In a place like Melbourne, known for its four seasons in a day, the weather means window cleaning for apartments needs to happen regularly. Rain and dirt-stained windows spoil any view of this beautiful city we live in and hinder light getting into our homes. Reduced natural sunlight affects the room's lighting ambience and possibly your indoor plants if you have them.
While glass, window frames, screens and seals are incredibly durable, exposure to the elements and not having them cleaned regularly causes them to deteriorate faster.
Exterior window dirt, grime, bird droppings, and buildup of air pollution experienced in cities and urban areas are harder to remove than what accumulates on interior windows. This mean apartment window cleaning should be carried out every three to six months to keep them looking great and ensure they have a long lifespan.
If your owner's corporation arranges window cleaning but you like to do it in between, we’ve got some tips for window cleaning for apartments.
1. Preparation
Think about the window accessibility before you head to the hardware store and buy any DIY apartment window cleaning equipment. Measure the reach of the highest and farthest windows so you know whether anything you buy will be able to get to all the spots on the windowsills.
While you may be able to reach the windows, also think about if you can adequately grip onto any equipment you use. Especially if your windows are quite dirty, you will need to have a firm ability to push, pull and wipe.
2. Pro tip
Check if you have double-pane windows that need to be disassembled and cleaned individually. The warmer months are a better time to clean these as they need to be perfectly dry before they are put back together.
3. Equipment
You don’t necessarily have to spend money on specialised equipment if your apartment windows are within comfortable reaching distance. A flat head mop can do the job quite nicely and of course, a good quality squeegee with an extendable handle. We also recommend using microfibre cloths for achieving a non-scratch clean and streak-free perfection.
There are magnetic window cleaners, multifunction steam cleaners and u-shaped telescopic poles you can buy online to give you an advantage over hard to reach places safely and provide an almost professional quality clean.
4. Pro tip
Window cleaning for apartments is best carried out on a moderate day that’s overcast or not too sunny. Warmth on windows and sunshine mean solutions dry too fast and create streaks.
“The objective of cleaning is not just to clean, but to feel happiness living within that environment” Marie Kondo.
5. Cleaning solutions
Hardware stores sell many window cleaning products which are suitable to use. Regular dishwashing liquid or a hot water and vinegar mix are excellent low cost, low chemical solutions you already have at home.
Use a 50/50 blend of hot water and white/distilled vinegar. Using a sponge or squeegee moisten the window with the vinegar or dish soap solution. Always dampen the squeegee first and using downward strokes, clean from the top down. Wipe the edge of the squeegee with the microfibre cloth after every stroke (not paper towel as it leaves fibres on the blade).
It’s preferable to clean when there is no direct sun on the windows. Along with removing marks and smears from glass, there may be cobwebs and dust in the windowsills, corners and screens to remove too.
6. Pro tip
If you can reach without a device, use window cleaning spray and paper towel to complete a streak-free wipe and finish.
7. Window screens
Clean your window screens outside or in a bathtub if you have one. It’s deceiving how much dirt they hold and it can get messy!
If you’re doing this inside or without the bathtub, use a microfibre or kitchen cloth to wipe off the dust. Give each screen a good vacuum using a brush attachment. Use your chosen cleaning solution in a spray bottle to soak the screens then wipe them with a rag. If the dirt is thick, repeat the first two steps before using the spray solution.
DIY or leave it to the professionals?
Of course, you can do your apartment window cleaning with some careful preparation and our cleaning tips. Depending on the number of windows and their accessibility, this can prove to be a big task to carry out safely and effectively.
Bax Clean recommend a professional window clean every three to six months. We can do more thorough and faster window cleaning for apartments because we’re equipped for rope access and elevated work platform window cleaning.
We service all areas of metropolitan Melbourne, seven days a week. So you can arrange for us to do your apartment window cleaning on a weekend if it’s more convenient.
As well as window cleaning on apartments, our professional and friendly team service homes, businesses and owners corporations throughout Melbourne.
