Spring Cleaning Tips for Windows & Doors

Spring Cleaning Your Windows & Doors

Deep Cleaning Your Windows, Blinds, and Curtains

• Step 1: Dust your windows and window frames. This will prevent spreading dust around your window as you clean.
• Step 2: Clean your window frames (vinyl, fiberglass, metal, or wood) with warm soapy water. Make sure to dry them afterwards, especially if they are wood or metal. Pay special attention to touch points like the bottom of the sash and the lock. These areas tend to get extra dirty.
• Step 3: Visually examine your windows. When cleaning your windows, take a moment to give your windows a thorough visual examination (inside and out) to ensure they’re in good condition.
• Step 4: Clean the Sills. Use your vacuum’s hose attachment to suck up any dust, dirt, or crumbs in the sill.
• Step 5: Clean the Glass. To clean the windows themselves, use a microfiber cloth and window cleaner. Some people like to use newspaper or coffee filters, but microfiber cloths are the safest.
• Step 6: Clean Your Curtains. If your curtains are dusty, use your vacuum’s long reach attachment to clean them, starting at the top and working your way down. Depending on the fabric, you may be able to steam clean them or even put them in the washer on the delicate setting. Check the care tag on your curtains for machine washing/drying guidance.
• Step 7: Clean Your Blinds. Blinds get dusty and need to be cleaned regularly. To clean your blinds, you can use an old sock and 50/50 vinegar/water mixture. Simply put your hand in the sock, spray the cleaning solution on the sock, and run your fingers over the slats of your blind. This removes dust, dirt, and grime in one fell swoop!

Cleaning Your Interior Doors

• Step 1: Dust Your Door. You want to start by removing any dust or loose dirt to avoid spreading it around as you clean. Use your vacuum’s long reach attachment to get any cobwebs at the top of your door or door frame.
• Step 2: Clean the Doors. For most doors, water and mild dish soap will work perfectly. Use a microfiber cloth to clean them and a separate cloth to dry them afterward. Don’t forget to clean the edges of your door and your door frame! If you have wooden doors, do not use glass cleaner or acid-based cleaners like vinegar. This could damage or remove the paint or stain on your door. Simply clean with warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth, making sure to dry it quickly with a separate, lint-free cloth.
• Step 3: Remove Scuffs and Grime at Touch Points. If your doors have scuff marks or are especially dirty at the touch points, you can use melamine foam (the material used to make Magic Erasers) to remove them.
• Step 4: Disinfect. Use an all-purpose cleaner or diluted bleach solution to disinfect your doorknobs.

Cleaning Your Exterior Doors

• Step 1: Remove Loose Dirt. Start by removing any dust and loose dirt. This will prevent you from spreading it all over your door as you clean.
• Step 2: Clean Your Door. Use water, gentle dish soap, and paper towels to clean the door. We recommend paper towels because our exterior doors can get extremely dirty. Using paper towels ensures you don’t transfer bacteria from your door to other surfaces or ruin cleaning cloths.
• Step 3: Cleaning Glass Doors. If you have a storm door, sliding glass doors, or French doors, follow our instructions for cleaning windows above.
• Step 4: Dry Your Door. Dry your clean door with paper towels.
• Step 5: Disinfect. Use an all-purpose cleaner or diluted bleach solution to disinfect your door knob and knocker.
• Step 6: Clean Your Doormat. Don’t forget your doormats! Hose off your outdoor doormat and let it dry in the sun. You can vacuum your indoor mat or, if it’s machine washable, put it through the washer!