Dear Home-Ec 101:
We just moved into an older house and I don’t think anyone has cleaned the windows in years. We had it pressure washed and used Windex but the windows still look covered in grime. Are there any other solutions I can use that will get off the tough dirt.
Signed,
Let The Sunshine In, Please?
Heather says:
Windows initially get grimy due to moisture and dust. The windows develop condensation, dust in the wind adheres to the pane. In the spring pollen joins in the game creating a nice layer of filth. Tree sap? Oh yeah that’s a joy to remove. To add to the fun mineral deposits can form if you have masonry or wire screens. Fun, right?
First use slightly soapy water and a natural bristle brush and a squeegee. Use the brush to gently scrub the glass. Rinse the brush often to ensure no trapped dirt is lurking to create scratches in the glass. If your windows are divided into panes, you may need to cut a squeegee to fit. Wipe the blade between each use and pull straight down to remove the water and avoid streaking. Wipe the blade again to avoid transferring dirt from one pane to the next. If your window is a picture window start in the top corner of your dominant hand and pull straight to the other side, making an S or reverse S turn as needed. Try to keep the squeegee in contact with the glass at all times to avoid streaking.
If the window is near a tree, some of the problem may be tree sap. A product like Oops or Goo Gone may be very helpful.
If this doesn’t greatly improve the situation you may have mineral deposits and it’s time to use Bar Keepers Friend -look on the cleaning aisle near the other scrubbing powders). Be very careful choosing scrubbing powders, some brands are NOT safe for glass which is why I am so fond of BKF. Sprinkle the BKF on a damp rag and gently buff the glass with a back and forth motion. This may be a little time consuming, but is certainly more cost effective than giving up and replacing the windows.
Good luck!
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
When we first bought our 1926 craftsman style bungalow, I tried everything to clean the windows. Nothing worked, they still looked dirty and cloudy. I was ready to give up and have the windows replaced. Someone from the historical society suggested it wasn’t dirt, but mineral etching, fine scratches and pitting that made the windows look that way. At his suggestion, I got a glass restoration kit from the auto parts store. Today our windows are beautiful and I am glad we could save them.
Excellent advice, thanks! You know, if you have glassware that has mineral etching you can use plain white toothpaste to polish it up.
We bought an older home and have just moved in, ourselves. Our windows also look very dirty–however, our problem is that the seals have failed in the double panes. I could wash from now till the cows come home and the cloudy look would never go away.
We are just saving up until we can afford replacements.
I feel for you, Karen. There's a busted seal in one of our kitchen windows, it annoys me to no end and there really is nothing you can do for it. Some people try to sell repair kits, but I've never heard reliable feedback.
Wow, thanks. I needed that. But I'm not looking forward to the work frankly. It just needs to be done. Maybe I'll wait until Spring. It's awfully cold out…
I plan on posting a reminder to tackle the windows during the Spring Cleaning Series. Lucky folks in FL and CA aren't bound by the seasons.
I had never thought of using bar keepers friend on windows, but if it doesn't scratch glass it might be worth a shot. Thanks for the tips.