Transparent, clean windows with no streaks are the dream of any housewife. The problem can be solved not only by using store-bought household chemicals. The funds available on the farm will come to the rescue.
By adhering to recipes and proven proportions, it is easy to prepare effective window cleaning compositions that will allow the glass to remain clean.
In this article we will tell you how to wash windows with folk remedies if you don’t have a special one on hand designed for washing glass.
Basic rules for washing windows
Rain and snow, wind with dust, condensation, tobacco smoke, traces of insects and fingerprints, children's games with paints and felt-tip pens are the main reasons for the contamination of window glass. Ideally, windows should be washed once every three months. Residents of the first floors may need more frequent cleaning, and perfectionists and pedantic cleanliness enthusiasts may repeat washing procedures even more often. Regardless of how often you wash your windows, it is better to follow a number of simple rules:
- When is the best time to wash windows? The ideal time for cleaning is cool, windless and cloudy weather. The fact is that at high temperatures the detergent will dry too quickly, and you will not have time to wipe it off without leaving streaks. The same goes for a windy day. The bright sun will cause glare, which may interfere with the quality of the washing result;
- What's the best way to clean windows? It is better to start washing windows by sorting out the deposits of things on the windowsill, if any. Then you can remove the curtains and put them in the wash. Don't forget about blinds and mosquito nets. The next stage is washing the window sill and window frames. It is better not to use soda and other abrasives for these purposes - you can damage both plastic and wood. A soap solution based on washing powder, dishwashing gel or laundry soap is ideal. To enhance the effect, you can add a few drops of ammonia. Wipe the frames thoroughly with soapy foam, and then wash off the foam with water. You can use a sponge; in the most difficult places you can use the hard part. Most of the dust and dirt from the windows can be removed using the same soapy water and a sponge, and after that, proceed to using the main detergent (store-bought or homemade). If you carefully monitor the cleanliness of your windows, you can immediately use the main product. It is better to start cleaning windows from the inside. When washing plastic windows, pay special attention to seals, drainage holes and metal fittings - you may need a brush for proper cleaning;
- what tools will be needed? Container (basin or bucket) for cleaning solution and water. You will also need a sponge, a piece of dry cloth or a microfiber cloth (the main thing is that there are no fibers left on the window from the material). Many people find it convenient to use a special glass cleaner. This is a device with a sponge on one side and a crimp on the other. The handle, as a rule, can be extended, so that all hard-to-reach places can be washed much easier. Of course, detergent is the main thing we need in the fight against stains and dirt. It is best to apply detergent to glass using a spray bottle, but you can use a sponge;
- Which product should I choose, industrial or homemade? The shelves in supermarkets and household chemical stores are literally littered with special products that promise the perfect result in the form of transparent, streak-free glass with minimal effort. Not all products are as effective as advertising promises, but many actually do their job very well. Not so long ago (many remember that time well) there were no special chemicals, so housewives used improvised means to clean glass, and it must be admitted that the windows in the apartments were no less transparent than now. Traditional recipes mean the absence of toxic and allergy-causing substances and good savings, because all the ingredients can be found at home. The result will be no worse than using store-bought products.
With ready-made products, everything is clear: you need to make a choice based on reviews or your own instinct, apply it to the glass, wash it and evaluate the result. The selection of products is huge. Folk recipes are a whole storehouse of knowledge. If you are afraid of unnecessary hassle, we hasten to please you: preparing a window cleaner at home is generally not difficult. As a rule, it is enough to mix several components, and then proceed as with a store-bought product.
Note that if a soap product or composition is used that requires rinsing, then the procedure will be as follows: apply the solution, wipe the surface with a sponge, remove all foam from top to bottom with a screed, rinse the glass with clean water, then you can go through the screed again, and now all that remains is to wipe it dry glass with a rag, paper towels or newspaper.
No. 1. Newsprint
This is one of the oldest and most proven methods , well known to everyone who lived through the Soviet era. Dishwashing detergent, powder or grated laundry soap must be added to warm water. Using a sponge, thoroughly wipe the frames, glass and handles, paying attention to particularly dirty areas. Now you need to rinse the glass with clean water and a clean rag and start wiping it with crumpled newspaper paper.
