Top Tips To Clean Your Windows and Doors After The Holidays

Starting the New Year with Sparkling Windows and Doors

After the chilling holiday weather, your windows, and doors demand a thorough clean-up. The holiday weather leaves residues of snow, ice, and dirt on the doors and windows. Left untreated, this can lead to the build-up of moisture and pests.

Unclean windows and doors can also contaminate the indoor air. This can ultimately lead to allergies and respiratory problems. So, health is another reason to bring out your cleaning tools. You can also save money on energy bills with cleaner doors and windows since their insulation capabilities aren’t compromised.

Lastly, you must clean the windows and doors after the holidays to start the year. Especially if you’re planning to sell your home this year. Sparkling doors and windows will instantly increase your home’s appeal multiple fold to interested buyers.

Top Tips To Clean Your Windows and Doors After The Holidays

Cleaning your windows and doors might not sound like a fun activity. However, you have to do it anyway. So, why not find some ways to make the job easier and less time-consuming? Here are some helpful tips to make the cleaning process effortless.

Preparation and Tools 

First of all, choose the right day to do your cleaning. For instance, days with clear skies and lots of sun aren’t the best option. The heat will quickly dry off the cleaning solutions you put on the doors and windows. This results in ineffective cleaning and leaving streaks on the glass. Therefore, choose a cloudy day. Needless to say, windy and rainy days are not the best days for cleaning.

A vital step of the job is getting all the required tools in one place. You will need a microfiber cloth, a squeegee, and a paper towel. And since you will be working in the freezing weather wear proper warm clothing.

The microfiber cloth will cut down your time during dry wiping as it can easily catch dirt and debris. For wet wiping, pick a squeegee that has soft rubber blades. A stiff squeegee won’t conform to the window’s surface. A paper towel helps you soak up the excess water after using the squeegee. Otherwise, the cold temperature will freeze the moisture on your glass.

Apply The Right Technique

Don’t try to wash away the dirt and debris. Instead, use the microfiber cloth to wipe the windows and doors to clean them as much as possible. You should also remove dirt from the panes, grooves, and tracks. If you try to wash the debris away, it can scratch the glass.

You also don’t want to create a mess when cleaning the windows. So, don’t use too much solution that can drip. Spray the solution evenly on the window’s surface. Use a quick top-to-bottom motion to clean the windows with your squeegee. For tight corners, use a damp paper towel and circular motion.

Clean Wooden Doors with Steam Cleaner

Wooden doors are subject to stubborn dirt. Sure, you can use harsh chemicals to get rid of it. However, that comes with the cost of damaging the door’s natural beauty.

Therefore, use a steam cleaner to clean your door. The heat from the steam will also sterilize the wooden door and prevent the growth of mold and bacteria. You can add mild soap to the steam cleaner’s bristles to increase its cleaning power. Use a lint free cloth to quickly wipe the door after applying the steam cleaner. This will ensure there’s no residual dirt.

After cleaning the door, apply some furniture polish to the wood. Not only does it rejuvenate the wood, but it also creates a protective layer. Use a sponge or cloth to rub the polish into the wood grain and evenly distribute it.

Fix or Replace Broken Glass, Drafty Windows, and Stuck Doors

During the cleaning did you notice broken glass, drafts, and windows won’t operate properly? In that case, you have to replace them. Sometimes, you can attend to these problems on your own if the damage is minimal and you have prior experience. Here’s a brief guide.

Replacing Broken Glass 

To replace a broken glass, first measure its dimensions and thickness and order a new one. Then, remove the window sash and put it on a flat surface. You will need a putty knife at this point. Use the knife to pull off the stops and glazing material. Now, cautiously remove the broken glass.

Next, thickly apply the glazing compound to the pane opening and press the new glass into it. Secure the new glass with glazing points and use wire brads to reattach the stops. Scrape off the excess glazing material and allow time to dry.

In the case of broken glass in doors the steps of replacement are the same. However, removing an entire door is tougher than detaching a window. So, you might need some professional help.

Fixing Drafty Windows

There are multiple options to fix drafty windows. One of them is weatherstripping. In other words, you will attach a strip of rubber, foam, or metal to seal the window gaps. Thus, preventing heat escape or cold air entry.

Caulk is also a popular and effective option. It’s a flexible material that can fill the cracks in your window frame. Use a caulking gun to apply the material and smoothen it with a tool or finger. There is silicone, latex, and acrylic caulk available.

Mobilize Stuck Doors

Your doors can become stuck for various reasons. It’s important to identify the reason before you fix it. For instance, loose screws in the hinges or the frame can cause the door to sag or rub. You can use a screwdriver to tighten them or change the old screws.

A door can also become stuck because it has expanded and is now too big. In that case, you can remove it from the hinges and sand the wood to reduce the excess.

Sometimes, doors get stuck due to friction. Using a lubricant can help you here. Apply soap, oil, wax, or silicone spray to the door’s hinges and edges and reduce the friction.

Final Words

If you don’t have prior professional experience with fixing broken windows and doors, then it’s better not to attempt it. You might injure yourself and also do damage to your home. So, it’s best to hire a professional service like Peak Windows and Doors, LLC. We offer all kinds of repair and replacement services for doors and windows. Get in touch today.