Ask the Expert

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette window cleaning illustration.
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette window cleaning illustration.

Now that I've checked most of the to-do items off my spring cleaning list, I want to clean the windows. What's the best way to do this?

Michael Silva-Nash, executive vice president of Molly Maid of Greater Little Rock, offers advice.

"It depends on how bad they are in terms of not being maintained," he says of the windows. "If they need a lot of help what we usually do is get razor blades and a [blade] holder from a home improvement store."

Scraping the dirt and debris from the glass with the razor blade method is a lot of work and tedious, but it works well, Silva-Nash says. His employees use it on newly constructed houses where there are manufacturer's stickers on the windows or in cases where children have decorated windowpanes with stickers.

Nash also recommends using a multipurpose cleaner and following up with glass cleaner to clean windows.

For windows that are particularly dirty or in places where people smoke, Silva-Nash suggests using a multipurpose cleaner to wet the window followed by wiping the glass clean with a squeegee. He says adding a little bit of bleach to a multipurpose cleaner will help keep mold and mildew at bay. If you add bleach, however, make sure the cleaner does not contain ammonia, since bleach and ammonia are toxic when mixed.

Ammonia-free cleaners seem to work better, he explains, as ammonia-based cleaners tend to leave behind streaks. After the windows are clean, or if they were never too dirty to begin with, it's time to bring out the glass cleaner.

"You could also use old newspapers and Windex on glass and that leaves it streak-free almost guaranteed," Silva-Nash says, adding that most glass cleaners are formulated to make windows shine rather than to clean them.

"That's why we use the razors and the multipurpose cleaner first," he says. "If you're still getting streaks after using Windex, it's because your window is still dirty. Especially with mirrors that have a lot of hairspray on them because you're just moving that residue around instead of

removing it."

When cleaning windows, don't forget to clean the blinds as well.

"When I do the blinds at my home, after I clean and dry them, I then pass a used dryer sheet over them, ..." Silva-Nash explains. "That helps to keep dust from collecting on them again as quickly."

The right tools for the job

Some of the tools to have on hand for cleaning windows include a bucket, warm soapy water, a wash mitt or microfiber cloth for washing, an absorbent microfiber cloth for drying, a squeegee and also some glass cleaner.

First, wash each window with soapy water using the cloth or mitt. Then, run the squeegee over the soapy windows, and finally dry with an absorbent cloth. If desired, finish the job by adding shine with a glass cleaner.

Clean from both directions

After washing the windows from the inside, then it's time to clean the outside as well; doing so will offer more thorough results and avoid leaving water spots and streaks to mar the otherwise flawless view through the windows. It's also a good idea to wait for a cloudy day or until later in the afternoon to clean the exterior side of the windows. Why? Because streaks are more likely to appear during direct sunlight.

Fungus among us

Watch for mildew and mold on the window's wooden frames. If the tell-tale gray or black spots are detected, vanquish them by donning rubber gloves and breaking out a solution including bleach to target those trouble spots, followed by a through rinsing with clean water.

"If it's a significant spot, I would recommend a little bit of bleach," Silva-Nash says. "That's really the only thing that's going to get the mold off."

Thorough screening process

Cleaning the window's screens will also help achieve the best results. After removing the screens from the windows, scrub both sides of them with a soft-bristled brush and some hot water. Next, shake off any loosened dirt or dust and finish by using a hose to rinse them.

"Make sure they are completely dry before you put them back in," Silva-Nash says.

On the right track

After the window panes have been cleaned, don't forget to clean the surrounding windowsills and the tracks on which the windows run up and down. The best tools for this part of the job include cotton swabs or paper towels in a cleaning or a vinegar solution. Make sure to wipe along the window's track to remove any remaining debris. Finish by opening the window and washing the part of the sill it rests upon.

Do you have a decorating or remodeling question? We'll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Linda S. Haymes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark., 72203 or email:

lhaymes@arkansasonline.com

HomeStyle on 05/14/2016

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