Pre-Holiday Window Cleaning Tips And Tricks For Coachella Valley and Inland Empire Homeowners.

The busy season is here in Palm Springs, California is just around the corner, which means that it will soon be time for holiday preparation. Removing accumulated pollution, dirt, grime, bird droppings and hard water stains from the windows may seem like a tedious and time-consuming task. The holiday season doesn’t have to be stressful, so here are a few helpful tricks that will give your windows that flawless shine.

When is the Best Time to Clean Your Windows?

Try to anticipate the warm, sunny, weather in Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, and La Quinta will receive. It’s best to begin window cleaning, solar panel cleaning, or gutter cleaning in the morning. Keep an eye on the weather forecast for a cool, cloudy day. If you choose to wash your windows on a sunny day, you risk having your window cleaning solution evaporating quickly. The sunshine also hides dirty spots and causes additional streaking. This is another frequently encountered problem. If you have no other option and you must clean your windows on a sunny day, you can start from the windows that are facing the shade. Alternatively, you can wash your windows early in the morning, before the sun has reached its peak.

What is a Good Window Cleaning Mixture?

There are different cleaning solution formulas. However, the best ones use natural and eco-friendly materials, such as vinegar and ammonia. Natural materials can help you remove streaks while cleaning your windows. If you have never used vinegar and water to clean windows but you want to make your own homemade window cleaning solution, here are a few recipes:

• • The simple water and white vinegar combination

The most basic cleaning solution recipe uses dish soap, vinegar, and water. Just add two tablespoons of white vinegar into a bucket of warm water and a tablespoon of Dawn or a similar detergent. If you want to make the mixture stronger, you can add a teaspoon of trisodium phosphate.

• • Adding a little something into the mix

Another common recipe for a homemade solution is the combination of 2 cups of water, ¼ cup vinegar, 3 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol, and ½ teaspoon dish detergent. Keep in mind not to create too many soap suds, because they can leave streaks if allowed to dry.

• • The heavy-duty solution

If you have very dirty windows and you need a stronger formula, then these are for you. One way to get rid of the persistent dirt is to warm up 1 cup of full strength white vinegar and use it directly on the window. Another solution is to mix 2 cups of water, ¼ cup of isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) and vinegar, and add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to prevent streaking.

Cleaning Windows on the Outside

1. This side of your windows is exposed to the elements, it accumulates the best part of the dirt and grime.
2. After you have prepared your homemade cleaning solution, dip the large sponge and wring it out.
3. Rub the soaked sponge on the surface of the window. Don’t forget to scrub the corners and the window frames. Use a stepladder or a extension pole for windows that are hard to reach.
4. Wipe the window with a rubber-bladed squeegee. You can use the top to bottom method or the professional reverse S motion. Be sure to remember which way you used on the outside, so you don’t use it on the interior of the windows.
5. Clean the squeegee with a fresh dry lint-free cotton towel. Use the other lint-free towel to dry the window.
6. If any hard-water stains remain, you can spray them with the washing mixture and leave them for several minutes before rinsing.
7. Use your natural window washing solution to spray the screens, then rinse them with the hose. Be sure to dry the window screens, before replacing them.

Cleaning Windows on the Inside

1. Place a large towel beneath your window sill to soak up any spills.
2. Dust off or vacuum the window frames.
3. Dip the small sponge in your homemade cleaning solution and wring it out.
4. Wash the surface of the windows.Don’t forget to go over the window frames as well. Also, use the opposite cleaning motions to the ones you’ve used on the outside, in order to see if there are any missed spots.
5. Wipe the mixture with the squeegee. Alternatively, you can use a microfiber cloth to wipe off the solution. Avoid using paper towels and newspaper, because these may leave streaks or ink marks on your windows. They also build up a charge, which can attract additional dirt to the windows.
6. Clean the squeegee with a fresh cotton cloth.
7. If the windows are very dirty, you may need to repeat the process.

Health Benefits of Cleaning Your Windows

So why all this fuss? There are several benefits of window cleaning, which include stress-relief, sickness prevention, and increased productivity at work to name a few. Studies show that natural scents, such as the lemon scent, help reduce anxiety levels and improve your sleep. Cleaning the accumulated dust on the interior of the windows also helps with preventing allergies and asthma attacks. Another bonus of window washing is that it encourages a healthy diet and increases your physical activity without you even realizing it.

Don’t feel like cleaning your windows?

No problem, there’s a solution for that problem as well. Pick up the phone and call ShinePro Window Cleaning. We understand your dilemma. Window Cleaning can be a tremendous undertaking. We’re always ready to take care of your window cleaning, solar panel cleaning, and gutter cleaning needs. We service the Palm Springs, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage area, as well as Inland Empire cities like Redlands, Yucaipa, and Beaumont, California. Call today for all your window washing needs!

Brandon Scott, COO of ShinePro Window Cleaning