Do it yourself vs. Professional

To keep your home in good condition, you need to maintain your windows. They are one of the most predominant features of a house, and the first thing people will stare out of when they get bored. Maintained windows are not only good for aesthetics; they are a large factor in its resale value.
 
Additionally, if they have cracks, the temperature that you maintain in your house will suffer, along with your wallet. The increased bills from energy consumption will outweigh the costs of maintaining them.
 
It’s not very time consuming or expensive to maintain your panes. If you’re a new homeowner or are looking for a more effective way of cleaning them, here are some tactics you can use to keep your windows in tip-top shape.
 
Service Residential Windows Monthly
 
If you clean monthly, you reduce the risk of anything bad happening to them. This monthly check also allows you to notice if anything is wrong with them, allowing you to get a head start on the problem before it gets worse.
 
A good first step is to identify which ones you pay the least attention to.  Look for ones covered with blinds, curtains, drapes, or shades.  It’s easy to notice they aren’t there when they aren’t in use.
 
Please make sure you look at these during a sunny day, as it reveals dirt and fingerprints.  Also, check them for cracks or other structural damage.  If your pane has damage, you should replace it ASAP.  It’s often less expensive to replace it if you catch it early.
 
If you are in an environment with more dirt due to weather or construction, you may need to clean them biweekly.  Sometimes, if you live in a more controlled climate, you can wait two months or more before window washing.
 
If the glass is filthy, consider hiring a professional residential window cleaner. Doing it yourself when there is a lot of grime increases your risk of damaging them.  Professionals know how to do it right.
 
How To Do Window Cleaning Yourself
 
Window cleaning techniques depend on their status.  For semi-dry ones, spray a non-streak window cleaner in an even layer across the glass.  Wipe it down with a lint-free, soft cloth.  Chamois cloths work well for this.  If the glass has a thicker layer, you can use warm water with a few drops of soft dishwashing detergent.  After application, use a clean, soft sponge to focus on the difficult parts. Remove excess detergent with clean water.  To make sure it doesn’t streak, you can use a squeegee.  If the grime continues to persist, hire a residential window cleaning service.
 
The frames are an often forgotten part of this process. Frames keep the glass steady, and if not maintained, it can lead to some serious problems. Cleaning them will not only improve their looks, but it will also give you a reason to inspect them for any foundational damages.
 
Start by vacuuming up any debris, such as cobwebs.  Next, use a sponge with a cleaner to scrub the grime off the frame.
 
To clean the external frame, use a semi-course brush to remove anything that is stuck to them. This may require more intense scrubbing as this part is more exposed to the elements and can build up things like bird droppings.
 
If you have trouble opening and closing them, this can be due to a build-up of grime on the tracks. This, however, is an easy fix that requires vacuuming the dirt and applying a sponge to remove the more difficult elements. If things are challenging, use a mild detergent.  Make sure to inspect the tracks for any cracks or erosion.  These are inexpensive and simple to replace.

​Extra Steps Beyond Window Cleaning
Make sure to keep them painted.  This adds to the resale value of your house and looks better overall.
Another good addition is weather stripping.  This reduces leaking and can save you energy costs.
 
It’s smart to lubricate your windows after you clean them. This keeps everything functioning well and reduces the chance of breaks and cracks when you operate them. 
 

 

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