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Dec 10, 2010
YOU have seen those buildings whose window frames are clogged with dirt. Sometimes you have wondered whether such buildings are habited.
BY HARRIET BIRUNGI
YOU have seen those buildings whose window frames are clogged with dirt. Sometimes you have wondered whether such buildings are habited.
The vents on the in-vogue vented-windows turn brown from layers of dust piling up, and in some cases, forceful opening will leave a cloud of dust in the air.
When cleaning the house, we often forget to clean window frames. Clean sills and frames give a home an extra glow.
It would be a shame, more so during the festive season, to have sparkling clean windows and filthy window sills. Window frames and the lower sill are just as important to clean. If you leave these dirty, your clean windows will get dirty faster from the dirt and dust on the sills. What is the quick step to clean and mould-free windows?
To clean the frame and window sills, first use a dry cloth or a long handle broom to get rid of the dust and spider webs. Mix a small amount of liquid non ammonia detergent into a bucket of hot water to create foam. Dip a stiff scrub brush into the soapy water, and scrub away all the visible mildew on the metal window frames. Rinse the window frames with clean hot water.
After, use a sponge or towels to absorb the excess water. Dry the metal window frames after cleaning to discourage mildew growth. Use approximately one table spoon of liquid chlorine bleach to four cups of water in a large spray bottle. Spray the clean metal window frames with the bleach solution and let it sit for ten minutes.
Rinse the diluted bleach with a sponge dampened in clean water and dry the metal window frames thoroughly. Open the window, if possible, to increase ventilation and prevent mildew from returning.
Alternatively, use hot soapy water and a soft cloth. Wet the cloth in the hot soapy water and wipe the sill and frame.
You may have to scrub a bit to get stains off. Once the frames are clean and dry, you can wash the inside window. Using your cleaner and wiping material which could be newspaper, micro fibre cloth or paper towel, spray your cleaner onto the window pane. Cover the window in the product completely.
Start in the outside corners and wipe inward toward the centre. Start from the top and work in horizontal lines for the inside and vertical wiping movements for the outside.
If any streaks appear, you will be able to tell which side of the window they are on. To clean window tracks, mix dishwashing liquid and warm water together. Dip a soft toothbrush in the mixture and clean the tracks. The bristles can be used to get into those hard to reach corners. Dry the window tracks after cleaning and apply some lubricant like oil.
For wooden window frames, dettol antiseptic is good at removing moulds and mildew. Add it to the water being used to clean the frame. And when, you may apply a layer of wood varnish.
While cleaning, look out for any damage to the wood. Over time the wood of the windowsill may weaken. It can become cracked, and even begin to fall apart, becoming susceptible to termites eating their way to the interiors. If the condition is too far gone, the frame can be removed or fixed.
YOU have seen those buildings whose window frames are clogged with dirt. Sometimes you have wondered whether such buildings are habited.
The vents on the in-vogue vented-windows turn brown from layers of dust piling up, and in some cases, forceful opening will leave a cloud of dust in the air.
When cleaning the house, we often forget to clean window frames. Clean sills and frames give a home an extra glow.
It would be a shame, more so during the festive season, to have sparkling clean windows and filthy window sills. Window frames and the lower sill are just as important to clean. If you leave these dirty, your clean windows will get dirty faster from the dirt and dust on the sills. What is the quick step to clean and mould-free windows?
To clean the frame and window sills, first use a dry cloth or a long handle broom to get rid of the dust and spider webs. Mix a small amount of liquid non ammonia detergent into a bucket of hot water to create foam. Dip a stiff scrub brush into the soapy water, and scrub away all the visible mildew on the metal window frames. Rinse the window frames with clean hot water.
After, use a sponge or towels to absorb the excess water. Dry the metal window frames after cleaning to discourage mildew growth. Use approximately one table spoon of liquid chlorine bleach to four cups of water in a large spray bottle. Spray the clean metal window frames with the bleach solution and let it sit for ten minutes.
Rinse the diluted bleach with a sponge dampened in clean water and dry the metal window frames thoroughly. Open the window, if possible, to increase ventilation and prevent mildew from returning.
Alternatively, use hot soapy water and a soft cloth. Wet the cloth in the hot soapy water and wipe the sill and frame.
You may have to scrub a bit to get stains off. Once the frames are clean and dry, you can wash the inside window. Using your cleaner and wiping material which could be newspaper, micro fibre cloth or paper towel, spray your cleaner onto the window pane. Cover the window in the product completely.
Start in the outside corners and wipe inward toward the centre. Start from the top and work in horizontal lines for the inside and vertical wiping movements for the outside.
If any streaks appear, you will be able to tell which side of the window they are on. To clean window tracks, mix dishwashing liquid and warm water together. Dip a soft toothbrush in the mixture and clean the tracks. The bristles can be used to get into those hard to reach corners. Dry the window tracks after cleaning and apply some lubricant like oil.
For wooden window frames, dettol antiseptic is good at removing moulds and mildew. Add it to the water being used to clean the frame. And when, you may apply a layer of wood varnish.
While cleaning, look out for any damage to the wood. Over time the wood of the windowsill may weaken. It can become cracked, and even begin to fall apart, becoming susceptible to termites eating their way to the interiors. If the condition is too far gone, the frame can be removed or fixed.