Tips for Spring Cleaning Windows

Spring cleaning is one of my favorite times of year. When the whole house gets sparkling clean and fresh after being closed up all winter, infusing the entire place with fresh air and the smell of clean. I even enjoy the actual cleaning. With one exception, my least favorite part of spring cleaning is windows. There are way too many of them, and they are just as dirty inside as out. I am not one of those lucky people who have easy fold in windows for easy cleaning.

After too many years of struggling with paper towels and window cleaner, hanging on ladders to reach the top corners, and ending up with streaks all over the place, I have finally perfected my spring window cleaning strategy. This method is much less labor intensive and no streaks to worry about either.

You will need:

A stack of newspapers, this allows you to recycle and prevent streaking at the same time.

A spray bottle filled with equal parts white vinegar and hot water.

For Inside Windows:

Spray entire window with vinegar and water mixture, then crumple a few sheets of newspaper. Use the newspaper to clean the windows in a side to side motion working from top to bottom. If the newspaper starts to crumble or leave bits behind, discard it and use a new wad.

This leaves your windows shiny, and streak free.

For Outdoor Windows:

I personally do not like to do the outside windows at all, but since I have to do them, at least once a year I have come up with the least labor intensive way possible I could think of.

Walk around the outside of the house with your handy dandy spray bottle of vinegar and water, spraying all the glass. Use a ladder to carefully climb up to spray upper windows thoroughly.

By the time you have sprayed all the windows, the vinegar should have had time to work its magic in loosening the dirt, bugs and other stuff on the glass.

Now hook up your water hose, and spray the windows from the top down, washing all the dirt down to the ground. Let the windows dry naturally.

Voila, your windows are clean, inside and out, but for once your arms aren't aching and sore. Now you can go do the hardwood floor waxing by hand.

Happy Spring Cleaning. For more helpful hints visit www.amrentalservices.com.

Sources: Authors Personal Experience