If the weather dips below freezing, consider rescheduling your window cleaning to avoid the hassle of frozen cleaning chemicals. Otherwise, cooler temps have little impact on cleaning windows. The main thing to remember is to use cold water in cold weather and avoid washing in freezing temperatures.
Professional window cleaners try to clean when temperatures are between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (10-23 C). These temperatures are most common during spring and autumn seasons, making those the best times for outdoor window cleaning.
Window cleaning professionals suggest avoiding window washing on very sunny days or at a time when a window is in direct sunlight, as the heat may cause the glass to dry too quickly and cause smears.
Darkness and grime can interfere with the amount of sunshine that penetrates through windows. In the winter months it's even more important to ensure that as much sunshine makes it into interiors as possible so getting windows regularly cleaned is key.
Hot water cleans windows faster
Removes dirt more easily – hot water is more successful in removing dirt. This is because hot temperatures make dirt particles vibrate faster, which makes it a lot easier to wipe them away.
Combine two parts water with one part white vinegar in a spray bottle and you'll be all set with a homemade window cleaner. You can also combine warm water with a few drops of dishwashing soap if you prefer. Invest in a glass spray bottle to mix up your formula.
Bottom Line
If you're a homeowner, clean your windows regularly, twice or thrice a year, and once every month for commercial properties like restaurants. However, take into account factors that may require you to clean exterior windows more often. You can do it yourself or call in a professional.
For best results, avoid using Windex® Original Glass Cleaner on very hot or cold surfaces. The product may evaporate before wiping and cause streaking.
On a sunny day, the lather will dry quickly, leaving persistent streaks and marks even after you've scrubbed and dried your windows. Window cleaning professionals recommend cleaning on a cloudy day. This weather gives you a little more time before the lather starts to dry.
The best way to clean windows begins with the right weather. Since bright sun will dry your cleaning solution before you can properly clean the windows and leave them streaky, it's best to wash windows on a cloudy day.
Once all the dirt is off the windows, it's time to dry them. Working from the top down to prevent drips, dry the glass with a squeegee or clean, dry, lint-free towel. Use a dry part of the same cloth to wipe away cleaner that's pooled around the edges where the glass meets the frame.
What happens if you don't clean your windows? "Mostly, you will slowly have less light coming into your home," Ek explains. "However, over time, a buildup of dirt particles can actually etch or degrade the glass."
Before winter, you can choose from weatherstripping, extra caulking, draft stoppers, and DIY shrink-wrap kits in an effort to weather seal your windows and reduce the amount of drafts felt over the cold months. If you want to weatherstrip, measure the perimeters of each window and then add 10% to account for materials.
Opening your window for only a few minutes a day can drastically reduce your risk of becoming ill. We all know the winter season is a time when most people get sick, and it could be due to recycled, stale air and lack of fresh, clean air circulating within the home.
Extreme temperatures put a lot of pressure on window glass. In some instances, the cold has been known to cause cracks. The cold can cause stress cracks that start out small and spread across the window. In most cases, this happens to low quality builder grade windows or old single pane windows.
Most people should wash their sheets once per week. If you don't sleep on your mattress every day, you may be able to stretch this to once every two weeks or so.
Schmitz says that cleaning your baseboards once every two to three months should be sufficient, though that will depend on the room of your home and how much traffic it gets. If your baseboards have collected a layer of dirt, dust, and pet hair, they're due for a cleaning, regardless of when you last wiped them down.
Windex Outdoor Concentrated Cleaner is the easy way to clean and shine windows, patio furniture, brick, and other outdoor surfaces! The specially-designed spray bottle conveniently attaches directly to your garden hose.
A: The Windex® Outdoor Sprayer is a convenient spray-and-rinse cleaner that makes it easy to give outdoor windows a streak-free shine without wiping. It can also be used on patio furniture, playsets and other plastic and vinyl surfaces.
Mix up your window-cleaning solution: In a plastic spray bottle, mix together 2 cups of warm water with 1/4 cup white vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of Dawn. Sweep away dirt: Using a broom, sweep away the cobwebs and debris from the windows and sills.
You can also make an all-natural window cleaning solution using a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and hot water. Adding a touch of liquid soap to the vinegar solution will help remove any streak-causing wax left on the window from commercial cleaners used in the past.
Window Washing Tips
If you want to take an environmentally friendly route (which we recommend), then a solution of warm water and vinegar will do the trick and get your windows clean. Some brands and types of windows are much easier to clean than others.