How to a Keep Double Hung Window Clean
There are many variables that you are not in control of that affect how dirty your windows get. Pollution from industrial plants, heavy traffic and living along well-traveled roads all act to leave a layer of dirt on your windows; you simply cannot control those factors. Inside the home, you have dust, smoke from cooking and outdoor contaminants that create dirt on your windows.
Keeping the Outside of Your Double Hung Windows Clean
- Spray/wash the exterior of windows with your preferred window cleaner. If you don't have any, you may mix a tablespoon of water into a quart spray bottle of water. Distilled or filtered water is best. You can also use a power washer, but still remove the water for a sparkling finish.
- Remove cleaner with paper towels, newspaper or a squeegee.
- Treat each window with a layer of Rain-X by following the instructions on the back of the bottle. Rain-X facilitates the run-off of rainwater and deters the sticking of dirt and pollution keeping double hung windows clean longer.
- Do this inside the home during the winter by tilting the windows in.
Keeping the Inside of Your Double Hung Windows Clean
- Vacuum around the window frame and the sashes to remove loose dirt, dust and cobwebs. Do this as part of your regular dusting routine even when not cleaning the windows specifically.
- Use a gentle detergent in warm water and a microfiber cleaning cloth to remove dirt on the inside of the window frame and sashes.
- Spray your favorite window cleaner on the glass. Allow it to set a few minutes if they are really dirty.
- Remove with paper towels or newspaper. Polish with a special glass cleaning cloth until they are shiny. The buffing makes the surface of the glass very smooth so that it deters dirt.