How to Clean Windows & Window Screens
Jun 14, 2021Double-hung window cleaning made easy, plus great spring window maintenance tips.
Spring and summer are the perfect times of year to take care of routine window maintenance. Wondering how to to clean tilt-in windows? This is a great benefit of double-hung windows, and we’ll show you how it’s done! Plus get three more tips for making sure your clean windows are in good shape for this season’s beautiful weather.
How to Clean Windows
Cleaning your windows regularly helps remove dirt and debris that may build up, reducing the amount of natural light allowed into your home, and potentially impacting the longevity of your window glass.
Follow these easy dos and don’ts to keep your window glass crystal clear:
- Do use a mild, non-abrasive window cleaning solution when dirt, residue, and other contaminates appear.
- Do dry all cleaning solutions from the window seals, gaskets, and frames.
- Do use a rubber squeegee, cloth, or paper towel to remove cleaning solution.
- Do clean a small window and check that no damage will occur from the solution or tools used.
- Don’t clean tinted or coated glass in direct sunlight.
- Don’t use scrapers or razor blades to clean glass, as they may cause irreparable damage to the glass surface and coatings.
- Don’t use abrasive cleaning solutions or materials on glass.
- Don’t allow dirt and residue to remain on glass surfaces for an extended period of time.
How to Tilt Windows for Cleaning
One of the biggest benefits of double-hung windows is that each sash can be released from the frame and tilted toward the interior of the home. This makes for easy cleaning without going outside or having to balance on a ladder to clean your second-story windows.
In five easy steps, here’s how to open windows to clean outside surfaces of your tilt-in double-hungs:
- Ensure any locks are in the “unlocked” position.
- Starting with the bottom sash, open the window a few inches.
- With the window slightly open, squeeze both tilt latches on the top of the sash toward each other. This will release the sash from the frame and allow you to gently tilt the window inward until it rests in the open position.
- Repeat the same steps for the top sash (the bottom sash must be opened before the top sash can be released from the frame). Begin by lowering the top sash a few inches from the top of the window frame, then squeeze the tilt latches together to tilt the sash inward.
- When you’ve finished cleaning the exterior surfaces, work in reverse order to replace the sashes. Simply tilt the top sash back up and push it forward into the frame until it snaps into place, then fully raise it to close the sash. Repeat with the bottom sash, and you’re all set!
Watch the video here to see the process in action.
3 Spring Window Maintenance Tips
In addition to safely cleaning your window’s glass surfaces, warm weather is the perfect time for some additional easy window maintenance updates.
Remove & Spray Window Screens
Most window screens are designed with tension fittings that allow homeowners to pop them out for cleaning and replace them easily. Do this with each window in your home, spraying down the window screens with a garden hose to remove any grime and debris that built up during the fall and winter. You can clean screens with dishsoap or another mild cleaner if you like, but it’s not necessary.
Wipe Down Window Frames & Tracks
While the screens are removed, its easy to give your window frames and tracks a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth or mild cleaner. Keeping these channels free of dirt and debris helps ensure that the sashes sit securely in the frames and seal tightly when the windows are locked.
Check for Smooth Window Operation
As you work on cleaning your window screens, frames, and tracks, pay close attention to how each of your windows opens and closes. Are the sashes riding smoothly in the tracks? Are they as easy to close as they are to open? Are any of the sashes difficult to move or running off the track? These can all become problems for older windows, or windows in older homes where settling may occur, or walls may become out of square.
Is it time for a window upgrade?
If you’re noticing any problems with your window operation, condensation inside your windows, or drafty windows at any time of year, it might be time for a window replacement. Our quick one-question quiz can help you determine how much life is left in your current windows. Remember – the longer you wait to replace your windows, the more likely you are to lose money from lost energy efficiency.
Improveit’s Performax54 windows come complete with a lifetime warranty that covers labor, broken seals, and glass breakage. Our current customers know that if they find any issues with their windows during these maintenance steps, they can call us for responsive repairs.
Ready to learn more about adding Performax54 windows to your home? Give us a call today at 855-637-2999 – we can’t wait to help you improve your home with confidence!
