With Spring coming rapidly, it’s as good a time as any to ponder giving your home a thorough clean. Dust of the cobwebs following a long winter to give your home the sparkle it deserves ready for, and let’s all be positive here for that summer sunshine.

In the past month ‘spring cleaning checklist’ has gone up by 467% on online searches, so it’s got to be time to get window cleaning ticked off your to-do list. Thank fully premium window and door designer, The Residence Collection has shared kindly their tips and tricks on getting your windows gleaming.

Why is spring a good time to clean your windows?

Springtime is a good time to clean your windows as the heat combined sunlight of summer can prematurely dry windows and lead to streaking, whereas spring has milder weather with less intense sunlight that helps avoid this problem. Furthermore, clean your windows now, and they’ll be clean and sparkling ready for the summer sunshine.

You should try to clean your windows at least a couple of times a year. Residing in Devon and Cornwall we live close to the coastline, where salt exposure is high, furthermore if you live in Plymouth, Exeter, or Truro close to busy roads and traffic, you might need to clean them more frequently.

What will I need to clean my windows?

The good news is that you will not require lot of products for gleaming windows. The following items are all you need to restore your windows back to their shiniest best:

• Warm, soapy water
• Towel
• Rubber-bladed squeegee
• Clean, dry brush
• Soft, clean cloth
• Glass cleaning product or distilled vinegar
• Light machine oil

There are a few products that contain dangerous chemicals and microorganisms that can irritate the skin as well as the windows themselves. It’s advisable to avoid these products

• Ammonia-based cleaners
• Abrasive sponges
• Toxic, chemical heavy products
• Newspaper (it’s an old trick – but remember ink can smear glass)

Remember before cleaning your windows

No less than 10 storms have battered the UK over the last six months, and even though windows are mostly robust, adverse weather can reduce the life expectancy of your windows. So, before you start your window spring clean remember to check if there has been any damage to the window frames, glazing, seals, and cills.

Examine the functionality of your windows as if your windows are sticking, or you’re experiencing condensation or you been feeling a draft coming through over the winter, it’s probably time to consider extra maintenance or replacements. Remember to lubricate hinges, locking mechanisms and handles using light machine oil, but only if you want your windows to last longer!!

How to clean your windows internally

• Before you start cleaning make sure you prepare the area around your windows by removing curtains, blinds, ornaments and any close by furniture.
• Loosen any cobwebs or dirt that might have formed behind your window dressings with a clean, dry brush.
• Use hot, soapy water and clean cloth to remove any area that have accumulated mould. Please avoid harsh, strong-smelling substances unless you are ventilating, but if the mould is not budging go for something like distilled vinegar.
• Clean the Frames before glazing using soapy water, use a soft, clean cloth to thoroughly wipe down your frames as well as the internal cills. Remember to dry your frames with a second clean cloth to remove any excess water.
• Perfectly clean glass can be difficult to achieve without implementing the right method and using the correct tools, but firstly to avoid scratches, remove your jewellery then dust away any dirt. Apply glass cleaner or distilled vinegar to the glass then use a squeegee or clean cloth to wipe clean. To avoid streaks, use steady strokes from top to bottom.
• Don’t forget your hardware – Once the frames and glass are sparkling clean, don’t forget to dust and wipe down your window handles with a soft, clean cloth.

How to Clean your Windows

• Before tackling the frames and the glass, make sure to remove any dirt and debris that has clung to the windows over the winter by hosing them down. This can be in association with a small brush or if your hose has strong pressure.
• The same as internally tackle your frames and cills first. As you are working outdoors, stronger cleaning products can be used, but try to avoid those that are high chemicals to avoid damage. Best advice is to use hot soapy water to wipe down your frames.
• Repeat the same method as above for streak free glass
• As you know the UK Weather can be a tad temperamental so remember to dry your window frames and glass completely with a dry cloth to complete your cleaning. This will help you to eliminate streaks and remove any remaining cleaning product which could become greasy when mixed with rainwater.

Comment from Jo Trotman, Marketing Manager at the premium window and door designer The Residence Collection: “Cleaning windows can be a laborious task that people avoid due to the time commitment, but with windows lasting between 15 to 20 years it’s important to maintain them through regular cleaning.

“By just committing to using these tips to clean internally and externally in the spring and autumn you will ensure the functionality of your windows remains for years to come. Plus, with this regular cleaning you will be able to spot the need for repair.”

We hope that this has given you some inspiration to get the Spring clean underway and if you find yourself in need of replacing your windows this year then you remember to ‘Make us 1 of your 3 Quotes’ and find out why we are so highly recommended.