It might not be one of your favourite jobs to do about the house or the office, but you’d be surprised at how much clean windows can make a difference when it comes to letting it light and sun.

Often seen as a chore and something that is very time consuming, cleaning windows is frequently overlooked. But what if you had a few handy tips and a list of equipment to help you get it done effectively?

Cleaning your windows, no matter how big or small, need only be done about twice a year, so it isn’t as disheartening as you first thought! As it doesn’t need doing often, it gives you the perfect excuse to do it to a high standard and commit to putting dedicated time aside to get it done.

Stocking up on equipment

Half the battle is ensuring you have the right equipment to clean your windows to the best of your ability. Whether you clean them all the time or it’s the first time, the equipment you choose to use can have an impact.

Making sure you have everything before you start also means you won’t get half way through and realise you can’t complete the job! Just a few ideas of what you might need include more obvious items such as a bucket and sponge, but there is other window cleaning equipment available such as scrapers and squeegees that will help your efforts.

You may require cloths or rags to help the cleaning process, and even telescopic poles if you have hard to reach windows.

When you should clean your windows?

Despite windows only really needing a proper clean twice a year, the conditions in which you clean them can be important. Preferably a cloudy or dull day would facilitate the process; if you clean your windows on a sunny day, the sunlight could make the windows dry quicker which increases the risk of streaks.

Likewise, avoid cleaning your windows in the rain as this will only hinder your results!

Cleaning windows effectively

Before you start, it may be worth using a microfibre cloth to get rid of any built up dust or dirt, especially if you haven’t cleaned your windows in a while! Make sure you look at the instructions for your detergent or other window cleaning solution and mix it accordingly with water. Try not to use really hot water as this could make your solution evaporate too quickly.

Washing your windows using a sponge or strip applicator is probably the best method, but it can depend on the size of your windows. Bigger windows may be easier with the strip applicator as it can soak up soapy water while getting rid of more dirt, without scratching the glass. Remember, the less suds the better!

Getting rid of excess water

For this particular part of the window cleaning process, a squeegee is incredibly helpful. Investing in a decent squeegee and learning to use it properly could make a huge difference in cleaning your windows. Using it in a reverse S-pattern will give you the best results.

Likewise, you may want to reach for your cloths again as they can be great to use in reaching the edges or corners of your windows!

Remember, when you’ve finished cleaning, you’ll have sparkling windows ready to let in as much light as possible and what’s better than that? For all your window cleaning equipment, take a look at System Hygiene.