Treat yourself to clean windows

Everyone deserves a nice splurge every now and then. For some, it is an expensive meal out or a brand new wardrobe. For me, it is hiring a cleaning person. It is something that I don’t do often, but that I savor every once in a great while. To me, the feeling of a deeply cleaned home is one of the best luxuries to enjoy.

However, in doing this I have learned that professional cleaners have limits. For instance, many will not move furniture; take items off of counters, or clean windows. Doing so would put them at risk for injury. Luckily, I do not mind cleaning windows. It is one of those types of projects that have a clear reward at the end (pun intended).

Cleaning windows properly often involves a little more work than spraying and wiping with window cleaner. Because the outdoor sprinkler spray touches many of my windows, I have to battle hard water spots as well. Luckily, the battle is easily won:

First, know what causes them. For us, it is the splashes from our sprinklers on the lawn. One solution would be to treat the water. Another would be to adjust the sprinkler pressure. If neither are options, consider adjusting the timing of the sprinklers. Ours go off just before dawn. That way, the morning dew or passing showers can help to ever so slightly rinse the water residue the sprinklers leave behind.

If there is not much you can do about hard water hitting your windows, try making this solution. Mix vinegar and water in equal parts. Soak a towel in the mixture. Place the towel on the window and let it sit for 10 minutes. If you cannot lay your window flat, you may need to hold the towel on the window. Wipe with a lint-free cloth. Rinse, and wipe with a clean cloth or use a squeegee if you have one. Repeat this process once or twice. If it does not work, try adding baking soda to the mixture. Repeat the same steps listed above.

If neither of these mixtures work, try this one. Use two parts vinegar, one part liquid dish soap and one part lemon juice. Spray the mixture onto your window and allow it to sit for at least 10-15 minutes. The liquid dish soap will help the mixture to sit on the window, so you can skip the towel soaking. Scrub with a brush. Rinse with fresh water, and wipe with a lint-free cloth or squeegee. Repeat as necessary.

Have a comment or question for Joanne? Email thefixisinhawaii@gmail.com.