Safe care and cleaning window tips
If you’ve ever found yourself precariously holding onto a ladder while trying to juggle cleaning supplies to make your windows sparkle, you know there’s got to be a better way. To mark National Window Safety Week, Simonton Windows has come up with a list of tips to help keep yourself (and your windows) safe during regular care and cleaning.
Tip #1 Never wash your windows or doors with a high pressure spray. The extreme pressure could crack or destroy caulking around the units. Instead, take time to individually clean the windows. If you have vinyl-framed windows, a soft cloth or ordinary long-handled soft bristle brush and some mild detergent may be all that’s necessary to maintain your windows. Do not use abrasive cleaners that may scratch the frame or glass.
Tip #2 To remove unexpected stains on vinyl windows and door frames (such as bubble gum, felt-tip pens, lipstick, motor oil or top soil), try using Fantastik cleaner. For tougher stains (such as tar, pencil or oil marks) use Soft Scrub. And, if children decide to draw on the windows with crayon, Lestoil can often remove their creative efforts.
Tip #3 When it’s time to replace your windows, order those with a tilt-in feature. With these windows, all cleaning takes place inside the home, so ladders are not necessary. By releasing a safety lock, the window sash can carefully drop (or swing) into the home to make cleaning fast and easy.
Tip #4 – Vacuum around the edges of your weather stripping to remove any dirt build-up. Carefully vacuum your window screens regularly instead of removing them and cleaning with soap and water.
Tip #5 Recycle old, white cotton socks and use them for cleaning window sills and frames. Slip the socks on your hands and you can “feel your way” toward a cleaner window. Try using a light combination of vinegar and water to gain sparkling glass on your windows.
Tip #6 Never insert nails or screws in the interior or exterior of a window frame to hold up holiday decorations or lights. Window frames should never be tampered with or they can lose their ability to function properly. There’s also the chance that something inserted in the frame could compromise the energy efficiency of the window or even puncture the waterproof channel of the frame.
Tip #7 If you have brass hardware on your windows, use a dry, clean, soft cotton cloth in a well ventilated area to remove dust and dirt from the protective lacquer coating on the hardware. Over time, all brass hardware eventually develops tarnish when the protective coating breaks down. When this happens, remove the hardware from the window and use fine steel wool soaked in a light oil or soapy water on the hardware. Restore the clean hardware’s luster with polish and then apply several coatings of a quality automobile wax.
Tip #8 If you do have to use a ladder to gain access to the exterior of your windows for cleaning, work in the buddy system. Always have someone hold the base of the ladder for you and secure it on a level surface. Avoid loose-fitting clothing (which could get stuck in the ladder) and wear close-toed shoes or sneakers. For additional ladder safety tips, visit .
Tip #9 Thoroughly wash the exterior frames of your windows (including the sill that is exposed within your home closest to the screens) twice yearly. Remove any bugs or dirt that may have accumulated.
Tip #10 Over time, dirt may accumulate on window edges and corners. To remove the build-up, use cotton swabs dipped in vinegar. Make sure to thoroughly rinse with water afterwards.