The secret of this method is that newsprint absorbs moisture perfectly, and this is what you need when you need to quickly get rid of water and prevent streaks. Moreover, the paper and the special composition of the ink give the glass a characteristic shine. This method was so popular and gave such excellent results that today some housewives use newsprint along with store-bought products to achieve the best results.
Note that newspapers are not the only folk remedy intended for rubbing glass until it shines. For these purposes, you can even use nylon tights , which are easily comparable in effectiveness to microfiber.
What can't be used?
In an effort to clean faster and more efficiently, you can easily damage your windows. To prevent this from happening, it is important to remember some prohibitions:
- You should not mix different components in a row, trying to make the composition more saturated. Some substances cannot be combined together, as they either neutralize each other's effects, or, conversely, can cause the washing solution to become too caustic. In the latter case, the seals and the plastic itself may suffer.
- You should not try to speed up the window cleaning process by using abrasive brushes and coarse-grained compounds, for example, coarse salt, etc. The sharp edges of the grains and a hard brush can easily scratch both the glass itself and the frame.
- In order for the glass to remain streak-free, the final stage of care should be polishing and necessarily wiping the surface dry.
- Components to which family members are allergic should not be used as ingredients in the cleaning solution.
No. 3. Vinegar
Using this recipe, it is fashionable to prepare a multifunctional product . Firstly, it will save you from stains, and, secondly, it will repel insects, which, let us remind you, make a significant contribution to the process of glass contamination. To prepare the solution, you need to mix a glass of warm water and 50 ml of vinegar. It is most convenient to apply the product to the glass using a spray bottle and wipe the window dry with a soft cloth or napkin.
No. 5. Lemon or citric acid
Not everyone likes the vinegar smell, and if you can include yourself in this group of people, then vinegar can be replaced with citric acid, which has almost the same properties. You need to dissolve 50 ml of lemon juice in a glass of water, and then, using a spray bottle, apply the product to the glass and wipe it with a soft, dry cloth. The apartment will smell pleasantly of citruses.
There is another variation of preparation. It is necessary to fill a liter jar with lemon peel (the volume may be different, it all depends on the amount of peel collected) and fill it with a 9% vinegar solution. Let the solution infuse for 1.5-2 weeks, after which it must be filtered. The resulting liquid can be added to water and used to clean windows and floors. It will perfectly remove dirt and disinfect.
Store products
Folk remedies have a lot of advantages, but you don’t always have the time and desire to prepare them. Goods from the store come to the rescue. Both inside and outside windows are treated with liquid agents. Wooden and metal-plastic structures can be damaged by abrasives. The method of use mainly depends on the form in which the product is released. Before using any product, be sure to read the instructions from the manufacturer. The product can be applied pure or diluted. It is presented in the following categories.
- Sprays. Apply to the surface and simply wipe with a dry cloth. Very convenient for windows with bars. You can adjust the intensity and scale of spraying.
- Solutions. Diluted in water. They can be used to safely clean sliding windows without drips. The main thing is to wear protective gloves.
- Gels and pastes. Apply in pure form. Wash off with plenty of cold water.
No. 6. Ammonia
Ammonia does an excellent job of removing nicotine film , removing other contaminants and disinfecting. True, its smell is not pleasant, so after washing it is necessary to ventilate the room well. It is better to work in a protective mask so as not to damage the respiratory tract and avoid poisoning.
To prepare a cleaning solution, you need to mix 2 tbsp. spoons of ammonia and 2 glasses of water. Then everything follows the standard procedure: apply to the glass and wipe thoroughly. This solution is great for cleaning mirrors and crystal. To convince you of the effectiveness of the product, let us remind you that most store-bought window cleaning compositions are based on ammonia .
If the glass is heavily soiled, the composition can be strengthened by adding vinegar : dissolve 1 tbsp in a glass of water. a spoonful of ammonia and 1 tbsp. a spoonful of vinegar. Some recommend replacing the latter with technical or formic alcohol . The result will please you.
