In Chicago, summertime can be a particularly difficult season for keeping windows in tip-top shape. Our Midwestern climate’s occasional rain showers, heavy pollen floating through the air, and falling tree sap are notorious for causing damage to older, hard-to-maintain window products.
As a leading Chicago window company dedicated to helping Chicago homeowners enjoy better, more beautiful windows, WindowWorks knows the obstacles that our customers face keeping their windows clean throughout the year. Learn how you can keep up your windows over the summer months with these helpful tips for your home, courtesy of our team of installation experts at WindowWorks.
The Benefits of Clean Windows
There’s no denying the fact that crystal-clear, sparkling clean windows will enhance the beauty and value of your home, adding natural light in the rooms of your house and significant curbside appeal to its exterior. Dirty windows, on the other hand, tend to have the opposite effect on a home’s appearance, which is why keeping them clean and well-maintained is so important.
Because quality windows can save you significant amounts of money on your energy bills, window replacements are certainly worth the investment. Maintaining them and keeping them in excellent condition is essential for protecting that investment, and will certainly impact the overall value of your home over the years.
Using the Right Cleaner
Not all window products require the same amount or type of cleaning products for optimal care and maintenance. Older window products, for example, will need more amounts of strong, heavy-duty cleaning products to remove stubborn spots and stains, especially on the outside of the windows, where pollen and sap are likely to stick. Microfiber cloths, squeegees, and a strip applicator will help you scrub your windows without scratching them.
Newer, high-quality window products like the ones we install at WindowWorks, for example, are much easier to clean and maintain. In most cases, a quick rinse with a simple solution of water and vinegar and a fast swipe with a soft cloth will keep new windows looking impeccable for years.
Know When to Wash
Bright, sunny summer days might seem like the perfect time to get outside and start cleaning your windows, but it’s actually better to stay inside and wait out the heat. Hot days are one of the worst times for window washing, and you’re not likely to get the results you want.
That’s because strong sunlight and hot temperatures will dry your windows before you’ve had the chance to wipe them down properly. The end result is usually a streaky mess of cleaning product, dirt, dust, and residue, and also wasted time. Instead, wait to clean your windows when the sun goes down or in the early morning hours before the temperatures rise.
Dry Your Windows With The Right Materials
The best materials for window wiping will vary depending on whom you ask. Some people love using newspaper to dry their windows, other prefer paper towels, while many more will swear on the powers of microfiber cloth.
While all of these options are fine, our experts at WindowWorks have had the best results with microfiber cloth material for perfect window drying. Absorbent and reusable, it’s what we’ve been using and recommending to our customers for years.
When Windows Can’t Be Cleaned
Glass that is kept in poor condition for extended periods of time, or older window products made with cheaper, less-durable materials will inevitably become more susceptible to cracks, chips, and other damage. Regular cleaning and maintenance can prolong the life of your windows, but once repairs or replacement becomes necessary, cleaning will do little to improve the appearance and efficiency of your older window materials.
After a certain amount of time, replacement windows are the only solution to older, deteriorating window products. Not only will better, state-of-the-art windows look nicer, they’ll also insulate your home and reduce energy loss—which will save you plenty of money in the long run.
If you’re interested in learning more tips on taking care of your home’s windows, or for information on WindowWorks’ top-rated Chicago window installation services, let us know. Give us a call to speak to one of our agents now, or fill out our online form to schedule a free, in-home quote and personalized consultation for your home improvement project.
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