Cleaning your windows is probably one of the easiest ways you can make your home look fresh and revived. Cloudy, dusty, and dirty windows are not only ugly to look at, but they also ruin the rest of your home’s appeal inside and out. Set aside one cloudy day for cleaning your windows since direct sunlight will dry up your solution before your can polish the glass properly.

1. Mix up Your Solution:

We’ve scoured the web and came across a lot of homemade cleaning solutions. Most of them aren’t effective and not even tried and tested! We found this popular cleaning solution that pinners swear by:

• ½ Gallon warm water
• 1 Tbsp liquid Jet Dry
• 2-3 Tbsp liquid laundry detergent or dish washing soap

2. Combine the Ingredients

Mix up all these ingredients in a bucket. Hose down your windows and wipe or brush on the solution. Immediately hose it off and your done!

 Tips:

Use Horizontal and Vertical Strokes

– Wash one side of the window with your solution using horizontal strokes and the other side with vertical strokes. This way you can diminish any streaks.

Diminish Streaks with a Squeegee

– Using the solution above, the water seems to just run off and doesn’t make any marks. If you like, you can wipe them down with a squeegee if you are worried about streaks.

Fix Scratches With Toothpaste

– Scratched glass? No worries polish it up with toothpaste and watch the scratches disappear!  Toothpaste is also an ingenious way of polishing up your car headlights, scratched sunglasses, your table’s glass top and even glassware! It’s also a good way to save bucks on those expensive scratch erasing solutions.

Polish Windows with Newspaper

– Anyone has newspaper lying around so why not? Take some old newspaper, crumple it up and polish your windows for extra shine. Polishing with newspaper leaves a film that makes your windows resistant to dirt and repels it.

Wipe up Drips From Your Cleaning Solutions

– Cleaning solutions will make your windows sparkle but can damage your woodwork. Don’t let the cleaners drip on your windowsill or on your window frame since they can strip paint or varnish. If you have sash windows especially like the ones from Bygone Windows, you really want to ensure to keep this in mind to prolong their lifetime.

When you’re busy cleaning, a cleaning tote is your best friend. All the supplies you need are right by your side, and you can carry it around with you wherever you go. A plastic bucket or tray can hold your tools and cleaning solutions and help you clean it right and quickly. But, what to put inside? Here are the top tools that you’ll need:

1. Cleaning apron – An apron will protect your clothing, and it has pockets to hold spare garbage bags, and other small items. Choose one that is machine-washable.

2. Rubber gloves – It’s important to protect your hands from harsh chemicals, as they can dry out your skin. Get yourself a good-quality pair that will last you a while.

3. Cleaning cloths – Use cleaning cloths to wipe things dry, polish mirrors, and remove fingermarks.

4. Scrubbing sponge – This sponge has a abrasive side and an absorbent side. Use the abrasive side to scrub stubborn grime, and use the absorbent side to pick up liquids.

5. Toothbrush – A toothbrush is great for tiny spaces. Use a firm-bristle toothbrush around sink fixtures, rims, and other tight corners.

6. Spray bottle – Adjustable spray bottles make it easy and quick to apply cleaner to windows, mirrors, and other surfaces. Label your bottles so you know which ones to use.

7. Tile brush – A tile brush cleans tiles, ceramic fixtures, and bathtub surrounds. The bristles reach into corners to tackle tough jobs, and the handle keeps your hands away from the cleaning solution.

8. Squeegee – This is for windows, mirrors, and glass. A rubber-bladed squeegee removes cleaning solution and dirt in one swipe. Remember to wipe the blade with a cloth between strokes.

9. Squirt bottle – Cleaners work best when they’re applied evenly. Use a funnel to put your cleaner into the bottle.

10. Scraper – A metal or plastic scraper works well in removing dried-up gunk. Keep it in your apron pocket to keep it at hand.

Photos: Great Useful Stuff, Gallery Hip, ASJ Cleaning, Woman’s Day.