Come to My Window – Part 2
Inside windows:
Cleaning inside windows is much like cleaning mirrors. Again, my method is a bit different from other homemakers. I got much of this from the books Spring Cleaning and Speed Cleaning by Jeff Campbell. These books have excellent, tried and true advice for cleaning quickly and simply.
Equipment:
- Clean cotton cleaning cloths. I use cloth diapers that were purchased years ago at the dollar store. They are flat instead of prefolded. I have also used microfiber cleaning towels, and these work well.
- Window cleaner. I make my own with a small amount of ammonia, alcohol, and water. Vinegar and water also work well for some people. There are a lot of recipes for window cleaner on the Internet. You just have to find what works for you. Maybe because of the types of smudges I get, the ammonia and alcohol seem to clean better for me. I always put blue food coloring in my homemade solution. You don’t need to, but it helps me find which bottle I need when I open my cabinet.
- Vacuum cleaner with hose. To clean out window sills.
- Wide paintbrush. To dust the corners and get any cobwebs.
- Step ladder, if necessary.
I start cleaning my windows by opening back the curtains and vacuuming out the window sill and ledges. Be sure to open the windows at the point to get in the channel under the window. Then brush the corners and edges with the paintbrush.
Starting at the top, spray the window lightly with cleaner and wipe dry with the cleaning cloths. It helps to spray and wipe the top half, then do the bottom half separately, to keep the window cleaner from evaporating. Be sure to keep wiping until the window is completely dry, as streaks are usually caused by leaving areas damp. You will need to change cloths when the first cloth gets too damp to do a good job drying. I can do two or three windows with one cloth, then I need a fresh one.
I hope this helps someone with the dreaded task of window cleaning. If you have the tools you need ready and handy, the job does not take that long.
