The day your replacement windows are installed in your San Diego home is a great day! Your windows and screens are sparkling clean, making the entire exterior of your house look newer and more updated.
You undoubtedly want to keep your windows looking this way, so in this blog post, we’ll share some tips for cleaning your windows and screens to achieve the best possible results while preventing damage.
Supplies Needed for Cleaning Your Replacement Windows in San Diego
Before you get started, it’s important to make sure you have all the proper supplies on hand. You probably already have some of them, but you may need to purchase a few items to do the job right. Here are the supplies we recommend:
- Bucket
- Good-quality squeegee
- Scrubber or microfiber washer
- Extension pole
- Microfiber cloths (at least two, but more is better)
- Spray bottle
- Cleaning solution
- Ladder (if you have second-story windows and your extension pole won’t reach them)
- Hose with a spray nozzle
We highly recommend buying the best squeegee you can afford. It will make a huge difference in the final outcome. Commercial-grade (also called industrial-grade) squeegees are often far superior to those marketed to homeowners. You should also choose one that can be attached to an extension pole.
As for scrubbers, select one that can be attached to the same extension pole you’ll use for your squeegee. Avoid scrubbers with very stiff bristles, as they can scratch the glass. Another option is a gentle microfiber washer that can be tossed into the washing machine after use.
When it comes to a cleaning solution, keep it simple. There’s no need to purchase expensive window-cleaning products. Instead, use a bucket of warm water mixed with a few drops of dish soap, or a solution of approximately 30% white vinegar and 70% warm water. This same mixture can be added to your spray bottle when it’s time to clean the interior glass.
What NOT to Use on Your Replacement Windows
We already mentioned avoiding scrubbers with stiff bristles, but you should also stay away from other abrasive materials, such as steel wool, the scrubby side of a sponge, or any other abrasive pad. These products can scratch the glass and immediately diminish that “new window” appearance.
Never use items such as razor blades or putty knives to remove stuck-on debris. If you need to remove paint, caulk, gum, or a similar substance, soften it first with a product like Fantastik or Murphy Oil Soap, then gently rub it away with a microfiber cloth.
Petroleum-based products, including acetone and lacquer thinner, can also damage your windows and should be avoided.
Finally, resist the temptation to use a pressure washer on your windows for a quick cleaning. If you’re using a pressure washer to clean the exterior walls of your home, be especially careful around your windows.
Always choose the gentlest products that will get the job done. This will help keep your replacement windows looking newer for longer.
The Cleaning Process for Replacement Windows
First, remove all the screens from your windows and set them aside. (We’ll discuss how to clean them later.) Next, perform an initial light cleaning on all windows using a dry, soft-bristled brush or microfiber cloth to remove dust, cobwebs, and dead insects from the glass and frames.
Then, mix your preferred cleaning solution using the recommendations above. Hot water is ideal, but if you’re filling your bucket from an outdoor hose and only have access to cold water, that’s perfectly fine too.
Dip your scrubber into the bucket and begin cleaning one window at a time, working from top to bottom. Apply as much pressure as needed to remove stubborn dirt and stains. Rinse your scrubber frequently to avoid spreading dirt around, and replace the cleaning solution as needed to keep it relatively free of debris.
Now it’s time to dry the windows with your squeegee. There’s no need to rinse the cleaning solution from the glass first. However, here’s a professional tip many homeowners don’t know: use a microfiber cloth to dry the very top edge of the glass before you begin squeegeeing. This creates a dry starting point and helps prevent streaks.
Place the squeegee at the top of the window and pull it straight down to the bottom. Wipe the blade clean with a microfiber cloth, then repeat the process on the next section of glass.
After you’ve squeegeed the entire window, use a microfiber cloth to wipe away any remaining moisture.
Then move on to the next window. It can be tempting to wash multiple windows first and then return to squeegee them all, but by the time you reach the last window, the cleaning solution may have dried, requiring you to wash it again. While it may seem less efficient, the best approach is usually to wash and dry each window individually.
Cleaning the Screens on Your Replacement Windows
Take all of your screens to a clean, flat surface such as a patio, deck, or driveway. Dip a microfiber cloth into a bucket of warm water mixed with a small amount of dish soap and gently wipe both sides of each screen.
Next, rinse the screens with a hose using a light mist setting. Finally, dry each screen with a clean microfiber cloth.
Washing the Inside Glass
To clean the interior glass, fill a spray bottle with the same cleaning solution you used outside (warm water with dish soap or vinegar). Spray one window at a time, then wipe the glass clean with a dry microfiber cloth.
The Best Time to Wash Your Windows
The best times to wash your windows are early in the morning, just before sunset, or on an overcast day. If possible, avoid cleaning your windows on a hot, sunny day. Direct sunlight can cause the cleaning solution to dry too quickly, making it difficult for the squeegee to remove it completely. This can result in streaks on the glass.
If you can only wash your windows during the hottest part of the day, work in small sections to achieve the best results.
We recommend cleaning your windows at least twice a year. The ideal times are late spring (after most of the rainy weather has passed) and late fall (after the hottest days of the year are behind us).
We hope these instructions and tips are helpful! We want the replacement windows in your San Diego home to look great for many years to come. If you haven’t replaced your windows yet, contact us at BM Windows to schedule a free consultation. We’ll explain the benefits of our replacement windows and provide you with a personalized quote.
