Keep the Windows of Your North Shore Home Clean

Although the weather outside is getting downright chilly, you still want that sunshine to come through your windows during the day and show off that great Christmas Tree in the front window of your North Shore home at night.

Keeping clean windows is especially important if you are selling your North Shore home this winter as windows not only make rooms look larger but also bring in more natural light showing off the great assets in your home.

Windows look best if cleaned thoroughly at least twice a year inside and out by a professional, but there are some tricks of the trade to help you keep those windows crystal-clear the rest of the year.

Make Your Own Cleaner
No need to spend way too much on commercial window cleaner when home recipes work just as well and save you money. Try this recipe for a successful homemade glass cleaner:

• Use ½ cup rubbing alcohol, ¼ teaspoon dishwashing detergent, and 2 tablespoons of ammonia OR 3 tablespoons vinegar (instead of ammonia).

• Add all ingredients to a small spray bottle and fill the rest with water and shake.

Check the Temperature
Don’t laugh, but I learned this the hard way – make sure the temperature outside isn’t freezing or any solution you spray on your windows will instantly freeze leaving a streak-fest of a mess. You may want to test a small sample on the bottom of your window first to make sure your window is heated enough. Generally, afternoon is the best time in the winter to wash your windows so that your windows have had some sunshine on them so the cleaning solution doesn’t freeze in place.

Avoid Direct Sunlight
On the contrary to what was just mentioned above, washing your windows in the heat of direct sunlight will cause the solution to dry too fast leaving streaks, spots and the dirt you sought out to destroy.

Recycle Your Newspaper or Use Coffee Filters
Once you’ve read your Chicago Tribune, use the old newspaper to clean your windows. Newsprint leaves a film on your window that is resistant to dirt and is an inexpensive way to get your windows streak-free and free from the lint that rags and paper towels leave behind. Dip the crumpled newspaper in your homemade window cleaner, and wipe in even strokes and finish by using dry sheets of newspaper to dry and polish windows.Coffee filters serve the same function as newspaper if you read the newspaper online or decide to go green. Use a few dipped in the cleanser, and then just dry and polish with a clean dry filter.

Erase Away Streaks
Using a dry, clean blackboard eraser can take away streaks and polish the windows quickly and easily. If you are selling your home and need to leave the house so that potential buyers can view, a quick wipe down of your main windows can help to leave them shiny, leaving a good impression on the buyers.

If you are looking to sell your North Shore home this winter, keeping up your home's appearance in the rush of the holiday season can be tricky, but with a little work and home remedies, your windows can show off all that great natural light and assets that your home has to offer. Call The Marla Schneider Team for a free Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to know what your home is worth today.