How to Clean Your Sash Windows

Sash windows are a charming feature that adds character to your home and fits in well with period styles. Nevertheless, cleaning them can be a little challenging because their design presents you with hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. These tips on how to clean sash windows will help you keep the sparkle while saving you time and effort. 

Understanding Sash Windows

There are many different types of sash windows, but they have an important characteristic in common: sashes. Sashes slide over one another, often using a system of cords and pulleys to make opening and closing them easier. 

When it comes to frame materials, wood is the classic, but also the hardest to clean and maintain. Modern materials are often engineered for greater durability and easier maintenance, and can present the same look. 

Cleaning your windows gives you an opportunity to inspect details you wouldn’t otherwise look at, so use the opportunity to look for impending maintenance needs like weakened seals, rotting, warping, fading, and splitting. 

When to Clean Your Windows

Window cleaning is a classic spring cleaning task, but you will likely wash your windows whenever water marks, dust, pollen, or soot on the panes spoil your view. Choose a sunny, windless day to prevent your efforts from being spoiled. An unwelcome gust can easily leave damp windows even spottier than they were before you started!

Gather Your Tools and Equipment

Cleaning Agents

Most of us have our favourite ways of cleaning windows. A bucket of warm water with a little dish soap will come in handy. You will need it to clean the window frames. You can use it on the panes, but spray-on window cleaners will make cleaning glass panes easier. White vinegar will help you with harder-to-lift grime on glass. In fact, some people use nothing but vinegar to clean their windowpanes.

Brushes, Cloths, Etc

A soft bristle brush will help you prepare windows for cleaning, and an old toothbrush may help with tricky corners. You may prefer a squeegee for wiping away dirt from glass panes, but keep a few microfibre cloths handy for the harder-to-reach corners and to dry off the frames. Using newspaper is an old but effective trick for getting rid of smears and drying glass. 

Ladders

Whatever you do, don’t try standing on chairs or crates. Use the right tool for the job and avoid unnecessary accidents. Make sure you have a stepladder when cleaning windows from the inside. If you must clean windows high on the facade from outside, you will need a longer ladder to reach them. 

Start With the Frames

After brushing off loose dust, tackle window frames with a damp cloth and warm, soapy water. For really tricky corners, an old toothbrush will help you get into hard-to-reach spots where embedded dirt resists ordinary elbow grease. Rinse away soapy residues with a cloth soaked with clean water, and dry the frames with a soft cloth, or an old towel. 

Cleaning Between Sash Windows

Since you are being so thorough, do not overlook the area between sashes. You may be amazed at some of the things that collect there! Tilting sashes make your task easy, but if yours do not, use your soft brush to get dirt out before you begin cleaning the upper and lower sashes. 

Cleaning Sash Windows From Inside

Begin with the easy-to-reach lower sash. Clean the panes with soapy water and a soft cloth or use your spray-on window cleaner and a cloth or squeegee. Look out for streaks. Although you should be able to buff them away with a cloth or squeegee, there are still people who swear by old newspaper crumbled into a ball to dry windows and get that ultimate shine. Now, move to the upper sash and repeat the process. 

Cleaning Sash Windows Outside

If you have sash windows that allow you to tilt the sashes, you can clean the outside of the panes from indoors. When your sashes do not tilt, you will likely have to move outdoors to reach them. Do be careful when you need to use your ladder - reaching too far over can cause it to overbalance. 

Sash Window Maintenance

As is often the case, you might spot more work that needs to be done while you are cleaning your windows. Use the opportunity for a thorough inspection. Things to look out for include:

• Lubricant is needed. A silicone-based spray can easily address this and keep the tracks and pulleys working smoothly.
• Search for gaps that may let drafts in. Weather stripping might solve the problem.
• Check that the frames, finishes, and the beading around the panes are in good condition. 
• Make sure that window locks and catches work to secure your windows properly.

If your inspection indicates a world of trouble brewing, it may be time to consider replacing your window frames, especially if they are already very old and cracked, warped, or broken.

Choose a Low-Maintenance, Secure Option and Keep the Look

Although our security sash windows will still need regular cleaning, our choice of materials makes cleaning window frames easier. You can also be confident about their durability while feeling safer at home thanks to our sash windows’ security features. 

If you’ve spotted problems that no amount of soap and water can fix and are ready to consider replacements, contact us. Our custom-made sash windows will give your home a fresh look you’re bound to love. 

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