How do you clean high up outside windows?
oceanna
13 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (10)
3katz4me
13 years ago
andersons21
13 years agoRelated Discussions
When do you do your pre-Spring clean-up?
Comments (8)I'm in Sunset zone 17, 25 miles east from SF, so we get a few more 'near-frost' days than the City but it's still very temperate (in the summer we're at the edge of the fog belt). This winter with the wild swings from warm moist rains to dry cold spells, the leaves have barely fallen off the liquidambers yet the magnolia trees are already in full bloom in most places -- normally they flower in mid-January. Last week I just cleaned up the yellowing leaves off the clumping daylilies, only to discover vigorous new growth already pushing up. The ranunculus and freesias have already started putting out lots of growth and they will bloom in another month unless we get a big January chill. The weekend after Thanksgiving was perfect gardening weather -- dry and in the low 60's. I got a head start then on pruning, weeding and planting some container plants I had been holding for the start of the rainy season. With a cottage style garden, I have so many different kinds of plants, cleanup is pretty much year-round. But I figure that's the price of having a garden that stays evergreen and flowers all year-round, too, so it evens out. The REALLY important thing is to remember that this is Sluggo time -- those snails are multiplying even as we type, lol!!!...See MoreHow often do you clean the outside of your windows?
Comments (10)I usually do a full window clean in the spring. I clean the outside, inside, screens and all the inside tracks and such. I use a special window "wooly" and squeegee with a rubber blade (this is important not plastic). Mine are similar to these from Lee Valley linked. I start by removing the screens - put them aside to be cleaned. I have a bucket ready to wash the glass. 1 capful dishwashing liquid & 1/2 cup of vinegar in a 1/2 bucket of water (approx 1 gal). I vacuum all the inside tracks (where the screens go) and then clean them all with a q tip. Spiders get in there and it's kinda' gross. I have casement windows so screens mount inside. I dip my wooly washer in the solution and scrub the window. Work the edges and corners well. For inside the window, I dip the wooly washer and then wring it out and clean the same. I place a towel on the floor inside to catch any stray water. After you've scrubbed the window clean - place the squeegee in the top left corner. Pull down applying light pressure. I wipe the blade after each pass. Keep moving across the window overlapping approx. 1" onto already cleaned glass. You can squeegee top to bottom or left to right - whichever works better for you. I wash my screen with mild detergent (I use Shaklee Basic H2 but I'm sure you could use a small amount of dish soap). I also add a little vinegar. Rinse them off good and allow to dry. I either rinse outside with the hose or in my walk in shower with the hand held shower head. That's my routine. I'd like to clean them in the Fall too but for now, once a year is what I do. Nothing nicer than clean windows :) Here is a link that might be useful: window washing tools...See MoreHigh end 'Professional' Ranges--do you clean those ovens?
Comments (13)We were back and forth on the self clean issue. Seems like some newer ovens we read about are having issues after using self clean. Of course,some work great. In the end we looked at advise here etc. and chose a range more on performance, features and ease of repair if needed. Ours is not a self clean it is a DCS AG 36". We just make a habit of wiping the range and oven down after each use. Oven wise only if needed. Grease can be a bit of a pain, but for the most part it comes up fairly easy with a damp sponge with a dab of soap. So far the only really horrible cleaning job was when I cooked a ham. I like ham with a really crispy skin so I used a semi shallow pan and raised the ham on a rack ham cut side down using convection bake. Ham cooked beautifully, but oven was horrible! Grease had heavily spattered out of the pan etc. and was all over the bottom, sides, door, top and back of the oven. Just incredible the thick grease everywhere! Luckily on the DCS the rack support rails come out as does the bottom of the oven so that made cleaning a bit easier. I cleaned it as best as I could using soap and a pad, but in the end we did have to use some cold oven cleaner as it was just too much and too thick in spots. Just burnt on. Cold oven cleaner cleaned it up like new again! Was pretty simple to use. You just have to not spray the temp probe and lights. So happy with the result as it truly looked awful before. Anyway, was not that much work at all to clean and we didn't have that hours of cleaning cycle smell and heat to deal with. So, lesson for us on the story and choice is that it turned out not to be a big deal. I say choose what you like for cooking features, look, reliablity, warranty etc. and if it ends up having self clean well okay. If it doesn't no big deal. Cheers...See MoreHow do you clean your original windows??
Comments (9)You're supposed to clean them? LOL. My technique involves removing the lower sash so I can clean the outside of them (2nd floor) once a year. The stop bead pulls off, then I can disconnect the sash cord and turn the window inward enough to reach. I can contort myself out and sit on the sill to wash the outside of the upper sash. For my upper front windows I walk out on the porch roof. The triple-track storms are more of a problem to clean, since the white factory-applied finish is very chalky, and smears onto the glass. I try to do windows before x-mas, and again when winter is over. Something to do with the low sun angle shining through filthy windows bothers me, I guess. Casey...See Morecohoss
13 years agooceanna
13 years agoandersons21
13 years ago
kathyg_in_mi
13 years ago
terezosa / terriks
13 years ago
Rusty
13 years agoandersons21
13 years ago
Related Stories
FALL GARDENING7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden
Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax
Full Story
THE HARDWORKING HOMEMudrooms That Really Clean Up
The Hardworking Home: Houzz readers get down and dirty with their ideas for one of the home’s hardest-working rooms
Full Story
HOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Mediterranean Views Star in a Tel Aviv High-Rise
Subtle textures and soft colors inside let the beauty outside have its moment in the sun
Full Story
HOUSEKEEPINGClean Up Your Cleanup Zones
Make chore time more pleasant by tidying up your laundry room and updating cleaning tools
Full Story
HOUSEKEEPINGThe Best Way to Get Your Windows Spotlessly Clean
Learn the pros’ tips and tricks for cleaning windows and getting them streak-free
Full Story
WINDOW TREATMENTSThe Art of the Window: Power Up With Motorized Treatments
We look at 11 spots in your home where automatic shades, screens, curtains and more make sense
Full Story
REMODELING GUIDESSliding Doors: Transition in High Style
Clever Sliding Doors Save Space, Hide Clutter and Amp Up Your Design
Full Story
WOODTry DIY Plywood Flooring for High Gloss, Low Cost
Yup, you heard right. Laid down and shined up, plywood can run with the big flooring boys at an affordable price
Full Story
HOUSEKEEPINGChoose Your Own Spring Cleaning Plan
Instead of trying to do it all, pick one of these six cleaning approaches that’s right for you now
Full Story
KITCHEN OF THE WEEKKitchen of the Week: Colonial Kitchen Opens Up to Scenic Views
A lack of counters and a small sink window motivate a New York couple to update their kitchen to add space for their busy family
Full Story
kathyg_in_mi