Although in some parts of Europe and the UK many people believe having their windows cleaned when it rains is a waste of time, in the USA, it is normal practice for window cleaners to carry on in all weather except storms and high winds. Windows need cleaning because they get dirty not because they get wet.
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.
It's often best to clean windows when temperatures are between 64 degrees Fahrenheit and a temperature in the 70s. In other words, seek a day that's not overly hot. For many, this means either a day in the fall or spring or a very early morning on a cooler day in summer.
Pick a cloudy day. 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.
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.
No matter what the season is, it is generally best to wash your windows on an overcast day or early in the morning.
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.
According to their report, windows should be washed twice a year, while screens need only to be cleaned annually. For many home owners and even renters, window cleaning usually is a once-a-year chore.
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.
For residential windows, we recommend that you fully clean your windows at least twice a year, but three times a year may be best for those who live in areas with lots of trees where pollen tends to accumulate. Every six months is a good rule of thumb for window cleaning, but more often is even better.
Perhaps your windows haven't even had the dirt removed properly. This can happen if you keep reusing a sponge that isn't being washed frequently. Or if the technique used is sloppy and not thorough. And some squeegees give a really patchy finish, especially poorer quality models not designed for professional use.
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.
A big problem is the evaporation rate. If you're cleaning your windows on a warm sunny day, the liquid part of the solution evaporates quickly and leaves behind a residue that appears as streaks. On the other hand, if you don't entirely remove the liquid you can also be left with a streaky window.
What happens if you don't clean your home's windows? Dirty windows can reduce the natural lighting in your home and affect your indoor air quality. Over time, dirt particles weaken the structural integrity of the glass and cause discoloration.
For homes and small businesses it can take anywhere from one hour to three hours to have your windows cleaned professionally. For larger homes and companies it can take from 2 to 6 hours to have all the windows cleaned.
Clean your bathroom once a week as a good rule of thumb.
Professional window cleaners use a solution made from dish soap and water to achieve a streak-free clean. The key is to use a small amount of soap and distilled water. Some professionals add ammonia to the water for increased cleaning power.
For that reason, users of the water fed pole system use purified water. Window cleaners purify their water by passing it through a series of filters and resins, making use of natural processes like reverse osmosis and deionisation.
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.
This has to do with the evaporation rate—if your cleaning solution evaporates before you have time to wipe it off, it will leave a mark. Alcohol- and ammonia-based cleaners evaporate more quickly than vinegar, but any window cleaner can leave streaks if it isn't removed fast enough.
Cleaning windows with newspaper is a popular and effective way to get them sparkling clean. It's an easy, inexpensive, and eco-friendly method that has been used for generations. Google LLC, USA and Coca-Cola have all endorsed the use of newspaper for window cleaning.
Commercial window cleaners will leave a very fine wax residue, a cleaning mixture of vinegar and water alone will often result in streaky windows. To remove this wax residue a simple detergent can be added to the vinegar and water to perfectly clean your windows!