5 Tips On How to Efficiently Clean Your Windows in Winter

Washing the grime off your windows under the unsympathetic winter sun is neither easy, nor pleasant. But patiently awaiting for spring to arrive is not that great of an alternative, either. In case you are wondering how to clean windows during winter, we’ve shared a few handy tips that you can use to keep water (and yourself) from freezing and retain the transparency of your windows even in the coldest of weather.

Tip #1: Arm Yourself with Proper Equipment

We all know what happens to water when temperatures reach (or even plummet below) zero. In order to avoid covering your windows in a thick coating of ice, you will need: a few minutes of your time, a spray water bottle filled with warm water, and a bit of windshield cleaner to prevent the liquid from freezing as fast.

To make your own detergent, simply mix one part of water with two parts of windshield fluid and shake well. Pay particular attention to the liquid’s temperature – if the water is burning hot instead of lukewarm, the sudden change in temperature could potentially damage the surface of your windows.

With the cleaning solution ready to go, the only tools left for you to acquire are a squeegee for the actual cleaning, some paper towels to deal with streaks on the spot, and a few microfibre cloths for a final polish.

Tip #2: Don’t Forget to Dress Warm!

You may see this tip as irrelevant, but think of it this way – the better you are prepared for the inhospitable conditions outside, the more time you will have to work on your windows. A nice pair of warm boots and waterproof gloves, in addition to a beefy coat, will help you do your job much faster, better and will preserve your good health so you can actually enjoy the results of your noble effort. It’s clearly a win-win for everyone.

Tip #3: Dust Your Windows First

By now you’ve probably already noticed a recurring pattern, namely that cleaning windows in cold weather comes with rigorous preparations. And this next tip is no exception. Just take a quick look at your panes – if you didn’t touch them in weeks, chances are that they are covered in generous amounts of dust and grime.

But if you decide to start cleaning them right away, this semi-frozen layer will quickly melt and turn your windows into one big mess. So, arm yourself with a tad of patience and use a damp cloth to gently wipe away the topmost layer of dirt before proceeding to clean the things that lie underneath.

Tip #4 Clean While the Sun Isn’t Looking

The best advice our window cleaning experts could give you is to clean your windows on an overcast day. Because while beautiful, the sun’s reflections will conceal many otherwise obvious spots and you’ll end up feeling like you’ve wasted all that time for nothing. Once you make sure that the sun is no longer fascinated by your windows, dip your squeegee into your home-made solution and get down to cleaning, starting from either top corner. There – you’re almost done! But before you run back into your cosy home, there’s one more thing you need to do.

Tip #5 Deal with Leftover Streaks as Fast as Possible

Use paper towels to soak in all streaks and spills before they have the chance to land on your frames and sills. The same goes for any splatters or even drops of water on the windows themselves – you definitely do not want to let water take its sweet time and expand upon freezing, potentially cracking the glass. Once your windows are dry, wipe all surfaces with a few microfibre cloths to permanently deal with leftover smudges.