7 Common Window Maintenance Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Did you know that glass goes back as far as 3,000 years in human history?
Glass is one of the few human inventions that we still use to this day. It’s a cheap material, easy to make, but has limitless options for usability–such as windows. But for all the useful things we can do with it, it’s incredibly fragile and needs the right kind of treatment.
Common window maintenance mistakes often result in windows that don’t look good or don’t last as long. Chances are that you make these everyday mistakes when cleaning or maintaining your windows.
Not to worry, we’re here to help you make it right. Keep reading as we discuss the 7 common window mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Common Window Maintenance Mistakes: Using a Pressure Washer to Clean Your Windows
Pressure washers are awesome since they allow you to do a deep clean for very cheap. You can purchase a decent pressure washer for under $100 that will do just about any job you need.
A pressure washer risks cracked window glass, and even when it doesn’t, it can introduce tiny scratches to the surface. These scratches may not become noticeable until much later. This is because the high pressure drives grit and grim across the window, which creates furrows in the glass.
Further, you shouldn’t power wash any walls that are near a window. The same thing will happen, with the pressurized grit scratching the delicate glass.
Wash your windows with a window cleaning solution and a soft microfiber cloth. Hose it off beforehand if there is a lot of dust and grime. See this window drain service to collect any excess water.
2. Cleaning Only With Harsh Chemicals
You may have become accustomed to using a particularly strong brand of cleaner. This may be concentrated for a better smell and increased cleaning power. While these cleaners leave no stone unturned, that mega-clean result comes with a cost.
For starters, there are layers of sealant and UV protection on your window. These layers are resilient against water and regular cleaning solution, but not chemicals meant for other surfaces.
Using these cleaners will slowly degrade the surface of the window over time. You may be repairing house windows sooner than you would like as a result.
Instead, use some standard window-approved cleaner. Manufacturers formulate this stuff to give the best clean without damaging the glass. Look for options that protect those layers if possible.
3. Cleaning on a Sunny Day
No Saturday is complete without a full-house cleaning. The sun is out, and it never feels better to get outside and do some organizing. However, save window cleaning for later.
The problem with cleaning in the sun is that the window cleaning solution dries out extra fast. This leaves those ugly streaks that require more cleaning solution to get out. You may have to give it multiple passes with a damp rag before all those streaks disappear.
Clean in the early morning or later afternoon when the sun isn’t so strong. You’ll get fewer streaks, and your windows will never look better.
4. Using Diluted Window Cleaning Supplies
To save money on window maintenance costs, you might use diluted cleaner. You purchase a full bottle, then split it into two full bottles.
This might save money in the short term, but it’s a lot like saving money by diluting soap. Less agent means your windows don’t get as clean, and you’ll use more as a result.
Use the full window cleaner without diluting it. At the end of the day, there are more effective ways to save money.
5. Covering Your Windows Completely
Because of the temperature difference in summer and winter, condensation will form. Condensation gives the moisture that mold needs to grow. This condensation and mold have the perfect breeding ground on a window that is completely sealed off by blinds.
This is especially the case with full blinds that don’t have any spaces between them. Unless you have a drafty room, that condensation has nowhere else to go.
Leave a small space at the bottom of the window open. This will allow the condensation to dry, and the window to stay mold-free.
6. Failing to Lock Windows When You Close Them
You may close your windows, but not engage the lock. While it may seem closed all the way, there’s a problem here: moisture. The seals that keep the window fully shut won’t get the pressure they need to keep moisture out.
Just as above, moisture is bad news for your windows. It foments the growth of all kinds of nasty mildew and bacteria. This stuff can get inside the tiny crevices, making your cleaning job a lot harder.
Always lock your windows when you close them. Otherwise, you’ll get a lot of mold and mildew that requires removing the window from its frame to get at it.
7. Leaving Windows Dirty for a Long Time
There’s a lot of dust in the air, especially from nearby streets and construction sites. All of this drifts down and coats your windows.
This mixture of dirt and grit can build up into a thick layer on the surface of your windows. This can make cleaning more difficult and result in deeper grooves and scratches than normal when you apply pressure with a rag.
It’s essential to clean your windows on a regular basis. Once a week should be more than enough. Cleaning once every two weeks or every month gives that dust too much time to build up.
Clean Your Windows Right Today
These common window maintenance mistakes can shorten the lifespan of your windows. Not only will they not last as long, but they’ll look worse too. Take good care of your windows with the above tips and you’ll make sure your home is always looking great.
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