15 ways to wash stain-free windows at home

Transparent windows along with sparkling cooking stove and plumbing fixtures - The visiting card of a good hostess. It’s not an easy task to clean windows, especially if you live in an apartment building on a high floor, so many people decide on this only twice a year. It is not surprising that during this time a decent layer of dust has time to settle on the glass, and precipitation leaves stains that take away a huge part of the world. With such pollution still need to be able to cope! "Thermonuclear" store products can come to the rescue, but many housewives prefer less toxic folk methods. We figure out how to wash windows without stains at home in order to get an excellent result that would last a long time.

Basic rules for washing windows

Rain and snow, wind with dust, condensation, tobacco smoke, traces of insects and fingerprints, children's games with paints and felt-tip pens - these are the main causes of window glass pollution. Ideally, windows should be washed every three months. Residents of the first floors may need more frequent cleaning, and perfectionists and pedantic cleanliness lovers can repeat the washing procedure even more often. Regardless of how often you wash the windows, it is better to comply a number of simple rules:

• when is it better to wash the windows? The ideal time for cleaning is a warm, calm and cloudy weather. The fact is that at high temperatures, the detergent will dry too quickly, and you will not have time to wipe it so that there are no stains. The same goes for a windy day. The bright sun will cause glare, which may interfere with a qualitative assessment of the result of washing;
• What is the best way to wash windows? It’s better to start washing windows with the analysis of deposits of things on windowsill, If there are any. Then you can take it off curtains and send them to the wash. Do not forget about jalousie and Mosquito nets. The next step is washing the windowsill and window frames. It is better not to use soda and other abrasive products for these purposes - it can be damaged as plasticso and tree. A soap solution based on washing powder, dishwashing gel or laundry soap is perfect. To enhance the effect, you can add a few drops of ammonia. The frames are thoroughly wiped with soap foam, and then the foam is washed off with water. You can act with a sponge, in the most difficult places you can use its hard part. The main dust and dirt from the windows can be removed with the same soapy water and a sponge, and only after that switch to using the main detergent (purchased or homemade). If you carefully monitor the cleanliness of the windows, then you can immediately use the main tool. It is better to start washing the windows from the inside. When washing plastic windows, special attention is paid to gaskets, drainage holes and metal fittings - a brush may be necessary for high-quality cleaning;
• What tools will be needed? Capacity (basin or bucket) for washing solution and water. You will also need a sponge, a piece of dry cloth or a microfiber cloth (the main thing is that there are no fibers left on the window from the material).It is convenient for many to use a special wiper. It is a fixture with a sponge on one side and a sweep on the other. The handle, as a rule, can be lengthened, so that all hard-to-reach spots can be washed much easier. Of course, a detergent is the main thing that we will need in the fight against stains and dirt. It is best to apply the detergent to the glass using a spray, but you can use a sponge;
• which tool to choose, industrial or home? Shelves in supermarkets and household chemical stores are literally littered with special tools that promise the perfect result in the form of transparent glasses without streaks with minimal effort. Not all means are as effective as the promises of advertising, but many, indeed, do very well with their duties. Not so long ago (many people remember that time well) there was no special chemistry, so the housewives used improvised glass cleaners, and we must admit that the windows in the apartments were no less transparent than now. Folk recipes are the absence of toxic and allergic substances and good savings, because all the components can be found at home. The result will be no worse than with store-based products.

With ready-made tools, everything is clear: you need to make a choice on the basis of reviews or your own intuition, put on glass, wash them and evaluate the result. The selection of products is huge. Folk recipes are a whole storehouse of knowledge. If you are afraid of excess trouble, we hasten to please you: it’s not difficult to prepare a window cleaner at home. As a rule, it is enough to mix several components, and then do the same, as with a store tool.

Note that if soap is used or a composition that requires rinsing, the procedure will be as follows: a solution is applied, the surface is wiped with a sponge, all foam is removed from the top with a screed, the glass is washed with clean water, then you can go through the screed again, and now it is necessary to wipe the glass dry with a rag, paper towels or a newspaper .

No. 1. Newsprint

This is one of oldest and most proven ways, well known to everyone who found the Soviet era. In warm water, add detergent for washing dishes, powder or grated laundry soap. Using a sponge, thoroughly wipe the frames, glass and handles, paying attention to particularly dirty places. Now with clean water and a clean rag, you need to rinse the glass and start wiping them with crumpled newsprint.

