The autumn season is the perfect time to take care of some home exterior clean up jobs before the snow starts falling here in Chicagoland. While we suggest adding cleaning your gutters, spot checking your siding, and even looking at your roofing to your fall to-do list, we also recommend cleaning windows well.
Summer heat and dust can take a toll on your windows, leaving them looking dingy and lackluster. In just a few hours, you can get your windows sparkling again, leaving them ready to take on the cold winds of winter. Here are some of our favorite tips, time-tested by our customers and our staff members.
Soap and Water Does the Trick
You don’t need much when it comes to supplies for a complete window clean. Grab a bucket of warm soapy water, a sponge, a squeegee and a few paper towels. As you gather your supplies, be sure to get the ladder out of your garage if you need it to reach second story windows.
Start With the Hose
Now that you have your supplies, you are ready to go. Your garden hose is a good first step when working outside. Give your windows a good rinse with water from the hose. This takes care of extra dust on the windows and in the surrounding areas of the frame.
Squeegee, Don’t Rub
After your windows have had a nice rinse, it’s time to get the grime with your soapy water. Use your sponge to soap up your windows, but resist the urge to scrub a lot. Too much rubbing just moves the dirt around. Instead, soap up the window and then use your squeegee to eliminate the bubbles and dirt. Take care of any drips with a quick dry from your paper towels.
Head Inside
Once you have completed your chores outside, don’t forget to clean the inside of your windows as well. For the inside job, you can turn to window cleaner and a squeegee for a beautifully clean appearance you (and your guests) will enjoy.
As you clean your windows this month, take time to notice any damage or potential problem areas. Are your windows drafty or do the panes seem foggy? Is there a problem with the frame or did you notice condensation? If any of these ring true for you, it is time to invest in a replacement before winter weather sets in. Give the team at Rusco a call to learn more about your window options, or stop by our office, now located at 1740 International Parkway in Woodridge.