Caring for your glazing

There’s nothing more satisfying than sitting inside and enjoying a coffee in front of your beautiful picture perfect windows. You’re warm and dry, but still able to enjoy the delights of the view outside.

But wait… What’s that marring your vista? Is it foggy outside?

Standing up and coming closer to inspect, you realise with a guilty pang that it’s not the weather that is grey – it’s your windows.

Smears, dirt, rain marks and more mask your outlook to the world; maybe it’s time to give your glazing some TLC, and get prepared for the visions of spring that has (hopefully) now sprung!

Cleaning Your Glazing

The good news is, cleaning your glazing is not a complicated job, requiring loads of different cleaning products. Of course, like any task there are various ways of accomplishing the job effectively, depending on your personal preferences.

Equipment That Can Be Used For Cleaning Glazing

We’ll start by looking at the range of products and materials you could use to clean your glazing. The top items are necessary – the rest are optional:

• Water – use warm for your own comfort
• Mild detergent – washing up liquid works fine, but be careful not to use much as it will foam too much and leave streaks. You can also use bottled glass cleaner, but mild soapy water does just as well
• A sponge 
• Soft cloth – such as a chamois or microfibre cloth
• Window cleaning squeegee – with a rubber slick
• Extra cloths – or soft rags
• White vinegar – optional, but a cup full in the rinse water can give a streak free finish
• A Steam cleaner – optional, but are growing in popularity, as they offer a quick and efficient solution, and leave your windows gleaming

Do not use

• Caustic or ammonia based products
• Other cleaning products not designed for windows
• Scouring products, such as scouring pads, steel wool, scouring powder

All these products will scratch and damage your glazing

The Basic Cleaning Process

1. Makes sure all dust is removed before you start washing your windows, and any dead flies etc. Use a dustpan and brush and a duster to give the area a good wipe round.
2. Add a few drops of washing up liquid to warm water. Be careful not to add so much that it foams – add more gradually if needed.
3. Wash the glazing with a sponge so that the water coats the whole of the window.
4. Remove the excess water – the best way is with a squeegee. Start at the top and work your way down in an S pattern. Wipe the squeegee clean of water regularly to stop dirty water being moved around.
5. Dampen your chamois and squeeze until nearly dry. Rub over the glass thoroughly to remove the remaining liquid.
6. Dry off the windowsill underneath.

Other Options For Getting Your Windows and Doors Ready For Spring

Adding a cupful to the water is thought to add an extra shine and prevent streaks – try it for yourself and see if it works. Use glass cleaning products as per the instructions on the bottle, but watch out for streaks if you use too much product!

If you have a steam cleaner, experiment with it. Most come with a squeegee and are easy to use – just follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Other advice

Clean your windows twice a year, or more if possible. During spring and autumn, the sun is lower in the sky and tends to show the dirt up more, so this is a great time of year to get in the habit of cleaning.

Clean your windows on a cloudy, but not damp, day. Too much sun dries the windows too quickly, which can result in a streaky finish.

Reap the rewards

Now sit back, pat yourself on the back at a job well-done, and make the most of your handiwork.

Your glass will gleam, your view will be clearer and your halo will shine – Enjoy!