The secret of this method is that newsprint absorbs moisture well, and this is what you need when you need to quickly get rid of water and prevent stains. Moreover, paper and a special ink composition give the glass a distinctive shine. This method was so popular and yielded so excellent results that even today some housewives use newsprint along with store tools to achieve the best results.

Note that newspapers are not the only folk remedy intended for rubbing glass to a shine. For these purposes, you can even use nylon tightswhich in efficiency are easily compared to microfiber.

No. 2. a piece of chalk

This method also involves pre-washing glasses with warm soapy water. Then the windows are washed with a solution of chalk or tooth powder (2 tablespoons in 1 liter of water). When the glass dries, you just have to wipe it with a clean, dry cloth and enjoy the result: transparency and the absence of stains are guaranteed.

No. 3. Vinegar

According to this recipe, it’s fashionable to cook multifunctional tool. Firstly, it will save from stains, and, secondly, it will scare away insects, which, recall, make a significant contribution to the process of glass contamination. To prepare the solution, you need to mix a glass of warm water and 50 ml of vinegar.It is most convenient to apply the product on glass with a spray bottle and wipe the window dry with a soft cloth or napkin.

Number 4. Detergent + Vinegar

Mix 0.5 l of water, 70 ml of vinegar and a teaspoon of powder or dish detergent. With the resulting solution, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the windows, wiping off all the impurities, now it remains to rinse the surface with water and wipe everything dry.

No. 5. Lemon or citric acid

Vinegar smell is not popular with everyone, and if you can attribute yourself to this group of people, then vinegar can be replaced with citric acid, which has almost the same properties. In a glass of water, it is necessary to dissolve 50 ml of lemon juice, and then, using a spray bottle, apply the product to the glass and wipe it with a soft dry cloth. The apartment will be pleasant to smell of citruses.

There are also another variation cooking. It is necessary to fill a liter jar with lemon peel (the volume may be different, it all depends on the amount of peel collected) and pour 9% vinegar solution. Let the solution infuse for 1.5-2 weeks, after which it must be filtered. The resulting liquid can be added to water and used to clean windows and floors. It will perfectly remove dirt and disinfect.

No. 6. Ammonia

Liquid ammonia is excellent copes with nicotine filmremoves other impurities and disinfects. True, the smell is not pleasant, so after washing it is necessary to ventilate the room well. It is better to work in a protective mask so as not to damage the airways and not to get poisoned.

To prepare a cleaning solution, you need to mix 2 tbsp. tablespoons of ammonia and 2 cups of water. Then everything is according to the standard scheme: apply to glass and wipe thoroughly. This solution is great for washing. mirrors and crystal glass. To convince you of the effectiveness of the tool, recall that most window cleaning products are based on ammonia.

If the glass is very dirty, then the composition can strengthen with vinegar: in a glass of water you must dissolve 1 tbsp. spoon of ammonia and 1 tbsp. a spoonful of vinegar. Last some recommend replacing technical or formic alcohol. The result will please you.

Number 7. Starch

Surprisingly, starch helps. handle very dusty windows and do without divorces. On its basis, many different folk recipes are built. The simplest is to prepare a solution: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of starch per 1 liter of water. The mixture is applied to glass, wiped with a sponge and left to dry. Then it remains only to wipe with a dry rag, getting rid of starch residues.

A variation of this method is to use raw potato. It must be cut and rubbed with a tuber of glass. When the window dries, we remove the starch residues with microfiber and enjoy the result without a hint of stains.

What is the power of starch? The thing is that glass at first glance is even and smooth. In fact, it is full of dimples and scratches, into which water easily gets, dries and leaves stains. Starch is able to weaken hydrogen bonds, preventing the appearance of stains.

Number 8. Starch + Alcohol + Vinegar

To prepare this product, we need 2 cups of water, 1 tbsp. teaspoon of starch, ¼ cup of industrial alcohol and ¼ cup of vinegar. It is better to first dissolve the starch in warm water, and then add vinegar and alcohol. The mixture is most conveniently prepared directly in the bottle, so that later, using a special nozzle, spray it on the glass. Shake the solution before use. After spraying, wipe it with a paper towel or dry cloth.

No. 9. Potassium permanganate

Potassium permanganate, popularly known as potassium permanganate, is used in various fields. It will also work for washing windows. It is necessary to dissolve a couple of spoons of potassium permanganate in water to get a solution of light pink color.Carefully make sure that all crystals are dissolved - they should not fall on the glass.

