Cleaning your own windows sounds simple, but there’s a big difference between a DIY clean and a professional clean. If you have any type of specialty windows—tinted, leaded, stained glass—or if you have windows that require tall ladders to reach, you should definitely hire professional window cleaners to avoid damage and injury. Removing paint, bird droppings, and other tough stains also requires professional tools and techniques to avoid damaging your windows.
The Benefits of Professional Window Cleaners
Window cleaning is one of those chores that is universally hated. In fact, even professional house cleaners are known to say, “I don’t do windows.” You may consider just cleaning your windows yourself, but you will find that DIY cleaning is time and labor intensive and without the proper tools and know-how you are likely to still have unsightly streaks and stains.
Many homeowners think that window cleaning sounds simple enough. You just spray on the glass cleaner, grab a paper towel, and wipe it all down. The problem is, doing it that way won’t actually get your windows clean. To really get your windows clean you will need specialized tools, plenty of time, and the know-how to do it right. If spending that kind of time and energy on a half done job sounds less than appealing, you should probably consider professional window cleaning.
In some cases you should absolutely hire professional window cleaners. If you have tinted windows or windows with a special UV film, trying to clean them yourself could cause damage to the window. Also, if you have stained glass or painted glass, hiring a professional will ensure that you don’t damage these beautiful, fragile windows.
If you still want to attempt to do your windows yourself, here are some handy tips from the pros at Glass Geeks:
Get the Right Tools
Professional window cleaners use professional tools. If you want your windows to get that spotless look, you’ll need some professional tools, too. Start with the right window detergent. Your average grocery store window cleaner is actually not your best option. But you also don’t need anything special or expensive. The professionals often use just warm water with a little dish soap. Avoid making it too sudsy. The fewer bubbles, the better.
Along with the proper detergent, you will want a strip applicator. A strip applicator is like a squeegee, but instead of a rubber blade it has a soft brush that is ideal for applying detergent to the entire surface of your window. A spray bottle will apply your detergent unevenly and will miss tough areas like corners or crevices. Since you will be using a stip applicator and not a spray bottle, you will also need a bucket to hold your detergent.
For smaller or multipane windows, a strip applicator will be too big. Get yourself a good sponge. Natural sponges tend to work better than the cheap synthetic ones, since they are a little firmer and more absorbent.
Once you have a stip applicator and sponge to apply the detergent, you will need a high quality squeegee to remove the detergent. Don’t skimp on this tool. A high quality squeegee will remove all of the detergent without leaving streaks. If you buy a low quality squeegee you may get lines of detergent left over after you squeegee. Those lines will eventually become ugly streaks on your window.
To go with your squeegee you will need some specialized lint-free cloths. Paper towel is about the worst thing you could use to wipe down your windows. It will leave lint and bits of paper that will make your window cleaning almost useless. A specialized lint-free cloth will do its job without leaving nasty residue.
The Window Cleaning Process
Once you have all your tools assembled, you are ready to begin the window cleaning process. It is always best to start outdoors. The outside of your windows in constantly exposed to the elements, so they will naturally be dirtier than the inner side. Starting here will help ensure that you get the complete clean when you do the inside, because you will be able to see clear through the window pane.
Before you begin, take a look around the exterior of your home and spot any windows that are especially dirty. You can start there. To clean a picture window (the large windows with one big pane of glass) you will start by using the strip applicator to apply a generous amount of detergent in a circular motion. Making sure to also reach into the corners. You’re not just applying detergent with this step. The circular motion is also knocking loose any dirt or grime on the window pane so the squeegee can easily wipe it off.
Once the detergent has been spread and the window has been scrubbed, it’s time to get out the squeegee. Run the squeegee over the window in a reverse-s pattern. To keep the squeegee clean and avoid streaks, make sure to wipe the squeegee clean with your lint-free cloth after each stroke.
When you’re done squeegeeing the window, there will inevitably be spots around the edges and corners that you couldn’t reach. Wipe those spots dry with a lint-free cloth (not the same one you used on the squeegee blade). A lot of water will have run down onto the window sill, so make sure to wipe down the sill with a rag before moving on to the next window.
Continue this process for every window, then move inside. It’s a lot of work, but compared to a spray bottle and some paper towel or wadded up newspaper, the results will be astonishingly clean.
Multipane Windows
Some windows require special attention. The simplest type of window that needs a different solution is a multipane window. Your regular strip applicator and squeegee will be too large to get into the smaller panes, so you will need something different. This is where that sponge comes in. Use the sponge to soak up some detergent and apply it to the window pane. Start at the top and wipe left to right, starting at the top and working your way down. Make sure to get all of the corners.
To wipe off the detergent from small panes, you will need a different tool than your regular squeegee. You have a few options here. One solution is to use the lint-free cloth that you use around the edges of your larger windows. If you want an even better clean, you can buy a smaller squeegee that will fit in those tight spaces. You can sometimes find small squeegees made for use in showers. If you are a real do it yourself-er and ready for a small project, you can cut down a large squeegee to the exact size of your window panes. Remove the rubber blade, then use a hacksaw to cut down the metal holder. Use an exacto knife to cut down the rubber blade to the same size and then reattach it to the metal holder. You can then give a single downward stroke to each window pane and get a beautiful clean.
Hard to Reach Windows
If you have windows high up, you will obviously need a ladder. Sometimes a regular six or eight foot step ladder will do the trick. If your windows are higher, like a second or third story, you will need an extension ladder. An extension ladder is heavier and more dangerous than a step ladder. It will need to be firmly planted on the ground at its base and then leaned up against the side of your house to reach the high up window.
Extra precautions should be used with this kind of ladder. It may make sense to have a spotter at the bottom of the ladder to hold the base in place and make sure it doesn’t slip. If you find that you need an extension ladder, you are probably getting in over your head. Put down your squeegee and contact Glass Geeks on our website or give us a call at 210-893-2356. It’s simply not worth risking serious injury just to clean your own windows.
Hiring the Professionals
Does this sound complicated, tiring, or just unpleasant? Don’t risk your windows or your safety. That’s what we’re here for. Contact Glass Geeks on our website or give us a call today at 210-893-2356.