Cleaning double-glazed windows on the balcony
To clean the windows on the balcony you will need a mop with a long handle. With its help you will be able to reach the upper corners.
If all the frames are sliding or open inward, washing them from the outside will not be difficult. Be sure to pay attention to their attachment points and guides . If dirt gets into them, it will cause problems with frame movement.
If necessary, double-glazed windows are removed. To do this, the plugs are dismantled, after which the structure is removed from the guides. This article will tell you more about how to wash windows on a balcony, loggia, how to wash panoramic windows - this one, sliding ones - this one.
No. 7. Starch
Surprisingly, starch helps to cope with very dusty windows and avoid streaks. Many different folk recipes are based on it. The simplest one is to prepare a solution: 1 tbsp. spoon of starch per 1 liter of water. The mixture is applied to the glass, wiped with a sponge and left to dry. Then all that remains is to wipe with a dry cloth, getting rid of any remaining starch.
A variation of this method is to use raw potatoes . It must be cut and rubbed with a glass tuber. When the window dries, we remove the remaining starch with microfiber and enjoy the result without a hint of streaks.
What is the power of starch? The thing is that the glass is only at first glance even and smooth. In fact, it is full of dimples and scratches into which water can easily get in, dry out and leave streaks. Starch is able to weaken hydrogen bonds, preventing the appearance of streaks.
Surface cleaning
1. Spray glass cleaner (non-ammonia) onto a microfiber towel;
2. Starting from one side and moving to the other, wipe the glass with vertical movements (up to half of the windshield);
3. Using broad strokes, wipe the same side of the windshield horizontally;
4. Use a dry microfiber towel to wipe the same side of the window and wipe dry using long, even strokes.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 on the other side of the glass.
Ready!
photo: DEPOSITPHOTOS
No. 11. Soda + vinegar
This famous and popular pair in households is also useful for washing windows. She does an excellent job with children's drawings on windows . In 2 liters of water you need to dissolve ¼ cup of baking soda and 100 ml of vinegar. You can take warm water so that the soda dissolves faster, since it is important that not a single crystal remains. Baking soda particles can scratch the glass. The resulting solution is applied to the contaminated surface and the effects of children's creativity are carefully wiped off with the hard side of the sponge. Then the glass is wiped dry with a paper towel.
No. 12. Onion
Experienced housewives know that onions are great for removing traces of flies . Use half an onion to rub the contaminated areas until they are completely clean. Next, all that remains is to rinse with water and wipe dry with newspaper, or use any of the methods described above and below to further clean the glass.
Cleaning the windshield from the inside: a review of the method
It's no secret that the outside of your car's windshield can get dirty very quickly. The presence of wipers and liquid for cleaning the outside of the windshield is certainly an extremely important thing, especially on not the cleanest winter roads... However, an experienced motorist should understand that the inside of the glass should also be clean, for the same reason - because of visibility.
No. 14. Glycerol
This product is not intended for washing, but to prevent contamination , or rather, to slow it down, which is also important. When the windows are perfectly washed, you want to preserve the result as long as possible, and this composition comes to the rescue, making the windows less “attractive” to dust.
The recipe is simple. You need to mix 40 ml of water and 60 ml of glycerin, add 2-3 drops of ammonia, shake the resulting mixture thoroughly and wipe the glass with it. In addition, such a mixture will provide reliable protection against icing.
How to clean windows from the outside?
If the window sashes open towards the apartment, then washing the windows from the outside can be done quite simply by using one of the means listed above. It will be more difficult if the doors are blind or swing outward. If we are talking about a private house, then a stepladder will solve the problem. To clean windows located at a decent height, you can use a telescopic windshield wiper . It has a fairly long handle that can be bent at the desired angle, reaching the most difficult to reach places. Another option is a magnetic brush , which consists of two parts: one part with the brush is attached on the outside, the second on the inside. The magnet allows you to hold the part with the brush and wash the glass in the most remote corners. Convenient, but you will need a little patience.
