Tips on Cleaning your Windows in Winter
With the clocks going back, the days getting shorter, and weather warnings of wind and rain littering the country, there’s no doubt that winter has well and truly set in. With the cold weather here to stay for a good few months, I’m sure you’re already dreading some of the truly horrid jobs that need doing outside over the winter. Jobs such as raking leaves, scraping ice off the car, shovelling snow off the driveway, and also cleaning your windows.
Unless you have a window cleaner hired to do it for you (lucky you!), this is one of those chores that seem so much easier when the sun is out. When it’s wet and windy outside you can think of nothing worse than getting up a ladder and making them shiny again. But there are some special considerations you might need to think about before climbing up that ladder.
Wait for the best weather
Although it’s difficult to call a day ‘warm’ at this time of year, it’s best to pick a day that is the warmer side of freezing. During the winter months, the UK gets more than it’s fair share of wet and windy weather. Both heavy wind and rain are particularly hazardous if you’re outside cleaning windows. Therefore it’s best to wait until there is no more than a gentle breeze and a light drizzle to contend with.
Clean the inside first!
If you’re cleaning both sides of the windows, why not start with the easy bit first. Go round the windows on the inside and make sure they are all clean and streak-free from that side, then you can move on outside.
Dress Appropriately
If it’s cold and wet outside, you’ll definitely need to wrap up warm and make sure you have some waterproof clothing on. It’s also important to take regular breaks to warm up inside if you get too cold. If you’re not wearing waterproof gloves, your hands will get wet, making you vulnerable to frostbite and potentially serious nerve damage.
Careful with the Ladder
If you’re going anywhere near a ladder to wash your windows up high, make sure you wear grippy footwear. Also make sure there is someone else there to hold the ladder so it doesn’t slip. It’s also important to make your ladder steady on the ground.
Use Warm Water
You might think using hot water is the best way to clean the winter sludge off your windows. But in fact using hot water to clean windows in cold weather can lead to a crack in the window. Therefore, use cooler, room-temperature water and a sponge to clean off the dirt.
Use an alcohol-based cleaning solution
Using an alcohol-based cleaning product with the water also helps to remove some of the tougher stains. Some websites also recommend car windscreen washer fluid to clean your windows, as this contains anti-freeze to stop water from freezing whilst you’re cleaning the window. Vinegar is also great as it leaves them smear-free.
The main thing to think about when cleaning your windows outside is safety. You need to make sure you have the right tools for the job; otherwise, you could end up seriously hurting yourself. You may want to get a professional window cleaner to look at cleaning your windows this winter. Alternatively, you can always clean them when the weather gets a bit warmer – it isn’t the end of the world!
If you think your windows aren’t fit for the winter months, you might want to think about updating them. We can help with the fitting of plenty of new windows for your home, just have a look around our website, or contact us and see what we can do for you.