The Magic Way to Clean Your Windows

Tracy — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 12:00:53 +0000

A magic way to clean your windows! “Does such a thing really exist in the real world?” You might be wondering to yourself. Yes, it does, just to assure you. Wands and magical training are not required to get started on this. Dawn Dishwashing soap, Jet Dry, and some warm water are all you need.

I love having a clean house. But, I do not love cleaning. You’d think the house cleans itself! One of my least favorite cleaning tasks is window cleaning. Ten years ago we moved to a larger home. Our kitchen and family room share a long wall with eight full-length windows and a sliding glass door. The living room and entryway have eight full-length windows, and the office has three. That’s a total of 20 full-length windows. (We have a two-story house, I don’t remember the last time I washed the upstairs windows).

I sure do have a love-hate relationship with my windows. When they are clean, I am the happiest and love looking through them to our beautiful front and backyard. I tend to hate them when they are dirty. Can’t even glare at them without some disgust. Since I hate dirty windows, one would assume I clean mine regularly. Wrong. Getting them clean takes what feels like a herculean effort on my part. I usually procrastinate washing them until they are filthy.

Magically Get Your Windows Cleaned

My window cleaning story is an interesting one.

Before knowing this method I will let you in on it shortly, I have tried using other tricks and items. Among them are newspapers and Windex, rubber gloves required to prevent getting ink on all over my hands, a professional cleaning tool with a sponge scrubber, squeegee, and non-lint cleaning cloths. No matter what I tried, it has been a long, tedious process. It always ended up with clean windows with streaks left behind. I was not happy with myself. Let alone my windows.

I finally gave up and decided it was best to ignore the streaks. Because getting perfectly cleaned windows was an impossibility. Then I found this quick, easy non-streak window washing method. And my clean-freak self could not be any happier.

Tools Needed for the Cleaning

For any cleaning to be perfect, you absolutely need the right tools. And they too have to be easily accessible and available at your local store. Good news, for the windows we only need just a few supplies. These are a bucket, a mop, water, Jet Dry, and Dawn dishwashing detergent.

Using this handy cleaning bucket on wheels and microfiber mop (14.75″ 360-degree rotating metal mop) helped keep my actual cleaning time down to just 10 minutes. Which is a great save of time, compared to the long hours I used to waste and end up getting poor results. Using the right tools does make a difference.

Our cleaning tip is not only a time-saver but also saves on costs in the long run. Which is a great plus for this method. Once you buy the supplies, you can use them for long before they get depleted. And you don’t have to use large quantities of them to get your cleaning right.

The Cleaning Process

Believe me, the process is so easy you’ll wish you knew it earlier. It is nothing from the ordinary. Only a cleaning solution (described below) that works magic!

Lemme describe to you how my windows got that sparkle they’d been dying for in ages. The simple steps highlighted below did the trick.

Cleaning Solution

1/2 gallon warm water
1 Tablespoon liquid Jet Dry
2-3 Tablespoons Dawn dishwashing soap
Cleaning bucket
Microfiber mop

Instructions

Mix all ingredients above in a large bucket.
Spray windows down with your hose.
Wipe or brush cleaning solution onto windows, immediately hose off your window.

After getting my supplies, I followed my normal routine. I sprayed my windows, wiped them with the cleaning solution, and then rinsed them down. Those three steps only are what it takes. And I found it hard to believe the spots and streaks would dry without leaving some kind of visible residue.

Fifteen minutes later, I was surprised and thrilled to find perfectly cleaned windows! How long did it take me to clean one full sliding glass door and eight full-length windows? Ten minutes flat.

I was skeptical at first, now I am a believer! I hope you get to say the same thing once done with your cleaning too.

Here is how two of my windows looked after cleaning as they dried.

This window had one large water drip down the middle.

And as for this window, it had a lot of wet spots.

Hacks For Stubborn Stains or Streaks

Some windows tend to need more special attention than normal. So if your first attempt is not successful, don’t give up! Try one or several of the tips below if your first window cleaning does not meet your expectations. ( A heads up: We got some of the tips from our followers)

use more Dawn dishwashing detergent for dirtier windows
using less Dawn dishwashing detergent for cleaner windows
wash your windows in full sunlight
wash your windows when shaded or in indirect sunlight
use cold water instead of warm water

To be honest, a few of my windows needed a little more attention. And using the tricks above, they finally cooperated and gave me the results I was looking for. So just a little patience and yours will get there.

How to use this cleaning method if you have hard water

From what I remember from the science classes I had in school ages ago, we can all agree on something. That hard water contains magnesium and calcium. Thus the water leaves small hard white spots on windows. These white spots most often come from the sprinkler system. And splashes from the kitchen and bathroom sinks.

As time goes on, it can become difficult to remove the spots. If you have a build-up of these white spots and your normal cleaning solution will not remove them, worry not. We have a solution below for you that is in two steps.

Two-Step Solution

First, make sure to remove all dust from the windows. Or else they will become scratched during the cleaning process. Once done with dusting it will be easier to see the white spots.

Second, using a solution of 50% water and 50% vinegar, clean the windows and then rinse them off. The vinegar in your kitchen will just work well so don’t fret much about added expenses.

If the spots are really tough to remove, your best option is to use undiluted vinegar.

Put vinegar in a spray bottle, then spray a large area of the window and clean until clear. Rinse your microfiber cloth until the water runs clean before cleaning the next section of the window. You can also use a small, soft brush if needed. Scrub gently and dab the brush into the vinegar as needed. When the windows are clean, be sure to rinse off all of the vinegar. This will get all your white spots off and you won’t even remember having them as stubborn anymore.

Once you have your white spots removed, use my magic cleaning method for clean window maintenance. You can avoid the white spots from returning and building up from regular cleaning.

That’s it! You are now done. The remaining water will sheet off, leaving clean streak-free windows. You won’t believe your eyes. It’ll be a dream come true for you.

Sparkling Windows at Last

How does it feel to have clean sparkly windows? Sure feels heavenly. Once I am done cleaning, I usually make myself a nice cup of coffee, mocha preferably. As a pat on my back and sit on the porch and admire the good work a grandma was able to do with her windows. I managed to do. You can steal my idea of celebrating yourself after a good cleaning break.

You can turn this activity into a family routine once in a while. I am sure your grandkids would be so excited to learn and indulge in it. And even get to have a backyard water game with the hoses. Sounds fun, right? And when everyone is soaked, a nice hot shower suffices. I always enjoy seeing my grandkids enjoying themselves. While still performing some tasks in the house.

We can’t help but be grateful to 33 Barefoot Lane for the great cleaning idea! Now all you’ve got to do is keep up with the routine you have started. We are so happy we came through for you. Can’t wait to hear how the whole magic window cleaning process goes down for you. Be sure to leave your comments below. We will really appreciate it.

This was so much fun, guys! Now let’s get those windows all cleaned up!

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