If you are like most people, you periodically wipe down the interior and exterior of your windows. After all, the windows can easily get smudged with fingerprints and caked with a grimy film. However, it is easy to overlook the windowsills and tracks. While these areas may not be as visible as the windows themselves, they can become filthy as well. After learning how to clean window sills, you will be ready to target these areas so that you can enjoy the benefits of a truly pristine home.
Before You Learn How to Clean Window Sills
Before you spend time learning how to clean window sills, you need to be aware of the type of grime that can accumulate in this area. Generally, the windowsills may be a magnet for dust, pet hair, dead bugs and many other things. Inside the window tracks, you may find these items as well as grease, mildew and more. Now that you know what you may be faced with, you can gather all of the supplies necessary to make cleaning the windowsills and tracks a breeze.
Essential Supplies to Clean Windowsills and Tracks
To get started, you will need a vacuum with a handheld hose or a handheld, portable vacuum. You will also need a very small scrub brush, a spray bottle filled with a mixture of water and white vinegar, paper towels, a microfiber cloth and a butter knife. You may also need baking soda for thick layers of gunk. If you have stone windowsills, you should substitute the white vinegar with rubbing alcohol.
How to Clean Window Sills Easily
Cleaning the windowsills is relatively easy unless you have stubborn stains. You can begin by vacuuming away the loose debris. Remember to pay attention to the corners, which is where a lot of gunk can accumulate. Then, spray the concoction in your water bottle on the windowsill. Use the microfiber cloth to wipe away the moisture and filth. Water standing on the windowsills for too long can cause warping, so thoroughly dry these areas.
In some cases, windowsills may be caked with various types of debris. You can use the flat side of the butter knife to scrape as much of this gunk off as possible. If some of the substance remains, make a thick paste with water and baking soda. Allow this to sit on the substance for a few minutes before trying to remove it. If your windowsills are stained and cannot be cleaned, you may need to add a fresh layer of paint to restore their appearance.
Remember to Clean the Tracks
The window tracks are often much
filthier. In fact, many people may have lived in their homes for years without
cleaning the tracks a single time. The buildup in the tracks may be thick and
caked-on because it has been exposed to the elements more substantially than
the debris on the windowsills. When this gunk is not removed, opening and
closing the windows becomes challenging. Eventually, this may create a safety
issue.
As is the case when cleaning the windowsills, you should begin by vacuuming as
much of the debris from the tracks as possible. Then, pour a layer of baking
soda on the tracks, and apply a small amount of white vinegar. You should see
this mixture begin to bubble. Use the small brush to scrub the tracks
thoroughly. If you have a wet vacuum, you can use this to extract the baking
soda, vinegar and gunk. Otherwise, you will need to use paper towels or a
cloth.
You may notice that some debris is still caked on the tracks. Use the knife to
scrape away this debris. After all of the filth is removed, you can rinse the
area before wiping it down with a microfiber cloth.
For smooth operation of the windows, you may need to lubricate them again.
Vinyl tracks require a special silicone-based lubricant. Wooden window tracks
should be lubricated with wax. You may need to use a hairdryer at a low setting
to heat the lubricant slightly so that it can spread over the tracks as
desired.
Add Windowsills and Tracks to Your Spring Cleaning Checklist
Cleaning the windowsills and tracks is an essential part of home cleaning and maintenance, but it is easy to overlook. Knowing how to clean window sills effectively is essential, but you also need to focus on these areas periodically for the best results. When you get in the habit of cleaning these areas regularly, less debris will accumulate between cleaning sessions. With this in mind, it makes sense to add this cleaning task to your regular spring cleaning checklist.