Crystal-clear window glass is appealing to the eye. But so do window sill and frames. We all know that window cleaning is important. But window cleaning isn’t only limited to the glass surface. The window tracks and frames should not be skipped too if you want to have perfectly cleaned windows.
Dust, gunk, silt, dead bugs and other debris accumulates in the window sills and tracks over time and it spoils the appearance of your windows. If you leave it uncleaned for too long it also brings a risk of damage to the structure of your windows. That is why it’s essential to keep your window sills spotless too.
No matter if you have a residential or commercial property, you need to check regularly the window sills too. By doing this you show your tenants or customers you pay attention to the smallest details and you are serious about your business.
Window sill cleaning should not be neglected. When we invest the time and effort to clean all the parts of our windows properly, the result will definitely pay off.
Well-cleaned windows and sills always look great and make a positive impression. Regular window sill cleaning brings not only aesthetic benefits to our property but it also saves its structure from damage.
Cleaning window sills isn’t too difficult and it’s relatively safe to perform without professional cleaning equipment.
There is no doubt that using the help of a professional cleaning company guarantees best results. But if you want to clean the window sills of your property by yourself, it’s not impossible. You just need to get yourself some easy-to-find and affordable cleaning tools and ingredients.
If you wonder how often you should clean your window sills, this depends on the climate of your area and if there are trees and brushes growing close to your property. Depending on the dirt severity window sill cleaning shouldn’t be a big challenge for a property owner.
The cleaning frequency is also determined by how often you open the windows throughout the day. It’s recommended to clean your window sills at least twice a year but you can do it more often if they tend to get dirty often.
Window sill cleaning is a task which is quick to perform and it can be easily incorporated into your window cleaning routine.
Things you need for cleaning window sills like a pro:
- Microfiber cloth
- Toothbrush for cleaning
- Spray bottle filled with water
- Dishwashing liquid (you need a few drops)
- Vacuum cleaner (it’s will be good to use a powerful vacuum cleaner)
- Dish soap or baking soda(1 tbsp)
- vinegar(optional)
- Squeegee
- Bucket
How to clean window sills?
Cleaning Steps:
1.Removing dry dirt
Before starting to use the spray bottle, make sure that the dry dirt is cleaned first. The more dirt and dust you remove, the better. Get a dry microfiber cloth and use it to wipe off the dust. After that if there is a residual dirt, then you need to use a cleaning solution to clean it.
That’s because when the dry dirt isn’t removed, mud can appear when we start spraying the sills with water. This also makes the cleaning process more easy afterwards.
It’s recommended to dry around 2,5 cm strip on the side of each window. Always start cleaning from there.
2.Vacuum cleaning
Use the vacuum cleaner to remove large dirt particles from the window sills. Use the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner for cleaning window sills. You can also use a compressed air to remove the accumulated dust off the sills, if your vacuum cleaner isn’t powerful enough.
Compressed air is a great tool when it comes to removing effectively dry dirt debris and dust particles. Then you can proceed with the vacuum cleaner and remove the remaining dirt on the window sills.
3.Preparing a cleaning solution
For the cleaning solution for window sills you can use either a spray bottle or a bottle spray.
Baking soda can be used for effective window sill cleaning. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda or a drop of dish soap in a bucket or in a bottle spray for great results. Or you can pour this mixture into a spray bottle and spray a dry microfiber cloth until it’s fully damp.
Don’t use the cleaning solution directly on the window sills as this can damage them especially if they are wooden. Too much moisture can damage the paint or the finish or even lead to wood warp.
Spray the cleaning mixture on the cleaning towel first and then apply it on the dirty window sills. Wipe the window sills and the frames with gentle movements.
Let the solution sit on the window sill for a few minutes in order to soak through the dirt . Get a dry microfiber cloth and wipe off the excess moisture.
If there are stubborn dirt spots and smudges on your window sills, then you can apply a light pressure on them.
If you choose to work with a bucket, pour a few drops of dish liquid into the bucket and fill ½ parts of it with warm water.
4.Wiping
Dip a microfiber cloth into the bucket filled with a cleaning solution, squeeze it well to remove the excess water and then start wiping the window sills.
You can replace the dish liquid with a few drops of vinegar if you need to clean stubborn dirt and stains. Vinegar is a simple, effective and versatile product when it comes to efficient window sills cleaning.
Another natural cleaning tool is lemon which can be used in the cleaning solution for window sills. Whatever solution you choose , just make sure the water is warm.
5.Drying
When you think they are well-cleaned, get a dry and clean microfiber cloth and use it for the wet spots on the window sills. It should remove the excess moisture and water drip marks.
When you finish wiping the excess moisture, let the windows opened to speed up the drying process for the window sills and tracks.
6.Brushing
Get a clean toothbrush and use it to brush the window sills. A toothbrush makes a good job in removing any dirt debris that is stuck on the window sills. But you can also choose to work with a scrubbing pad and squeegee.
If you work with a scrubbing pad and a squeegee, wash the window sills first with a scrubbing pad which you need to dip into the cleaning solution you have prepared. Wipe the window sill with the scrubbing pad and try to reach all of its corners.
Another effective tool is baking soda. You can sprinkle some baking soda in the crevices of your window sills or just use it in the spray bottle to spray the crevices.
After you put baking soda into the crevices, add a little vinegar on top of it. Pour such amount to cover it. Bubbles will begin to appear. Let this solution for about 5-10 minutes to work.
Then get the toothbrush and start brushing the dirt from the sides towards the center of the window sills. Use a paper towel to wipe the brushed dirt and throw it away.
Finishing touches
When you finish brushing the dirt from your window sills, use again the microfiber cloth to wipe off the dirt that is left. A smart trick is to wrap the cleaning rag around your finger and clean the dirt from the corners of the sill.
If there is a stubborn dirt in the crevices of your window sills, you can use paper towels and q-tips. Try to remove the dirt debris with a q-tip from the corners first and then wipe off the dirt residue with the paper towel. Another thing you can use for the corners of the window sills is butter knife.
Tips for keeping your window sills safe and clean:
When cleaning your windows on the inside, put a dry towel, cloth or rag at the bottom of the window to soak the excess water that drips during the cleaning process.
If you clean your indoor windows, don’t use too much water inside your scrubbing pad to avoid water damage and protect your window sills .When you are finished, dry the window sill with the microfiber towel.
We know well that the outside of the windows gets dirty more often than the inside. For this reason if the outside parts of your window sills get dirty often, you can coat them with floor wax to avoid dirt accumulation.
You can add to your regular window cleaning a weekly dusting of the window sills. You can dust them once a week or every two weeks.
