Windows play a pretty big role in our homes, since we use them for looking out of, for giving us light, and for insulating us against inclement weather, and so having them looking clean and gleaming, is something most of us strive for. However, if your home has many windows, and they’re big or tricky to reach, cleaning them can be a bit of a nightmare. Mirrors, on the other hand, are just as important within our homes and equally as prone to getting grubby, but they are usually much easier to clean. That said, getting glass to gleam without looking streaky isn’t always easy to achieve, so here are 5 top tips to give you a helping hand:
- Try to use distilled water
Most people probably don’t realize that the type of water they use for cleaning, can have a different effect on glass, and only distilled water will give you a streak free appearance, since it doesn’t have all the minerals in it that tap water does.
- Don’t forget vinegar
White vinegar can be used to clean many items in the home, and glass is no exception. Vinegar is cost effective and environmentally friendly, so why not try mixing one-part vinegar with one-part distilled water into a spray bottle, and then simply spray it onto your windows and mirrors and wipe it off with a cloth or newspaper.
- If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, try lemons
Another home remedy that you can use to clean windows and mirrors, is to cut a lemon in half and simply rub it over the surface you wish to clean. You may need to use some distilled water to remove the lemon juice or pulp that may be left on the surface, but you’re guaranteed to have sparkling glass with no ill effects on the environment or to your pocket.
- Use newspaper to dry glass
As mentioned in tip number two, newspaper can be used instead of a cloth or paper towel, you should use newspaper, which miraculously wipes clean the glass and absorbs the water, lemon or vinegar, without leaving streaks or pieces of lint behind. You may wish to wear gloves when doing this, as wet newspaper can leave print on your skin.
- Buff away
Most streaks and marks left behind after glass has been cleaned, can be successfully removed with minimal buffing, and using a microfiber cloth should further help to eliminate streaks and grubby marks.
Cleaning your windows and mirrors can be time consuming, but the effect once they have been cleaned is usually worth the effort. However, if you’re busy enough with all your other housework, you could consider using a professional cleaning company to help you get streak free windows and mirrors, and since cleaning is a business for them, they’ll have many techniques to achieve the desired result within the shortest amount of time.