Making Better Real Estate Decisions

You probably clean up the inside of your windows fairly often, especially if you have little hands constantly touching them and leaving fingerprint smudges or if you have a dog leaving his nose artwork on every window he can reach, but what about the exterior of your windows? How often do you clean those? You should clean them as part of your spring cleaning around your home, but you may never really do this—probably because it can be quite a pain. You can clean your windows though without the use of a squeegee to get your windows clean and shining like new again without streaks. See below for instructions and some tips.

Here's What You'll Need:

• 3.5 oz. Jet Dry
• 4 tbsp. rubbing alcohol
• 1/4 cup ammonia
• 1/4 cup powdered dishwasher detergent
• 2 gallons hot water
• Long-handled microfiber cleaning brush
• Garden hose
• 5 gallon bucket
• Rubber gloves

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in the bucket, and swish it around with your cleaning brush to mix it up evenly.
2. Spray your first window with the garden hose to remove most of the dirt and dust.
3. Using the long-handled brush, scrub the window clean. 
4. Rinse the solution off of the window, and allow it to dry to a streak-free shine.
5. Repeat this for all of your windows. Use a ladder (and a helper to hold the ladder) to reach second-floor windows.

Interior windows can be cleaned with this solution as well, but wipe the solution on with a microfiber cloth, and wipe them with a clean damp cloth to rinse the solution off of the window. Again, allow them to dry thoroughly.

Other Tips:

Clean the interior window track and sill using plain white vinegar and baking soda—one tablespoon of each. Sprinkle the baking soda in the window sill/track first, then pour the vinegar over the top. Allow the mixture to bubble and sit for about 5 minutes. Scrub it with a toothbrush, and wipe it clean using a damp microfiber cloth.

Window screens can be easily cleaned using 3 tablespoons baking soda, 1 tablespoon washing soda, 4 cups water, and 10 drops essential oil (lavender scent). Add the baking soda and washing soda together in a spray bottle, then add 2 cups of water to the mixture and shake to combine thoroughly. Spray your window screens with the mixture to help dissolve dust from your screens. Then combine the other 2 cups of water and the essential oil drops in a separate spray bottle, and spray your screens to help get rid of any mold growth.

Cleaning your windows can be a bit of a chore, but you can get the job done yourself using the tips above, or you can hire a professional cleaning company and have your windows cleaned for you—both inside and out. To find a cleaning service, check out a site like http://www.kathysqualitycleaning.com/.