How To Wash Exterior Windows: 8 Tips To Outdoor Window Cleaning

Do you know that dirty-looking windows can spoil the overall appearance of your home? Just a few spots on the window, and the look is already spoiled. So, I’m here to help you to solve this problem and discover for you how to wash exterior windows. First, clean the window frames with a soft cloth and water, then dry them with another soft cloth. After that, you can start the most crucial thing – washing the windows. To do this, you will need only solutions and particular tools. But why do we do it at all? 

The fact is that the appearance of our windows affects the overall picture of the room. And if they are dirty and stained, the space will not feel clean. So, I recommend you choose the right time and do outside window cleaning. To do this, you need specific tools, for example:

1. a sponge without a hard surface;
2. microfiber cloth;
3. a scraper with a rubber nozzle;
4. a mop brush.

But to get a clean result, you must know when and how to use them. Therefore, you should do outdoor window washing step-by-step:

1. window frame washing;
2. glass washing;
3. window sill washing.

And remember, you should wash the inside of the window first and then the outside. So it will be easier to see where dirt is, and the process will be faster.

8 Best Ways To Clean Outdoor Windows

For good results in window cleaning, you need to know which movements to wash the window, which tools are better, and how to deal with dirt in hard-to-reach places. So, the best way to clean outdoor windows is to follow step-by-step instructions. And to make your exterior window cleaning more effective, I have prepared a plan for you:

1. Remove The Window Screen And Wash Them

If the screens are installed on your window, they must be removed before starting exterior window cleaning. It is because they also collect enough dirt and dust. Therefore, you need to:

1. Unscrew the screens from the windows and put them on something clean;
2. Wipe them with a cloth;
3. Then rinse them with a hose or a well-soaked fabric;
4. Remove all excess water and wipe the surface with a dry cloth;
5. Then leave them outside and let them air dry.

Sometimes there are cases when the window screen is very filthy and has stains. In such cases, use a brush. Thanks to its villi, it will remove even the most prominent grime.

2. Rinse The Window With Water

The next step in window cleaning is to rinse the exterior with running water. But before you do it, close the windows, so there are no drafts. It is so that water does not get into the house. Do the following:

1. If you have a low house, you can speed up the process with a hose. So, turn it on and spray water all over the window from the outside;
2. If your windows are high or the hose does not reach them, you can clean the window with a wet fabric or spray it with a sprayer.

Simply wetting the window with water will help remove all the surface filth, and you will be able to see all the flaws better. Also, for a better result of outside window cleaning, you can turn on higher water pressure in the hose, which will help to avoid persistent dirt on the windows.

3. Make A Solution

For your windows to be clean and transparent, you should make a solution to give you this effect. It is usually made from water and detergent or vinegar and water. For this, you should:

1. Pour a bucket of water and add a teaspoon of liquid soap or a tablespoon of vinegar;
2. After you stir it, you can start outdoor window cleaning. 

You should also know that for better results, you have to use cold water instead of warm because warm dries quickly and can leave behind stains.

4. Start Cleaning

After preparing the solution, you can start outdoor window washing. But before that, decide with which tools you will do it. It can be a rag, microfiber piece, special brush, sponge, or eraser sheets. If you are doing this for the first time or can not decide on the right tool, do the following:

1. Take a piece with soft fibers and lower it into the prepared solution;
2. Wet it well and start wiping the window;
3. Do this from top to bottom along the entire plane of the window and wipe all corners;
4. Do not press hard on the glass because it does not affect the best result of exterior window cleaning.

Soak it in the solution when your rag gets dirty and repeat the same steps. After you see that the window has become more transparent and cleaner, you can proceed to the next stage.

5. Use A Squeegee

The best way to clean outdoor windows is to use a squeegee. Such a tool perfectly cleans the surface of the window and does not leave streaks behind. For this, you need to:

1. Start wiping the window from the top corner to the bottom;
2. Run the squeegee flat on the glass, and if you notice how the window becomes cleaner after it, you are doing everything right;
3. Next, turn it over and do exterior window cleaning horizontally;
4. Do this in S-shaped movements;
5. Try to wash the window in hard-to-reach places.

When you notice no solution left on the glass, and it is transparent, you can finish with the squeegee and move on.

6. Spray The Windows With Window Cleaner

Of course, wiping the windows with a squeegee might be enough, and you can be done with it. But if you want to fix the cleanliness of your windows and make outdoor window washing more effective, use a special cleaner. After that, follow these steps:

1. Buy a window cleaner according to the contamination of your glass;
2. Do not skimp on this, and choose a high-quality spray tested by others;
3. When you start using, spray the entire window and let it soak in;
4. After 5-7 minutes, wipe it with a cloth.

Thanks to their chemical properties, such sprays remove dirt on the surface of the window, which is invisible to us. And they are also able to form a hidden protective layer on the glass, which will help your windows avoid rapid contamination.

7. Wipe With A Microfiber Cloth

After the window cleaning, you need to make the exterior windows dry. I recommend using a microfiber fabric for good effect. It copes best with dirt and does not harm the glass of your window. For this, you need:

1. Take a dry microfiber cloth and wipe the moisture on the surface of the glass;
2. Do this in S-shaped movements from the bottom to the top;
3. Do not forget to wipe the water in the corners of the window.

A microfiber cloth is effective for outside window washing because it is soft, so it will not scratch your window. Therefore, once your window is entirely wiped by it, you will see it as spotless.

8. Put The Screens Back

And the last step of outdoor window washing is to put the screens back. You can return them to the windows only when they are dry and dust-free. For this, complete the following:

1. Wipe it with a cloth before installation;
2. Take all the necessary tools and screw the screens back.

Just two simple steps and the appearance of your windows will improve significantly. Washed windows always complete the house’s cleanliness, both inside and outside. However, you should also not forget the screens, so install them when they are dry and clean.

Summary

So, as you can see, the process of outdoor window cleaning is not complicated and even enjoyable. We recommend doing it at least once every six months. It will help you keep your windows looking clean, and you won’t face heavy dirt every time you clean them. Also, do not forget about the correct use of agents and tools. Their proper use is the key to perfect cleanliness.

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