How Clean Windows Enhance Your Home’s Exterior

TL;DR: Clean windows are essential for enhancing your home’s exterior appearance and value. They boost curb appeal, increase natural light, extend window lifespan, improve energy efficiency, and enhance air quality. To achieve sparkling results, gather essential materials, choose a suitable weather day, prepare a cleaning solution, start with the exterior, then clean the interior using a squeegee and microfiber cloth. Don’t forget window frames and tracks. Alternatively, consider hiring professional window cleaning services for optimal results. Regular window maintenance ensures long-term benefits for your home.

 

Clean windows aren’t just a matter of aesthetics; they can significantly impact the overall appearance and value of your home. There are numerous reasons why regular window cleaning is essential, such as increasing the amount of natural light in your home and boosting your property’s curb appeal.

In our comprehensive guide, we’ll explore exactly how clean windows enhance your home’s exterior and provide practical tips for achieving sparkling results. So, let’s get into it!

How Clean Windows Enhance Your Home’s Exterior

When it comes to maintaining your home, window cleaning shouldn’t be overlooked. Dirty windows aren’t just a sore sight that affects the appearance of your property, but they also have several functional implications. Let’s delve into the key reasons why clean windows are essential for enhancing your home’s exterior.

• Boosting Curb Appeal. The first thing a potential buyer sees is the outside of your home; sparkling clean windows can instantly elevate its appearance and create a positive impression.  Even if the rest of your home is well-maintained and visually appealing, dirty windows can make it appear neglected or outdated. 
• Providing Natural Light. Natural light has numerous benefits for both your physical and mental well-being. Increased natural light, which is an obvious benefit of clean windows, brightens up the atmosphere’s insides, reducing the use of artificial light during daytime. The more light your household gets, the better your mood and productivity.
• A Longer Window Lifespan. Over time, dust and dirt accumulate on your windows, potentially causing damage to the window tracks and the surface. A regular cleaning routine can help you avoid the buildup of such debris. Regular window hygiene also provides an opportunity to inspect for any signs of damage or wear and address them before they escalate.
• Improved Energy Efficiency. Any particles or substances covering your windows block sunlight from reaching the inside. Apart from reducing light, this also means less natural heat in your home. It affects how much you use other heating and lighting sources, ultimately impacting your energy costs. Clean windows help you get as much natural light and free heat as possible, reducing your bills in the process.
• Better Air Quality. Your windows affect the inside of your property just as much as they contribute to the exterior. A collection of dirt and debris on the windowsills, frames, and screens allows accumulated particles to be released throughout your home, leading to respiratory issues and allergies. 

 

• Damage Prevention. Dirty windows can directly damage the glass or frames if you don’t address them on time. Some environmental factors, like hard water, can cause corrosion after building up for a while. If that happens, the structural integrity of your windows suffers just as much as the aesthetics of your exterior do.

How to Achieve Sparkling Clean Windows

Now that we understand the importance of clean windows let’s explore some practical steps you can take to achieve sparkling results. Regardless of whether you’re the one conducting the cleaning or will rely on the services of professional window cleaners, the following tips will help you achieve the best possible outcome:

Prepare Essential Materials

Preparing all cleaning materials is the first step toward making your windows sparkle. In general, you’ll need any variation of the following items :

• Bucket
• Squeegee
• Scrubber
• Cleaning solution (whether commercial or homemade is down to personal preference)

Moreover, try gathering additional tools and cleaning solutions fitting for the type of windows you have, such as casement, double-hung, or sliding windows.

Consider the Weather 

Consider the weather conditions when you decide to wash your windows for optimal results. It’s a good idea to refrain from cleaning on particularly sunny days since direct sunlight can cause the cleaning solution to dry too quickly, leading to the formation of leave streaks. A calm, cloudy day with moderate temperature is ideal.

Prepare the Cleaning Solution 

While commercial window cleaning solutions are your best choice you can also prepare your homemade version. An effective and eco-friendly recipe is to combine distilled vinegar with warm water in a 1:10 ratio. You could also simply mix some water with mild dish soap. 

Start With the Exterior

Always start window cleaning on the exterior side of the windows. This allows you to remove any stubborn dirt, debris, or insect residue that may have accumulated on the outside surface. Use a sponge or scrubber dipped in the cleaning solution to gently scrub the glass, paying attention to any filthy areas. Don’t forget the window frames and sills!

Clean the Interior Surface

For the interior, you can use the same method as before, applying the cleaning solution to a sponge or scrubber and gently scrubbing the glass. Pay attention to cleaning the window tracks and sills thoroughly, as these areas tend to accumulate lots of dirt and debris over time.

Use a Squeegee

Try using a squeegee when removing the cleaning solution to achieve streak-free windows. Begin at the top, dragging them down in a straight line. Go from one corner to the other, aiming to overlap the strokes slightly. For a streak-free experience, use a lint-free cloth to wipe the squeegee blade after each pass. 

Dry With a Microfiber Cloth or Newspaper

After using the squeegee, you may notice some remaining moisture on the glass. To remove any excess water and achieve a sparkling finish, use a microfiber cloth or crumpled newspaper to dry the windows. These materials are highly absorbent and will leave the glass streak-free.

Window Frames and Tracks

As presentable and crucial as the glass part of a window is, you can’t skip over window frames and tracks. A vacuum cleaner is more than enough, particularly when using a specialized attachment to remove all the dirt from the tracks. Keeping your window frames and tracks clean prevents dirt from lingering and affecting the functionality of your windows. 

Professional Window Cleaning Services

If you’d rather have professionals take care of window cleaning on your property, then you should look into hiring a professional window cleaning service. They have the expertise, equipment, and methods to achieve the best results, even in the case of hard-to-reach windows.

Conclusion

Once your windows are clean and sparkling, take a moment to appreciate the difference it makes to your home’s exterior. Enjoy the increased natural light, improved views, and enhanced curb appeal. Regular window cleaning not only contributes to the overall aesthetics of your home but also extends the window’s lifespan and improves its functionality. 

From boosting curb appeal and increasing natural light to extending window lifespan and improving energy efficiency, you now understand how clean windows enhance your home’s exterior. By following the above-listed cleaning steps and incorporating regular window maintenance into your routine, you can enjoy the full advantages of clean, sparkling windows. 

Alternatively, you can leave it all up to Certified Softwash by giving us a call to schedule specialized softwashing services. Let us treat your windows with professional care!