In any room, the cleanliness of each room and its fullness of light depend on the cleanliness of the windows. Despite the fact that windows made of plastic do not require any labor-intensive care, there are still some simple rules that you should know when washing such windows.
The old methods that many are accustomed to will not work in this case. Cleaning windows with soapy water and rubbing with newspapers will take a lot of time and it is unlikely that they will bring exactly the result that you would like to achieve.
When and how often should you wash your windows?
The frequency of window cleaning largely depends on climatic conditions. It is mandatory to clean windows with the onset of spring. After all, over the entire winter period quite a lot of dirt accumulates on them. It is believed that it is no less important to prepare windows for winter, that is, to put the profile and glass in order. Many housewives start general cleaning of the house before the onset of major holidays or any significant events, forgetting that the windows also need to be washed. If they are clean enough, you can simply wipe them down and add a little shine.
Windows in buildings that are located away from noisy highways do not require more frequent cleaning. But, living in large cities with an abundance of dust and various pollutants, washing twice a year may not be enough. In this case, at least superficial cleaning of windows should be more intensive and carried out at least 2 times a month.
It is also important to remember that windows can get dirty not only from the street side, but also from the inside of the room.
In addition, mandatory window washing should be done after special cases, such as, for example, major repairs, cosmetic repairs and various unforeseen circumstances.
Preparation for window washing
In order to be able to do the job well, it is necessary to take care and prepare all the necessary tools in advance:
- glass cleaner;
- soft, non-scratch sponge;
- bowl or basin with warm water;
- cotton cloth;
- detergent;
- comfortable rubber gloves.
If the windows are located in a high-rise building, it is also advisable to get a special mop with various attachments to avoid possible falls from a height.
Initially, before you start cleaning the windows, you should remove flowers and other objects located on the windowsill so that they do not interfere with the process. It is better to remove curtains, drapes and blinds, otherwise it will not be possible to avoid dirt getting on them. It is recommended to lay some old rag on the floor so that dirt and water do not spread throughout the apartment.
If there is no such rag, it can be replaced with old magazines or newspapers. The paper will absorb moisture, preventing dirt from spreading all over the floor.
It is best to place the prepared tools on the windowsill. It is also recommended to wear comfortable clothes with large pockets in which you can put a rag or glass cleaner, so that you do not have to bend over to get them every time you need them.
How to wash plastic windows: procedure
The frame must be cleaned from time to time and accumulated dirt and dust must be removed. Washing plastic windows should begin with cleaning the profile. In this case, it is necessary to use only a soft cloth or sponge, since smooth plastic is very capricious; it absolutely does not tolerate scratching washcloths or harsh handling.
Initially, the frame is washed from the inside, then from the outside. First, you should simply remove all accumulated dust, and then proceed with a thorough cleaning. To ensure long and reliable service of the profile, it is necessary to pay considerable attention to the rubber seal. It should be wiped at least twice, and preferably three times a year, and then coated with silicone oil.
With laminated profiles, concerns often arise that exposure to rain or snow may damage the colored surface. Due to the special structure of the materials and process technology, colored laminate does not require any special or complex methods or additional actions to preserve the color.
Having cleaned the profile, you can move on to washing the main component - the glass. Due to the special design, double-glazed windows must be washed from the outside and inside; dirt and dust do not penetrate between the glasses due to the tightness. Glass must be washed with extreme caution, as it is extremely easy to damage it: just press it with a sharp object or even just rub it with a hard sponge.
It should be remembered that the bulk of dirt and dust is found at the joints of windows, so you need to wash them especially carefully and start from the joints.Afterwards, the glass itself is cleaned. It is very important that all movements are horizontal.
Cleaning glass from the outside seems much more difficult than it actually is. When using a special mop, there will be no fear of falling from a height. All mop movements should be vertical so that all dirt flows down, where it can later be easily removed.
It is also important not to forget about the drainage system: it is necessary to clean it periodically, as over time it can become clogged with fluff, leaves and other debris.
Plastic window cleaners
How to clean your profile
In order to easily wash away stains on the profile, a simple solution with soap and a soft cloth or sponge will be enough. This is an excellent option for the initial stage of cleaning and washing; in the future, you will need to use various cleaners and polishes. It is strictly not recommended to use gasoline, various solvents, acids or acetone to clean the profile. It is also not advisable to use powder or granular cleaners, as they can scratch the plastic. Subsequently, dust and dirt will begin to clog into these scratches, and cleaning it will no longer be so easy.
There are no special restrictions on frame cleaning products: the most important thing is to avoid aggressive drugs. A simple dishwashing detergent is perfect for these purposes. And the best option would be to purchase a kit specially designed for cleaning the profile, which includes a spray cleaner, a tube of silicone grease for the seal and oil for cleaning the fittings.
How to wash glass
The inside of double-glazed windows is not washed very often, and the whole process does not take much effort and time. If the glass is clean enough, you can simply add shine to it. To do this, you need to spray a special product on the windows and then rub them with a window cleaning cloth. For more significant contamination, it is necessary to wet the sponge in the prepared soap solution, be sure to wring it out well so that the water does not run down your hands, and rinse the joints. After this, you can move on to the glass itself. You can use a windshield wiper to drive all the dirt to the bottom, where it is easily accessible.
When finished, you can wipe the glass with a dry cotton cloth. Glass cleaning products can be varied: liquid dish detergent, potassium permanganate solution, laundry soap, or specially designed glass cleaners. To avoid unpleasant stains after water, you should use products containing alcohol.
Usually, the most suitable means for cleaning plastic windows is indicated by the manufacturers of these structures themselves. In addition to standard and familiar cleaners, you can wash windows using the usual means at hand:
- water with a little vinegar can be an excellent solution for tarnished glass;
- Simply wiping with raw potatoes helps clean the window quite effectively;
- To add shine, you can use water with starch.
Useful tricks for keeping windows clean
There are some unusual recommendations that help keep glass clean:
- in order to prevent dirt from sticking to the glass for as long as possible, after washing, you can wipe it with a solution of water with ammonia and the addition of glycerin;
- to repel annoying flies that pollute windows, simply wipe them with vinegar;
- to give the glass a pleasant blue, you can use dry ultramarine, and a greenish tint can be easily achieved using a solution of copper sulfate;
- if trouble occurs and a small crack forms on the glass, it can be hidden by covering it with a simple colorless varnish.
With sufficient attention and proper care of a plastic window, it can serve for a long time, preserving all the beauty of its original appearance.