No. 10. Salt

Ordinary salt can cope with small contaminants and give the glass a unique shine. To prepare the product, it is enough to dissolve 2 tbsp in a glass of water. tablespoons of salt and wash the resulting solution using microfiber.

No. 11. Soda + Vinegar

This famous and popular in the household pair is useful for washing windows. Great she copes with children's drawings on the windows. In 2 l of water you must dissolve ¼ cup baking soda and 100 ml of vinegar. You can take warm water so that the soda dissolves as soon as possible, since it is important that not a single crystal is left. Soda particles can scratch the glass. The resulting solution is applied to a contaminated surface and the effects of children's creativity are thoroughly wiped with the hard side of the sponge. Then the glass is wiped dry with a paper towel.

No. 12. Bow

Experienced housewives know that onions help a lot. remove traces of flies. With a half of the onion, it is necessary to rub the contaminated places until they are completely cleaned. Then it remains to rinse with water and wipe dry with a newspaper, or use any of the methods described above and below for further cleaning of glasses.

No. 13. Tea

Tea infusion also has good properties to cope with dirt. It is necessary to prepare a cup of strong tea infusion and add to it 3 tbsp. tablespoons of vinegar. It is recommended that this mixture be applied to glass using a spray gun, wiped with a cloth, and then rinse the glass with clean water. At the last stage, you can use the above-mentioned newspapers.

No. 14. Glycerol

This product is not intended for washing, but for pollution prevention, more precisely, to slow it down, which is also important. When the glasses are perfectly washed, I want to keep the result as long as possible, and this composition comes to the rescue, which makes the windows less “attractive” for dust.

The recipe is simple. It is necessary to mix 40 ml of water and 60 ml of glycerin, add 2-3 drops of ammonia, shake the mixture well and wipe the glass with it. In addition, this mixture will be a reliable protection against icing.

Number 15. Corn flour

This tool will also help prevent dust from quickly accumulating on clean glass. To 1 liter of water add 1 tbsp. spoon of flour and rubbed with a glass solution.

How to clean the windows outside?

If the casement windows open towards the apartment, then you can wash the windows outside quite simply using one of the above tools. It will be more difficult if the flaps are deaf or swing open outward. If we are talking about a private house, then the ladder will solve the problem. To wash windows located at a decent height, you can use telescopic wiper. He has a fairly long handle that can be bent at the right angle, reaching the most inaccessible places. Another option is magnetic brush, which consists of two parts: one part with a brush is mounted on the outside, the second on the inside. The magnet allows you to hold the part with the brush and wash the glass in the most remote corners. Convenient, but a little patience will be required from you.

The windows of the ground floor outside can be stained with dried grains of sand. Rough ways to rub the glass to clean the dirt, in this case will not work - you can only scratch the surface. It is best to apply a soap solution to contaminated areas for 10-15 minutes so that the sand grains get wet, then it will be much easier to remove them. Then you can use any method of washing.

How to clean windows after repair?

Of course, it is better to close the windows with paper in advance in order to prevent their pollution, but everyone has the right to make a mistake. Moreover, so many people are mistaken in this matter that many ways have been found to cope with a wide variety of contaminants formed during the repair:

• drops of chalk or lime whitewash perfectly washed off with CIF gel for shiny surfaces;
• acrylic paint can be removed with gasoline or white spirit;
• particles cement phosphoric acid can be removed from the glass, but it is necessary to act very carefully that the substance does not fall on the windowsill;
• residues of masking tape are removed with linseed oil, turpentine, vegetable oil or isopropyl alcohol;
• enamel and nitro enamel are dissolved with acetone;
• handle glass trapped polyurethane foam will help "Solvent 646».

In conclusion

We will not mention professional tools and special napkins - the ubiquitous advertising will do it much better. Note that while washing windows do not forget about your own safety. Wear gloves, and when working with solutions with a pungent odor, take care to protect the respiratory tract. Do not stand on the windowsill - use a stepladder or a stable stool. It is better if someone insures you. Do not use products based on aggressive solvents or abrasive particles. If there are scratches and small cracks on the glass, they can be coated with a clear varnish. And remember that there are self-cleaning windows on sale double glazed windowswhich are far less whimsical to care than ordinary glasses.