Cleaning your windows from inside is a breeze, but considering the logistics of maintaining your exterior windows can seem impossible, especially if you have a multi-story home. Over time, grime dulls the appearance of windows, affecting their curb appeal and lifespan. Luckily, once you decide on the best course of action, cleaning exterior windows is a straightforward task that can restore their luster and help prevent window damage.
Whether you tackle the job yourself or explore new window options, a little care goes a long way toward preserving your investment. Our Gilkey Windows & Exterior Solutions team compiled helpful information and steps to keep your exterior windows looking their best.
The Importance of Caring for Your Exterior Windows
Like most aspects of home ownership, cleaning is essential to keeping windows looking their best. By maintaining your windows, you’ll help keep your home’s curb appeal high and increase the amount of natural light that enters.
Additionally, caring for your exterior windows can help prevent mold and mildew from building up. Dirty windows often hold condensation, which is a breeding ground for these nuisances, especially in humid environments like the Kentucky summers.
How to Clean Your Exterior Windows
First, you’ll want to have the following tools and materials handy:
- Garden hose.
- Squeegee, cloth, and sponge.
- Cleaning solution.
- Bucket.
- Ladder.
- Extension pole.
It’s best to avoid using a pressure washer, as it can damage window seals or even break the glass in some cases. Wear gloves and place your ladder on a stable surface during cleaning.
Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to clean exterior windows:
- Remove debris: Use your hose to remove loose dirt and debris from the windows.
- Apply cleaning solution: Mix your mild detergent with water and gently wash your windows using the sponge.
- Rinse thoroughly: Rinse with clean water to avoid soap residue and streaks.
- Dry the windows: Use the squeegee or cloth to remove excess water to avoid any water marks on the clean windows.
- Handle stubborn stains: For tougher, more embedded stains, apply diluted white vinegar or specialty window cleaners before rinsing again.
- Inspect and repeat: It’s vital to review cleaned areas and address any missed spots as needed.
And there you have it—clean windows! We recommend a good spring cleaning and then another scrub in the fall or whenever it needs it. It’s also helpful to clean the windows on a cooler day so the cleaning solution doesn’t dry as quickly when you’re trying to clean.
Shop Windows Near Lexington, KY
Cleaning exterior windows is a chore, but essential for maintaining a beautiful, reliable pane. At Gilkey Windows & Exterior Solutions, we specialize in providing high-quality vinyl and fiberglass windows and expert advice to help homeowners throughout Central Kentucky enhance and maintain their properties.
Contact us online to discuss your spring home refresh projects with our team. Gilkey Windows & Exterior Solutions is located near Lexington, KY. For over 20 years, we’ve served the window, door, and gutter needs of Central Kentucky, including Frankfort, Georgetown, Paris, Richmond, Versailles, and Winchester, KY.