The windows on the first floor from the outside may be stained with dried grains of sand. Rough methods of rubbing the glass to remove dirt will not work in this case - you can only scratch the surface. It is best to apply a soap solution to the contaminated areas for 10-15 minutes so that the grains of sand soak, then it will be much easier to remove them. Then you can use any washing method.
Assistant devices
To make the process of washing windows easier, you can use special devices, of which there are many today. They not only save time, but also help you get to hard-to-reach places if you can’t reach them.
Such devices are indispensable for residents of high-rise buildings, as well as for owners of glazed balconies and loggias:
- Telescopic mop . It has a retractable handle that allows you to reach corners at great heights.
- Magnetic brush . The device is represented by 2 halves, which are attracted to each other by magnets. A person washes only the inside, and the brush located opposite him repeats his movements on the outside of the window.
- Rubber scraper with a short handle (water scraper). With its help, it is easy to remove foam and dirty water from glass after basic cleaning.
- Steam Mop . Powered by electricity, dirt is removed under the influence of a jet of steam. The device can be used for various household needs, for example, for washing tiles.
- Vacuum cleaners for windows . The devices operate on batteries or are powered from the mains. The principle of operation of the device is simple: using a built-in spray bottle, detergent is applied to the glass, then it is wiped with a special nozzle. The completion of cleaning is the suction of liquid into the reservoir. As a result, the entire process takes a few minutes.
- Robot vacuum cleaners for washing windows. These miniature assistants are divided into vacuum and magnetic. The devices operate independently, with virtually no human intervention.
The more complex a device is from a technological point of view, the more expensive it is. You can find out how to wash windows with a Karcher steam cleaner here, how to use a window washer - here, how to use a telescopic mop - here, a magnetic brush - here, robotic vacuum cleaners - in this article, washing vacuum cleaners for windows - in this one.
How to clean windows after renovation?
Of course, it is better to cover the windows with paper in advance to prevent them from getting dirty, but everyone has the right to make mistakes. Moreover, so many people make mistakes in this matter that many ways have been found to deal with a wide variety of contaminants formed during repairs:
- drops of chalk or lime whitewash are easily washed off with CIF gel for shiny surfaces;
- acrylic paint can be removed with gasoline or white spirit;
- cement particles can be removed from glass with phosphoric acid, but you must act very carefully so that the substance does not get on the window sill;
- the remains of masking tape are removed with drying oil, turpentine, vegetable oil or isopropyl alcohol;
- enamel and nitroenamel are dissolved with acetone;
- “Solvent 646” will help to deal with polyurethane foam that gets on the glass.
In conclusion
We won’t mention professional products and special napkins - ubiquitous advertising will do this much better. Please note that when washing windows, do not forget about your own safety. Wear gloves, and when working with solutions with a strong odor, take care to protect your respiratory tract. Do not stand on the windowsill - use a stepladder or stable stool. It's better if someone backs you up. Do not use products based on aggressive solvents or abrasive particles. If the glass has scratches or small cracks, they can be covered with clear varnish. And remember that there are windows on sale with self-cleaning double-glazed windows, which are much less demanding to maintain than ordinary glass.
The article was written for the site.
Tags:Windows, Cleaning
How to clean plastic and wooden window structures?
Plastic windows are not picky to care for , but in order for them to last longer, they need to be washed correctly:
to remove stains from glass, you can use gels based on alcohol, ammonia or surfactants; ordinary soapy water does the job well;- To care for double-glazed windows, you cannot use powders with abrasive particles and caustic acids;
- you need to pay attention not only to the glass, but also to other components;
- To make cleaning easier, you can use various devices, with the exception of hard brushes, which will lead to scratches.
Old-style wooden frames have many cracks and openings into which dust gets clogged. You can remove it with a toothpick or cotton swab. To care for glass, use non-aggressive solutions, for example, soap or vinegar water.
Do not wash wooden frames with soda, as it destroys the paint and can harm the structure.
You can find out how to wash plastic windows correctly here.
