Window Cleaning is an industry that provides thousands of jobs across the nation. It’s an involved and detail-oriented job that requires a lot of training to master.
Start by removing window screens and vacuuming or brushing them, then washing them with warm, sudsy water. Dry them thoroughly with a clean, lint-free towel. Contact Martini Exterior Cleaning for professional help.
Frames are designed to showcase art, photos or other works of beauty. Whether made from glass, wood or acrylic, they should be cleaned regularly to maintain their appearance and protect the artwork or photographs within.
Regular cleaning helps remove dirt, dust and smudges that can scratch or dull the surface of the frames. A simple dusting with a feather duster or an anti-static cloth should be enough to keep most picture frames looking great. For more stubborn or oily marks, use a mixture of vinegar and water, or a commercial glass cleaner. If the frame has a wooden finish, you may need to polish it with metal polish that is safe for the specific type of wood. Metal frames can also tarnish over time, if they are not regularly cleaned and buffed. A little silver polish on a soft cloth or towel should get the job done, but be careful not to over buff as this can damage the finish.
If your frames have acrylic glazing, you will need to take extra care to ensure that they do not crack or chip during the cleaning process. Traditional cleaning and dusting methods may damage the acrylic permanently if not used correctly. Always test your cleaners in a small area to ensure they do not have any unintended side effects. Avoid cleaners that are alcohol-based, as these can be damaging to acrylic and other plastics, and they could seep through the glazing and damage the framed artwork or photo.
For wooden frames that have a natural finish, you can try a mix of water and mild dish soap to clean the surface of the frame. If the wood has a glossy finish, you can use standard furniture polish to restore the shine. If the frame has ornate detailing, you can use a toothbrush to clean out the corners and any other hard-to-reach areas. Be sure to dry the frame well after cleaning. Moisture can cause the frame to warp or deteriorate, and it will also prevent the artwork or photograph from being properly positioned in the frame.
Glass
Whether it’s your windows, mirrors, glass desk top or shower doors, clean glass surfaces are key to a pristine home. Keeping your windows and other decorative glass clean can be an uphill battle, but a little persistence can get you to your goal of sparkling glass in no time. Those pesky water stains can be hard to remove, but regular cleaning with the right products can help prevent future problems.
Vinegar
For a quick and effective way to clean glass, mix equal parts white vinegar and distilled water in a spray bottle and apply to the surface of the glass. The vinegar solution will help break down soap scum and mineral deposits, leaving your glass surfaces clean and polished.
Rubbing alcohol can also be used as a glass cleaner. Mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle and apply to your glass surface, wiping it with a lint-free cloth to remove grease, grime and streaks. The rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly and leaves your glass surfaces shiny and clean.
Cotton Swabs
Cloths and squeegees work great for larger surfaces, but for the corners of your windows and recessed mirrors, cotton swabs are perfect. Dunk a cotton swab in your chosen cleaning solution and gently wipe the surface of the glass, being careful not to touch the frame. You can also use a razor blade mounted in a holder to remove stuck-on paint specks, tape labels and other debris from the glass surface. Just be sure to wet the blade before pushing it across the surface of the glass and rinse your blade after each stroke to avoid scratching the surface of the window or mirror.
For best results, be sure to keep a fresh batch of your cleaning solution close at hand and wipe in an overlapping motion, starting at the top and working your way down. Be patient and don’t rush, as streaking can occur if you wipe the surface too much or too quickly. After the final rinse, dry your glass surfaces with a lint-free microfiber cloth to leave them shining and streak free.
Screens
Window screens are unsung heroes, keeping bugs out and fresh air in. But when they get dirty, it can be harder to tell what’s coming in through your windows (besides the occasional maddening buzz of a mosquito). Dirty window screens trap dust, spiderwebs and plant debris, making them hard to see through. They can also let in unhealthy particles like bacteria and mold that can aggravate respiratory problems and lead to musty smells. Fortunately, it’s easy to clean your window screens without taking them out of their frames.
The best time to tackle this job is on a sunny day when your screens can be laid out on a dry towel to dry. Start by using a vacuum with a brush attachment to loosen up any loose dirt, dust or pollen. Then use a cloth to gently wipe each screen, especially around any edges and crevices.
If your screens are still looking a little grimy, give them a bath with a mild soap and water solution. Fill a bucket with a few gallons of warm water and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of liquid all-purpose cleaner or white vinegar (Image 1). Don some rubber gloves, dip your scrubbing brush into the soapy water and scrub away, rinsing your brush frequently in clean water. Be gentle so you don’t stretch or damage the screen. Once the screens are clean, rinse them off with a hose on the lowest pressure setting. If your hose does not have an option for a low spray, rinsing them in the shower is a good substitute.
Once the screen is completely dry, it’s ready to be re-installed in its window frame. Before doing so, be sure to label each screen with masking tape or some other marker so you don’t mix them up when re-installing them in their windows. You may also want to lay each screen out flat on a clean towel and run a vacuum with the brush attachment again to make sure there are no lingering bits of dirt or soap stuck in any corners or crevices.
Blinds
You don’t usually need to take down your blinds for a thorough cleaning, but they do benefit from periodic dusting. Use a duster or microfiber cloth to wipe each slat of your blinds. A microfiber cloth is important because it can physically pick up each speck of dust, while other cloths will just push the dirt around. If you’re struggling with particularly stubborn dust or finger marks, you can also try using a damp non-abrasive sponge or a scrub brush, explains San Angelo.
If you’d like to give your blinds a more thorough clean, add a few drops of grease-fighting dish soap to a sink or tub of warm water and wash each slat of the blinds. Be sure to rinse thoroughly so that there are no suds left behind, then dry each slat by hand before replacing it.
For wood or cellular blinds, you can add vinegar to the water to make a natural, non-toxic cleaner. Test a small section of your blinds first to make sure that the solution is safe, then mix equal parts water and vinegar until you have a liquid that is suitable for washing. Then, dip a clean microfiber cloth into the mixture and wipe down your blinds. Again, be sure to rinse the cloth frequently and work from one end of your window to the other to avoid getting soapy water on any windowsills below your blinds.
If you’re worried about damaging your blinds, you can take them down for a more thorough clean once or twice a year. This may be especially useful for those with vertical blinds, which can be difficult to keep track of as you wipe down each slat. When you’re ready to rehang your blinds, be sure to wipe down the windowsill beneath them as well, which could have collected rogue soap suds or debris.