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Window Washing Tips and Tricks |
Here at Maid Right, we do allot of window washing for our customers. In fact we will have done nearly 700 residential exterior window washings this year. Suffice it to say, we know how to get windows squeaky clean. Would you like squeaky clean windows too? Then read on...
First and foremost, if your going to clean windows the right way, you need to use a squeegee. Throw out the paper towels, old newspapers, etc. These items just don't do it like the all knowing all powerful squeegee. A squeegee can be had at any major home improvement store for about $8 and will last a couple of years with moderate use.
So your armed with a squeegee, now what? Well there are a few other things you will need. In the squeegee section there is another useful but not necessarily needed tool called a strip washer. All professional window washers use these, but if you don't want to pony up an extra $7 you can use an wet absorbent cloth ringed out. You will also need a bucket, preferable 5 gallon but a 2.5 gallon will work too. Either surgical cloths, (buy these used, about $3 a dozen) or other non-linting absorbent cloth. A container of JOY dish washing liquid, and some fresh clean water. Oh and a razor blade or two, preferably in a retractable holder for convenience and safety.
You are going to start out filling the bucket about 3/4 of the way up with water. Take your container of Joy and put 1-2 good squirts in the water. It is important that the soap be mixed in after the water is in the bucket. We want to avoid as many suds as possible. Give it a light mixing and your set. So you have a bucket of Joy, now what?
It's time to clean your windows! Start by taking your new found 2nd best friend the strip washer (second only to the squeegee of coarse) and apply some of your mixture starting from top to bottom on your first window, using a light scrubbing action. I say light because you really want the water to do the work. the soap added to the water is just a means of keeping the water clinging to the glass long enough for the natural erosive action of the water to lift the dirt from the window. If you have stubborn items such as tape or even more common, jelly fingerprints from a little one, you will need to use the razor on a moderate angle to lift these items from the glass. If you need to use the razor over a majority of the glass surface, you will need to re-wet the window. Now take your squeegee and starting at the top, pull from the top to the bottom in a smooth straight stroke keeping one edge of the squeegee touching the frame of the window. Once finished with your first pull, move the squeegee over so that a majority of the squeegee is positioned over wet glass with about 2" overlapping glass that is dry from the last pass, and go down the window again. Do this until you reach the other side. I would also like to note that the proper position when holding the squeegee on the glass should put your knuckles about 1" from the glass surface. This method also works going side to side instead of top to bottom. Just start at the top and work from the same side all the way down overlapping by 2-3".
Now, if this was done properly you should have an almost completely clean and dry window. Take you absorbent cloth and using a finger, wipe the edges and the corners with a firm stroke, and keep rotating the cloth to a dry section for each pass. You will also want to wipe the frame and the window ledge, making sure not to touch the freshly cleaned glass with the wet cloth.
In no time you will be a pro at washing your windows. If you have ever had your windows cleaned you have probably seen the window washers use an S-type stroke on the windows. This is a more challenging method which is done for speed but is not necessary when you are only doing your own windows. Just take your time and use smooth, even, and consistent strokes. And remember, it only takes a minute or two so if you mess up, just rewash the window...
Enjoy!
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