13 May Spring Cleaning Your Windows

Spring Cleaning Your Windows

Over time, your window sills and tracks become home to a host of things: pollen, dirt, leaves, bugs, and more.  If left unchecked, this buildup can make it difficult to open your windows and potentially damage the tracks.  It is important to take the time to give your windows a thorough cleaning at least once a year.  Here is what to do.  

Tracks

Start by taking a vacuum hose along your window tracks and vacuum out any large items such as bugs and other debris.  At that point in time, try to loosen any dirt with a rag before you add water, and then vacuum again (if you skip this step, you will just end up with a muddy mess).  Then spray down the tracks with your cleaning agent of choice (be it Clorox or water mixed with vinegar) and wipe down the tracks with a thin object such as a toothbrush (an electric toothbrush works quite well) or a Q-tip.

Blinds or Shades

If you have wooden or vinyl blinds, gently wipe them down with a damp cloth to clean them.  If you have fabric shades, take a vacuum hose and vacuum them, paying special attention to the folds in the fabric.  Some shades can be placed in the washer on a gentle cycle, just check the tag.  If you have curtains, throw those in the washer to clean them and get rid of any dust (if you can — if not, gently hand wash them).