Commercial window sprays can be expensive and may be harmful to children, pets, and the environment. Learn how to make the windows in your home crystal clear without toxic chemicals, unsightly streaks, or paper towel waste.
NOTE: this will only work on lightly soiled windows, windows with oily, sooty, or smoke residues are VERY difficult to clean this way. Plus this method requires frequently changing the steel wool as it becomes soiled, so buy LOTS! discard the steel wool if it gets damp or wet. This method is quite labor intensive, be sure you allow lots of time & elbow grease. Simply using simple, safe and non-toxic dishwasher soap and distilled water is a LOT easier; see the topic How to clean windows How to clean a window!
Step 1
Open the window and rub the bristle brush over the entire screen. This will knock the dust lose from the screen. You may want to position a fan so that it blows out of the window, otherwise the breeze from outside may blow all that dust and pollen back into your home. If your screens are removable, you might want to take them outside to do this step.
Step 2
Rub a piece of VERY FINE steel wool over the glass to remove the grime. Do it this systematically. Start with the outside of the top pane, then the inside of the top pane, then the outside of the bottom pane, and so on. Do this until the entire window is clean. You can also use the steel wool on the window frame, depending on whether it is wood/metal/plastic. Test it on a small unnoticeable area first to be sure that it won't scratch.
Step 3
The steel wool WILL flake and cause a lot of dust. Plus you are only loosening the grime - not removing it. Keep a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush head handy and vacuum each section right after you finish.
Step 4
When you are finished, be sure to replace the screens and vacuum the windowsill and the surrounding area.
Step 5
Repeat for all of the windows in your house!
Tips
- It will take a bit of elbow grease to remove the grime, particularly on the outside of the window, but it pays off in the end because your windows will be cleaner.
- Many window panes can be taken out for cleaning. Check the top of the panel for slide locks that will release the top of the window and allow it to swing down. That way you can clean both the outside (usually the dirtiest part) AND the inside.
- Heavy plenty of steel wool on hand, and take new pieces often. The steel wool tends to fall apart after a while, creating more dust while cleaning less effectively. Be careful to not inhale the steel wool dust.
- You may wish to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands when using the steel wool. If not, be sure to wash your hands often as the grime will transfer to your hands and cause unsightly fingerprints on your clean windows.
- You may wish to remove your contacts before getting started (or wear safety glasses), because all the steel dust may irritate or injure your eyes.
- If you are at all uncertain, test the steel wool on a small, relatively unnoticeable area of your window first. Better a tiny scratch patch than a destroyed window!
Warnings
- Use fine steel wool only! A very fine grade of steel wool will not scratch your windows and will clean them effectively. DO NOT use pre-soaped steel wool such as is sold for cleaning pots & pans. That is usually much too coarse for windows, and it is often made with soap, which will cause streaks. If you do not know what type of steel wool to buy, go to the hardware store and ask for 0000 (4-zeros) steel wool.
Things You'll Need
- A bristle brush.
- Fine steel wool.
- A vacuum with a soft brush head.
- A small fan (optional).
- Rubber gloves
- Safety glasses
