Beautify Your Windows This Spring and Let the Sun Shine In!

March 19, 2015 Beautiful Your Windows This Spring and Let the Sun Shine In!

When the windows of your house or apartment are clean, shiny and clear, your whole home feels cleaner and fresher! Sometimes people can be intimidated by the idea of washing their own windows, or replacing a screen, particularly if they have large windows or second or third-floor windows. The truth is, the process is much easier and simpler than you might think. It takes roughly 5 minutes to clean a large window, inside and out. And fixing or replacing a worn-out screen? No problem! And you can literally save hundreds of dollars by doing it yourself!

So, read on to learn how you can put some gusto into your spring cleaning this year, and really spruce up the windows in your house. Clear, streak-free windows with intact screens will make your whole house look more beautiful, and there is no time better than spring to take care of this task. The investment of your time and money will be minimal, and the reward will be great!

Washing Windows

Ever wonder how the professional window cleaners do such a great job on windows? Forget about the commercially prepared spray-type window-cleaning formulas, and follow these tips from the pros:

• Throw away the paper towels and newspaper. Rubbing on the glass with paper basically just moves the dirt around.

• Invest in a few quality tools that will last you for many years to come. A professional-quality squeegee from a window-cleaning supply store costs only a bit more than one from a home improvement store. They come in a variety of sizes, from small enough to clean tiny window panes, to very large ones which are perfect for picture windows. You will also want to purchase a natural sea sponge. While more expensive than a regular sponge, a natural sea sponge is long-lasting and holds a lot of liquid, and it is the best for applying the cleaning solution to the window. For larger windows, get yourself a micro-fiber applicator that you can also attach to an extension pole. An extension pole is essential for reaching upper-level windows, if you have them, as you will also be able to use your squeegee with an extension pole.

• The only cleaning solution that you will ever need for windows is household ammonia and white vinegar, a half cup of each for every gallon of water. It is cheap and yields perfect results every time!

Check out our video, “How to Wash Windows Clean with Streak-Free Results” for step by step instructions on how to make the most out of your window washing tools and clean windows quickly, easily and with no stress and very little mess!

Fixing and Replacing Window Screens

For small holes in windows, there are easy-to-use patches available on the market that you can purchase from any home improvement store. These make a decent quick fix, though we only recommend them for very small holes, since you can still see where the repair was made when you use the patch method.

Fortunately, replacing an entire window screen is a very simple process, whether it is a regular size window in your home or a large door screen.

You start by simply removing both the screen itself and the spline (which looks like a rubber gasket) that holds the screen in place. You can pull it out by hand. You then cut the new screen to fit the window or door, and install the new screen and spline with a spline-roller tool (available at any home improvement or hardware store.) And that is it! The entire process should take you about an hour. For complete step-by-step instructions on how to replace a patio door screen, which is also applicable to any window screen, check out our “How to Replace a Patio Door Screen in a Snap” video and the accompanying “How to Replace a Patio Door Screen – Written Instructions.”

There is nothing like being able to look out of clean, clear windows to the world around you, and take full advantage of the sunlight coming in. It will truly make your entire home feel as fresh and new as the spring flowers that are coming up all around you. And you will have the pleasure of knowing that you did it yourself! You can do this!