Whether you’re maintaining a home or a commercial building, there are a few things you can do to help keep your windows streak- and smudge-free between visits from a professional window cleaner. Consider the following tips:
• Hire a high-quality cleaning company. The cleaner your contractor can get your windows, the longer you can wait between cleaning visits. Insist that the window washing contractor you hire uses top-notch cleaning methods along with the best cleaning products and tools.
• Don’t hire a window washer who uses towels or rags to wash and dry windows. Towels, rags and cloths leave fibers (unless they’re specialty glass-cleaning cloths) that can make windows look dirty. Look for a cleaning company that uses squeegees and other professional tools.
• Determine what cleaning solution your window washing company uses. Some detergents and cleaning solutions help glass windows repel dirt, dust, smudges, water spots and fingerprints better than others. Ask your window cleaning company to use a solution that’s made from vinegar or ammonia and water, or a similar mixture that doesn’t leave residue and repels dirt rather than attracting it.
• If possible, schedule your window cleaning appointment for early morning or evening. Spots and streaks develop when the sun dries the cleaning solution before it’s completely rinsed and removed. You can often avoid sun-related streaks and spots by having your windows cleaned when they’re not in the full glare of the sun or during the hottest part of the day.
• Apply a barrier to your window glass. Some window washers will apply a glass sealant that keeps windows clean for up to six months. This barrier may be as simple as a coating of carnauba wax that’s carefully buffed away to help your windows shed water and dirt, or it can be an industrial product like Star Barrier that’s mixed into rinse water and leaves behind a protective polymer coating.
• Regularly dust the inside of your home. Dust can collect on glass windows, making them appear filmy and dirty. The less dust that collects on your windows, the more time you can wait in between cleanings.
• Invest in insulated windows and keep your home ventilated. Condensation can leave water spots and attract dirt and other debris to your windows.
