Clean Windows! YeeHAW!!

[forHISglory]

We have 48 windows. And I have struggled over the years to keep them clean. I tried all sorts of formulas, both homemade and professional, all kinds of gadgets, cloths, papers, and still ended up with awful streaks. I washed in the sunlight, indirect light, moonlight..... Nothing seemed to really make them totally clean and sparkley.

Well, I washed them today and for the first time ever, they look awesome. First, it is overcast out and temps in low 60s (Don't know if this helps, but I'm factoring it in). Next, I bought a bottle of Walmart brand of Windex, and cut it 50/50 with white vinegar. On to the cloths: I got a package of microfiber cloths in the auto department. They look and feel like chamois, and were meant for polishing the finish on a car. They really worked a wonder on the windows. After I finished, I just tossed the cloths into a cold water, low detergent laundry, and line dried them. They were good to go again.

Just had to pass this on!

[happimommi]

Yea!!! I can't stand dirty windows. Drives me nuts! Glad you have nice shiny ones.

[Edna_E]

Thanks! I am moving into a house with the windows streaked, and won't be able to do them myself for a few months, but should be able to use this info when it cools back down. Meanwhile, I may try paying somebody to do them because I am spending a lot of time lying on the living room floor with my leg elevated, and I look straight out the streaks and they are driving me crazy!

[emily_hope]

Thanks for the tip. I, too, struggle with cleaning all our windows. One minute they look great and then when the sunhits them a certain way... there's the streaks again!

[FrugalMomof3]

Thanks for the tip but WOWWY 48 windows, OMG that's alot, I only have 20 in total including the small basement windows.

[M55FF]

48 windows?
ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ! sounds like you need one of those long handled squeegie things if your going to try to keep them all clean.

Counting my windows..
do double windows count as 2?
or 1?

I dont think I want to know how many I have

[cab54]

48!!!! :surprise: Lord have mercy, woman! I have 28 counting the basement and I could cry thinking about window washing!

I'll have to check out those cloths. I had good luck last year with ammonia and a tiny drop of Bronner's cleaner and water, and a squeegy.

But I'm glad I haven't gotten up the courage to tackle the windows yet--we got up to yet another 3" of snow again today.

[Athena31]

Funny thing I cleaned all 32 of my windows today .............cheers!

[vigilant20]

I use the same cloths! You might be able to skip the windex...just a vinegar and water mixture is what I've been using for all of the windows and glass in my home.

[mhope]

I have always use vinegar , water and old newspaper.

[HandyMom]

I use vinegar & water half and half on my windows. I only have about 20 windows to wash, including the screen doors.

[C@rol]

Thanks for this tip. Spring cleaning has begun in my
house and this tip will help a lot.

[forHISglory]

About the newspapers used for cleaning.....

I tried that and it made a mess on the white window frames and sashes. The ink bled, and I had a difficult times getting it to come off the white. There's probably some trick to doing this correctly, as I have heard of others who used newspaper, but it didn't work for me.

[Frugal Nurse]

I just cleaned my windows (only 23).

Let me tell you what I do. Quick as a snap.

Use liquid Dish detergent- the kind you use to wash dishes with. If it's good enough to clean your glasses sparkly- it's good enough for the windows.

I fill the wash basin with warm soapy water (the equivalent of what you'd use to wash your dishes with). I carry that around with me- window to window.

I use a sponge that's on it's way out. Preferably with a scrubber side. Wash the window with soapy water.

Then 'squeegee' it dry.

bah-da-bing. Bah-da-boom.

Quick, painless and fast. I did all my windows on Saturday morning.

I keep a rag with me- to wipe the squeegee off and run the rag around the window base to clear the excess.

Once the water gets too dirty to wash the windows- I use it to wipe up the sills.... you know ! the place between the window and screen that seems to collect ALL the dirt?

Learned this trick from the (brave) high-rise window cleaners in Boston.

Cheap cheap.

[cissylu]

thank you so much for the tip`s.