Gentlemen:
I have what I believe to be hard water spots on my windows. I have tried
several different solutions and can not seem to remove them. I am now
using a razor blade with some results but have to believe there is a better
solution to the problem.
Would appreciate your help.
Window Cleaning Tips
Summary:
Window cleaning like a pro requires proper window cleaning supplies and technique. Getting the dirt off and your windows crystal clear depends on professional squeegees, soap and water and the right applicators.
Ten Window Cleaning Tips
Accckkkk! Many people put off cleaning windows or struggle through it because they make the same mistakes I have made for 47 years. I had it all wrong! Do you want crystal clear windows - just like you see at businesses and commercial buildings? Here is how to achieve it!
Use the Right Tools - You must use the professional squeegees, soap and applicators I have already spoken of. If you don't, your windows will look like they do now!
A Clean Scrubber - Always start the job with a clean scrubber or lambs wool applicator, sponge and/or porcupine cleaner. A dirty applicator can leave dirt behind. Rinse the scrubber frequently if you are cleaning many windows, especially dirty windows.
Click here to watch Tim's video on window cleaning tools.
Watch the Sun - NEVER wash windows in direct sunlight. The sun can superheat the glass and cause all sorts of streaking problems.
Holding the Squeegee - Hold the squeegee at an angle so the water runs down the glass. In other words, mimic the motion or setting of a snow plow. The blade on a plow aims towards where the snow ends up. If a plow simply aims straight ahead, snow flows out of the plow at both ends. You don't want water flowing from both ends of the squeegee.
Wipe the Blade - After each squeegee stroke, you must wipe the rubber blade with your lint free cloth. Placing a wet squeegee on the glass will leave a blade mark. You will get good at quickly wiping the blade.
Don't Cut it Close - Overlap squeegee strokes by about one and one half inches. Remember to angle the squeegee so water flows towards the wet window surface, NOT the area that is clean and dry.
Lots of Water - When first washing the window with the scrubber, use a liberal amount of cleaning water. You want the dirt to come off the window with this solution. Use a decent amount on interior glass surfaces, but not so much as to cause a flood or standing water on woodwork.
Go Sideways - Horizontal squeegee strokes are recommended when at all possible. If you are right handed, the left side of the window pane will have triangles of water left behind with each stroke. You will wipe these at the end with a final vertical stroke going from the top of the pane to the bottom of the pane.
Wipe the Edges - There will always be water marks or spots at the edge of the window pane. After all squeegee action is complete, wipe the entire window edge with the lint free cloth.
Practice First - Practice with the squeegee when you first get it. It may be hard to control. Professionals often use an 18 inch model. You might want to start with a 12 inch squeegee and work your way up to a larger model once you develop good hand/eye coordination.
|
Still Need Help? Type Your Keywords Here:
Your Facebook friends would love to know how this column helped you solve your problem. Type a quick comment of what you discovered here at AsktheBuilder.com. Thanks! |
Comments:Welcome! I, Tim
Carter, don't answer questions
here. If you post a question here in the Comments Area,
perhaps another visitor will help you. You need to go to the Ask
Tim page if you want a question answered. Once there, look
closely at how many weeks behind we are. Please be patient as you use
this free service. If you have an emergency and need to talk to me,
there is an option there for you.
Harlan Sprik 09 Apr 2008, 11:04
AsktheBuilder 12 Apr 2008, 16:59
Harlan,
Did you soak a paper towel in vinegar and stick it on the glass for 15 minutes?
kbackus 26 Aug 2008, 13:42
I have hard water spots, too, built up from sprinkler system shooting onto
windows. Brand news Pella windows. I've tried windex & it did nothing. I'll
consider trying vinegar. Can you tell me if you found it to work
successfully??
bigwal 22 Mar 2009, 09:59
We live in Florida and have a well water irrigation system. The well water
is very hard and contains rust. We get stains on our windows from this
water and cannot remove them. I have tried vinegar water and various
cleaning soaps with no success. I usually use warm water with liquid dish
soap and vinegar. I remove the soap with a squeegee which I wipe with a
towel after each stroke. This works well to clean the glass, but it does
not remove the white stains. Do you have any suggestions?
bigwal
meangma 29 Jul 2009, 11:26
My new Pella windows suggest using Bar Keepers soap or ceramic stove top
cleaner. I used the stove top cleaner on my old windows. It worked but
took a lot of scrubbing because I let the hard water spots build up too
much. I have also used the same method on my shower doors.
Ricardo Bartlett 12 Nov 2009, 21:20
apply some CC250. this should remove your hard water marks but first try a
smal area of the window to make sure it will not damage the window.
DARREN 22 Sep 2010, 08:50
I HAVE STREAKS ON MY WINDOWS AFTER CLEANING. WHAT IS THE BEST METHOD TO
REMOVE THEM.
Ray Croskrey 19 Jan 2011, 17:01
I usually have to deal with cleaning hard water deposits off glass at least
everyday as a professional window cleaner. I usually find that a product
called Mineral X made by Core works good for stage one. Vinegar with its
natural acidic level is also usually fairly effective for light build up as
well. Stage two build up I usually always use a professional window scraper
along with the Mineral X. (Never Scrape Tempered Glass- It tends to scratch
easily) Stage three is a whole different story as you will see below.
Stage One: This stage usually happens when hard water has been sprayed onto a window once or twice with ground water from a sprinkler or garden hose. After the water has evaporated, visible spots are left behind. These spots can usually be removed with regular window scrubbing tools along with normal scrubbing methods. Using vinegar or other acidic base cleaners will also help make the job go quicker. Stage Two: At this stage the mineral deposits have build up to the point where it has a somewhat transparent, but white pasty look. At this point, it may be difficult (but not impossible) to remove with normal scrubbing. A professional window scraper, acid base cleaner, light abrasive glass cleaner and a little elbow grease will be needed to completely remove the scales. Stage Three: This is where the hard water deposits have build up to the point where they have etched into the pores of the glass, or have been baked on by the sun. You will know the damage has been done when the window scraper or cleaners will not remove the scale build up, no matter how hard you try. At this point, the window will have to be buffed out by using a special buffer, along with abrasive window buffing pads. This should only be done by a professional. If not done right, it will only cause further damage to the glass. Once the deposits are removed I would recommend coating the glass with a protective sealant like Rain-X or something similar. This will help prevent the deposits from adhering to the glass and thus will clean off much easier if it shall happen again. http://www.do-it-yourself-window-cleaning-tips.com/hard-water-deposits.html View all comments |
