How To Clean Old House Windows

Final updated on May 22nd, 2020

Can You GUESS who cleans the 57 windows in this old business firm? Well, I exercise. And I've go adequately proficient at it, too. My technique is like to that of professional person cleaning services, in that I accomplish the job with neither newspapers nor paper towels.

Different modern exposures, which can be tilted in for easy cleaning, my windows are old-fashioned, double-hung types. They open and close on a rope-and-weight system. The glass itself is 186 years old, which ways it is bubbly and wavy. Yeah, old-house windows are bursting with character.

Here in New York'south Hudson Valley, the all-time time for window piece of work is in late September or early- to mid-October. The pollen has settled by and then, meaning i'due south cleaning efforts are non skilful in vain.

Let's continue to the western wall of the Music Room wing, where 5 tall windows await our attention. Although these exposures are at "ground level," a step ladder is still required. For the windows are half dozen feet tall, and the wing sits atop a high foundation. (Yep, I know the wing needs a paint job. Let'due south save that for springtime, okay?)

Using the garden hose with a spray-nozzle fastened, give each window a house blast of h2o. The water will loosen much of the dirt, and prepare the drinking glass for the lather-opera to follow.

In the by, I've used a soapy solution composed of 45% water, 45% rubbing alcohol, and ten% sudsy ammonia. I can tell you this formula works extremely well, and leaves the windows sparkling clean. Outdoors, the solution is easily applied with a common sponge mop.

This yr, however, I'thousand testing a special mop made past Windex. The mop has an extendable handle (which is still as well short to reach my tall windows without a step ladder). Information technology features a cleaning-pad that'southward impregnated with ammonia and various surfactants. One pad, according to Windex, is good for 20 windows. I assume the claim refers to "normal" windows, not extra-alpine exposures similar mine. Replacement pads are bachelor at supermarkets and hardware stores. Then far I'm happy with the product. You can purchase it here.

Will vinegar make clean windows? Well, maybe it will clean yours, if they aren't especially muddied. But it certainly won't clean mine. Speaking from feel, vinegar isn't an constructive grime-cutter.

To remove the soap, give the window some other house spray of water. The washing-solution, be it the Windex mop-version, or the homemade formula, volition rinse abroad without leaving whatever streaks. Both solutions are fast-drying.

Should you spot any pigment-dribbles on a window, as I sometimes do, you'll find that a direct-border razor blade volition remove them effortlessly.

But hold the blade flush confronting the drinking glass, and it volition peel off the paint without scratching your window. A razor volition remove cellophane tape and its residue, as well. I keep such razors in a small box in my cleaning arsenal.

Shall nosotros tackle the inside glass?

To make clean the room-side of windows, use the same h2o/rubbing alcohol/ammonia solution I mentioned earlier. For convenience, pour the solution into a spray bottle. In the picture above, I'm standing on a footstep ladder, facing the bay of three windows at the south end of the Music Room. You can see my front porch exterior the window.)

Spray the window with the cleaner, and permit information technology sit for a few seconds to break downwardly the gunk. And so, using a squeegee, make a horizontal swipe across the top of the window. This will eliminate most drips and drops. Next, swipe vertically, until you reach the lesser of the window. In between swipes, wipe the squeegee'due south safety blade on a piece of terry material. If done correctly, there will be no smudges or streaks on the window, and you won't need newspaper towels or newspaper to produce the shine you desire.

Apply the same terry cloth to wipe up any solution which has gathered forth the latch ledge or sill.

And how do I access the windows on the 2d floor? For these, I climb out of a sleeping room window and stand on the porch roof. The windows receive the ammonia-h2o and squeegee handling.

As for for the second floor and cranium windows in the back of the firm, which accept no landing below them, my only choice is to assault them with a high-velocity ability-washer. I rent the gadget from my local hardware store. A half-twenty-four hour period's rental is hardly expensive. These windows don't come out as clean every bit the soaped-up or ammonia-ized ones, just they get clean enough.

At present, I won't pretend that window-cleaning is my idea of a proficient time. Simply on the other mitt, I refuse to get through winter with dirty windows. I desire sunlight to flood my rooms unhindered, and then do my myriad houseplants.

Now, my inquiring mind would similar to know: Practise y'all make clean your own windows, or do y'all hire the job out? Y'all can let me know by leaving a comment.

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