When cleaning windows it's not always what you see is what you get! Some window cleaning chemicals won't leave streaks right away but after a good drying period a dull film will start to appear. This usually occurs if the window cleaning solution has added chemicals that won't evaporate and are left as a residue on the glass. When purchasing a good window cleaning chemical or solution it is usually best to purchase products that are ammonia based. Ammonia based products will evaporate quickly and not leave any residue. Concentrated glass cleaners are great for use in climates where the temperature changes, especially if you are using them outdoors. A concentrated glass cleaner can be diluted with the correct amount of water for the amount of moisture in the air and the ambient temperature. Mix in more water for hot and dry climates and less water for cooler moist climates. By using this method you can really cut down on those window streaks.
Another good tool to use when cleaning windows is a window squeegee. Window squeegees don't leave lint and can quickly remove any cleaning solution from your glass. Window squeegees come in many sizes and styles. For residential window cleaning a disposable window squeegee is the way to go. Disposable window squeegees do a great job and are very economical. When the rubber squeegee blade starts to break down and disintegrate just throw it away, and purchase a new one. Professional window cleaners and janitorial personal are likely to use a professional window squeegee with a replaceable squeegee blade. On these types of squeegees when the rubber blade starts to disintegrate you can just replace the rubber, retaining the original handle and channel. Professional window squeegee handles are made from many different materials such as stainless steel, plastic and brass. Brass will usually hold up better than other materials and won't rust. Window squeegees come in many sizes ranging from 12 inches to four feet. Some companies have tried to produce window squeegees over four feet but they are too hard to control and are too heavy for one person to use. Most professional window squeegees come in three sections, the squeegee handle, the squeegee channel, and the squeegee blade.
Window washers are great for cleaning stains on windows such as bugs, bird droppings, and tar. Window washers are basically a semi abrasive towel attached to a handle and shaped like a window squeegee. The pad or towel on a window washer is usually made from cotton enclosed in a nylon net. The nylon netting is made to quickly remove the toughest of stains.
How To Clean Windows
Windows probably are the part of the home which is normally got dirty easily. Get some ideas on to clean the windows and curtains. Sometimes we feel dissatisfied after cleaning the windows only with the water. Perhaps your can mixed the water with some solution such as vinegar, alcohol, etc. Below are some tips that you can use.
A logical time to tackle the job of washing the windows is right after you have taken down your curtains and draperies for washing or dry cleaning. Give the screens a brush-off first so that rain won't drive dust from them against your nice clean windowpanes. Dusty screens shut out a lot of sunlight too.
IF YOU WASH YOUR OWN WINDOWS it might be a good idea to make a round of some of the stores to see what is available in the way of laborsaving equipment. This will include long handled brushes some with hollow handles into which you pour your favorite cleaner squeegees of various sizes, with or without built-in cellulose sponges, and long handled brushes for the outside, that can be attached to a garden hose. You will also have your choice of a number of special cleaning preparations that are either sprayed on or spread on.
PLAIN WATER will, of course, do the job very nicely and that is what professional window cleaner use nothing added. If, however, you feel better putting something in it, you can choose one of the following: vinegar, ammonia, washing soda, trisodium phosphate, alcohol, kerosene, or borax. All of these aids have their enthusiastic backers. But never, never use soap. It leaves smears on the glasses that are very hard to rub off.
IF YOU USE VINEGAR OR AMMONIA add about a tablespoonful to one quart of cool water; or use one to two teaspoons of borax, TSP, or kerosene.
ALCOHOL IS RECOMMENDED for cold weather use to keep the water from freezing on the panes. About a quarter of a cup in a pail of water is right. Alcohol, the various sodas, and ammonia are damaging to painted surfaces and to varnishes so be careful not to spatter the furniture or woodwork if you are using them. Available also for cleaning windows are mild scouring powders in convenient cake form.
TO CLEAN WINDOWS WITH A WATER MIXTURE, squeeze your sponge, soft lint less cloth, or chamois as dry as you can. Wash the top, bottom, then the middle of the pane and polish it immediately with a clean dry cloth (old linen is tops for this), chamois, or a crumpled paper towel. Wipe cake powders on with a damp cloth to coat the window with a thin film and wipe it away with another cloth when it is almost dry. A vacuum cleaner dusting brush can be used for this. If you use one of the commercial preparations for win-down cleaning be sure to read the directions and to follow them, for best results.
THE TECHNIQUE OF USING A SQUEEGEE after washing the pane is to apply it firmly downward, wiping the moisture from the edge of the rubber blade after each stroke. Squeegees and chamois leathers have the advantage of leaving no lint.
STRONG CLEANING SOLUTIONS ARE NOT NECESSARY to clean windows, since dirt cannot penetrate glass. Paint stains and putty smears, however, frequently cloud the issue. A little ammonia on a damp cloth will take care of the putty, and fresh blobs of paint can be wiped off with cleaning fluid or turpentine. Old paint stains can be softened with turpentine, then carefully scraped off with a razor blade. Be careful not to scratch the glass hold the blade perfectly flat
Wash the windows only after you taken down all the curtains and draperies. Plain water will do for cleaning the windows. Avoid mixed it with soap, to prevent the smears on the glass. If you use the alcohol or ammonia to clean the pane, make sure that it doesn't spatter on the furniture as it will be damaging the surface. You can use the wipe cake powders to clean the window with thin film. Now your windows are clean and shinning.
Both Lee Harris & Mitch Johnson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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