glass properly clean
Whether you use a branded cleaner or soap and water, avoiding streaks is the key to a good result. A solution containing alcohol or vinegar will help to prevent a smeared finish, and it's important that the final polish is done with a cloth or paper that is absolutely clean. Bits of fluff or lint will spoil the effect, so use newspaper or a lint-free cloth. Don't wash your windows in direct sunlight; the solution will tend to dry too quickly, and you may see water spots as a result.
Very dirty windows
There may be some marks, such as bird droppings, which need to be scraped off, and so will any paint residues. If dirt has built up, it is probably best to use soap and water for the first stage, followed by a solution of equal parts of vinegar and water with a clean cloth.
Window frames
If the window frames are very dirty, it is best to tackle them first before moving on to glass cleaning. Start with a soft brush to remove loose dirt, and then a solution of soap and water to wash the frames down.
Window sills
After brushing off and washing down with soap and water, window sills may still show marks which need a stronger solvent solution to remove them. The corners of window sills tend to gather dirt, which needs to be dug out with an old toothbrush or cotton buds, using a solvent if necessary. A final polish with floor wax will help to keep the window sill clean in future.
Mould
Window frames and sills tend to attract mould because of the condensation that forms on them. The black stains it leaves can be cleaned off with a solution of soap and bleach in water, and bleach will also help to prevent mould reforming.
Take care!
Don't add to the window-cleaning accident statistics. Use steps and ladders only if they are safely positioned, and never climb on furniture to reach the windows. Handle strong chemicals, such as ammonia, with great care, and use rubber gloves. Don't mix chemicals; ammonia and bleach, in particular, combine to produce a dangerous gas. Read the instructions on branded products.
Because homes nowadays are so well-sealed, much of the dust, pollen, and general dirt, which would once have escaped to the outside, now remain indoors. It's a good idea to check the filters on equipment such as central heating boilers, air conditioners, and tumble-dryers, to reduce as far as possible the amount of dirt circulating in the indoor atmosphere.
Cleaning materials
As well as branded glass cleaners (which can be expensive) there are many household products which are useful for cleaning windows and window frames, such as liquid soap, vinegar, ammonia, bleach, and surgical spirit. Newspaper (not colour-printed) is a traditional glass-cleaning material, and household rags are also a useful addition to cloths and sponges.
Getting glass properly clean
Whether you use a branded cleaner or soap and water, avoiding streaks is the key to a good result. A solution containing alcohol or vinegar will help to prevent a smeared finish, and it's important that the final polish is done with a cloth or paper that is absolutely clean. Bits of fluff or lint will spoil the effect, so use newspaper or a lint-free cloth. Don't wash your windows in direct sunlight; the solution will tend to dry too quickly, and you may see water spots as a result.
Very dirty windows
There may be some marks, such as bird droppings, which need to be scraped off, and so will any paint residues. If dirt has built up, it is probably best to use soap and water for the first stage, followed by a solution of equal parts of vinegar and water with a clean cloth.
Window frames
If the window frames are very dirty, it is best to tackle them first before moving on to glass cleaning. Start with a soft brush to remove loose dirt, and then a solution of soap and water to wash the frames down.
Window sills
After brushing off and washing down with soap and water, window sills may still show marks which need a stronger solvent solution to remove them. The corners of window sills tend to gather dirt, which needs to be dug out with an old toothbrush or cotton buds, using a solvent if necessary. A final polish with floor wax will help to keep the window sill clean in future.
Mould
Window frames and sills tend to attract mould because of the condensation that forms on them. The black stains it leaves can be cleaned off with a solution of soap and bleach in water, and bleach will also help to prevent mould reforming.
Take care!
Don't add to the window-cleaning accident statistics. Use steps and ladders only if they are safely positioned, and never climb on furniture to reach the windows. Handle strong chemicals, such as ammonia, with great care, and use rubber gloves. Don't mix chemicals; ammonia and bleach, in particular, combine to produce a dangerous gas. Read the instructions on branded products.
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