A glass cleaner can help you achieve a lot when removing dirt and grime from your windows. However, the tool that you choose to use has a greater impact on the final result, especially if you are planning to clean the exterior windows of a multiple story home.
Pressure washers are known to be quite efficient and convenient, but this is only if you know how to use them. Here is a brief look at how you can clean your home’s exterior windows using a pressure washer.
1. What You’ll Need – Equipment
Before you start wetting and applying soap to your windows, it is important to ensure that everything is in place. Aside from the pressure washer, you will need a soap concentrate, a bucket for the water, a garden hose, a soft bristle brush, a squeegee, and microfiber cloths for drying.
You may also need a step stool or a ladder if your upstair’s windows are too high to reach. If you need to rent or hire a tower or ladder in Kingston Upon Hill, check out the details on our page. If you fear heights and climbing on step stools, you can get around this by duct taping an extra mop or broom to attain a longer reach.
2. Start With An Inspection
The first step to cleaning exterior windows is assessing the existing condition, to make sure the glazing and caulking is in good condition. If the glazing is not intact, or you are planning to repair the caulking, then it is best to postpone the cleaning until you have finished the repair. You can also inspect spots that need repainting and use your pressure washer to target the loose chipped paint. Be cautious when removing chipped paint, as excess pressure may expose and damage the wood underneath.
3. Prepare The Window For Cleaning
Once you have made sure that everything is in good shape, it is time to start cleaning your windows. Use a soft broom to sweep away dirt, spider webs and other bugs from your window frames. You can soak the broom in soapy water to help you eliminate tough gunk. The next step is to wet the soil beneath your windows. Soaking helps to dilute the chemical soap you will use to clean the window.
4. Apply The Soap
Pour some soapy water into your washer’s reservoir and install the soap tip on the wand’s end. The soap tip basically releases a stream of water at a lower pressure, ideal for soap application. Make sure that you use a soap formula that’s approved for the pressure washer. Most multi-use soaps will work just fine, but it is still important to use the recommended formula.
Once this is done, turn the pressure washer on and activate the wand to apply the soapy water to your windows. Spray the window and trim at an angle, as this is more effective than splashing directly at it. The pressure washer can give you satisfactory results, but professionals often recommend using a squeegee, as it leaves the windows dry and without any streaks. You can use the washer to spread soap and strip away dirt, and then squeegee everything away.
5. Rinsing
To rinse the windows, turn off your pressure washer and switch the soap tip with a general purpose tip, which offers more pressure. Spray clean water, starting from the top most region of the window, then spray downward. As aforementioned, squeegees are ideal for drying off your exterior windows.
Another option is a microfiber cloth, which is perfect if your windows have smaller panes that do not effectively accommodate a squeegee. Microfiber cloths are very soft, so they won’t scratch windows, and are often used for eyeglasses, tv screens, computer screens, etc. They simply eliminate the possibility of leaving streaks.
Summary
While you do not necessarily need to clean your exterior windows as frequently as you do the interior, it is important to treat them with care when they finally do need a cleaning. Proper cleaning is essential to the maintenance and longevity of your windows. Focus on using the right tools and cleaning procedures. And if you can’t, or don’t have the time, you can always hire a professional to do the job for you.