Keep your window screens clean and you’ll have better airflow throughout your home. To do that, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps.
Start by sweeping loose dirt and dust. If your windows are very dirty, use the vacuum cleaner’s brush attachment. Don’t spray cleaner on top of loose dirt because it will just wash it into a muddy mess. You can return to our home page.
Preparation
As with indoor cleaning, outside windows and screens should be free of obstructions. Ensure the area is clear of patio furniture, potted plants, and kids’ toys that might get in your way as you clean. You may also want to trim or cut back bushes or shrubs that are rubbing against windows or growing too close.
Before beginning the actual window cleaning, saturate a microfiber cloth or newspaper with white vinegar and wipe away dust and cobwebs. Newspaper is an excellent choice as it contains dense fibers that won’t scratch the glass or leave lint behind. If you prefer, a commercial cleaner can be used instead, such as CLR, available in the cleaning products aisle at hardware stores.
Mold only needs water and organic matter, such as dust, to grow. As rain patters down on your dirty window screens, it blows dirt, salt, and spores into your home, where they can irritate sinuses and contribute to poor indoor air quality.
Cleaning
Start with a quick vacuum or brush of your window screens to remove loose dirt and dust. If you have a crevice tool on your vacuum, use it to get the dirt in all the little corners and cracks of the frames. Then, lay down a tarp or old towels in your work area to protect the floor or carpet from scratches or drips.
If your screens are extra dirty, consider removing them from the frame and placing them on a table or a deck so you can give them a thorough washing with warm soapy water. Be sure to label the screens so you know which ones belong where once they’re dry.
If you’re not comfortable with removing your window screens, try whipping up a homemade cleaner that you can apply while the screen is in place. The key is to use a heavy-duty ingredient like ammonia to break down any caked-on dirt.
Debris Removal
A clean window not only looks great but helps your home stay brighter and warmer by allowing sunlight to shine through. A good cleaning also makes the windows easier to open and shut, saving on energy costs.
Start by removing loose dirt from the window frames, sill, and tracks with a brush or vacuum cleaner’s dust attachment. It’s best to do this before you apply a cleaner because the cleaner could turn dust into a muddy mess.
If the screens are especially dirty, remove them and gently brush off any large debris or cobwebs. Spray them with a garden hose (nozzle set to low pressure) and wash them in warm, sudsy water as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Rinse and dry before re-installing. To help keep the screens in pristine condition between soapy cleanings, use a lint roller (preferably a non-metal one) over them on both sides. This will help to prevent the screen mesh from deteriorating.
Final Steps
To finish the job, you’ll want to squeegee the windows. There are a few ways to do this, but it is best to do the job when the sun is not blazing and you can work with a clean, lint-free cloth. Then, once the window is dry, touch it up with a cleaner for marks and smudges that were hard to remove.
If you have screens on the windows, it is also a good time to deep clean them. If you can’t detach them from the windows, lay them flat on a large surface outside and wash them with soapy water. If they are very dirty, you can use a toothbrush to get into the little holes and nooks and crannies.
Remember to wipe off the wood window frame and sill when you are finished. This will prevent the cleaning solution from drying on the window and leaving streaks. A damp cloth should do the trick, but avoid using a solvent that can discolor the wood. Next blog post.
