“The key to hand washing small windows is the super absorbent microfiber cloth – it cuts down on elbow grease, wipes away most dirt with just water, and leaves no streaks or residue!” … Don Aslett
Lot’s of little squares? Small windows, multi pane windows, and indoor glass all pose a different set of cleaning challenges compared to larger windows where the squeegee is king. In the case of smaller windows, a squeegee can actually be cumbersome to use and difficult to maneuver.
When cleaning smaller areas such as these, a super absorbent, microfiber cloth is a better choice. Why? Because in most cases the microfiber cloth can clean light dirt on glass with just water. This will save you the extra rinsing and drying required when a sudsy detergent or cleaner is used. And microfiber’s high absorbency insures a crystal clear finish. It leaves the surface completely dry, preventing the streaks, haze and residue associated with moisture left behind when cleaning glass.
In cases of extreme dirt and build up on windows, microfiber in combination with a window cleaner or detergent works twice as fast as cotton cloths or paper towels. Microfiber scrubs AND removes the dirt at the same time. Thousands of tiny strands capture and hold dirt while absorbing up to 7 times it’s weight in liquid. Then just rinse the cloth well and start again – saving the expense of disposable cloths and paper towels.
Now that you have the right cloth in hand, read on to learn more “small window” cleaning secrets of the pros!
To soap or not to soap: One big mistake we see many homeowners make is using too much soap in their bucket. We all think that the more soap we use, the cleaner everything will be and that is simply not the case. It doesn’t matter if you’re using dish soap or a professional window cleaner. Less is always more. Excess soap takes more time to rinse and can cause the window to dry much faster and leave a film on the glass.
Use caution on wood frames and window glazing: A spray bottle of water or cleaner is better than using a bucket. The spray bottle controls the amount of cleaner you use and allows you to focus on the area you are cleaning. Remember that window cleaners can pose a threat to woodwork. The less you drip on the windowsill where it can harm paint or varnish, the better.
Invest a quality set of microfiber window cloths: Microfiber comes in a variety of types: scrubbing cloth, drying cloths, and polishing cloths. A good assortment of microfiber cloths is a window cleaner’s best friend. Used dry, a drying cloth can wipe up wet sills and window frames. Used wet, a scrubbing cloth is perfect for washing down small dirty panes, sliding tracks and dirty window frames. You can even wipe your squeegee blade clean between each pass with these handy cloths. And for finishing, a polishing cloth removes any final residue and polishes glass to a crystal clear shine.
Remove stubborn paint, mortar and baked on dirt with a scraper: When necessary, a scraper is an invaluable tool. It’s common to find dried on paint, mortar or adhesive on small windows. To remove these stubborn spots and save your squeegee from the nicks and damage they can cause, use a good quality window scraper. When scraping glass surfaces, scrape in one direction only. At the end of each stroke, lift the razor off the glass surface then start the next section. If you scrape back and forth, debris gets trapped under the blade and scratches the glass.
Do you have high altitude multi pane windows? Buy A Swivel Squeegee Handle: Swivel squeegee handles are an excellent choice for cleaning out of reach, multi pane windows at awkward angles. Sometimes a tree, bush or other obstacle forces you to use an extension pole at an angle and a swivel handle can be adjusted to meet that angle so you can flawlessly squeegee the glass.
The benefits of steam cleaning windows: It’s all about reaching and lifting the dirt so it can be wiped away. The problem with any type of cloth or cleaner is that it can only clean what it can reach. In the case of small, framed windows – the corners and grooves of the window frames can become jammed with dirt and grime that is impossible to just wipe away. A home steam cleaning unit with a soft brush attachment can dislodge embedded dirt and grime from the tiniest cracks and grooves, lifting it from the surface so it can be wiped away with a microfiber cleaning cloth. Pure water and steam are also much more gentle on paint and varnish so are less risky to use than detergents and cleaners.
Still want to give the squeegee a try? Here’s some advice:
Choose the right size tools: To clean smaller multi pane windows with a squeegee, you’ll need a squeegee that fits within the panes. It’s a good idea to have a smaller width squeegee on hand to breeze through your smaller, multi pane windows. We have squeegees as small as 6” wide for those smaller areas.
Washing the small windows and frames all at once: When it’s time to scrub down the smaller pane windows and frames, a handheld sponge usually works best. We recommend our white and yellow scrubbing sponge. Using a preferred window cleaning solution such as our Pill Glass Cleaner, use the sponge to scrub each pane from left to right, top to bottom, working the sponge edges into the corners to loosen the dirt and grime.
Use the squeegee to finish the job: Pull the squeegee down each pane in a single stroke from top to bottom. After each stroke, clean the blade with a dry cloth so it does not hold excess water and leave streaks. As in larger windows, remove any remaining water or moisture at the edges of the glass with a dry, lint free microfiber towel. Be sure to wipe the windowsill and area below the window clean, too.
We hope you find this advice useful to improve the way you clean your small pane windows! Happy Cleaning!
