How to Clean and Fix Windows Tips

26 Windows and repair tips, hints, and tricks

Sticky Windows

Snap the rope or chain and windows will usually loosen up.

Loosing Windowpanes

Dig through old putty with a very hot instrument to loosen a windowpane.

Window Cleaning

Newspaper is much cheaper to use for drying freshly-washed windows than paper toweling.

Drying Windows

Dry the inside panes with up-and-down strokes, and the outside with back-and-forth motions to see which side has smudges.

Window Cleaning Solution

The best mixture for cleaning windows is 1/2 cup of ammonia, 1 cup of white vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch in a bucket of warm water.

Cold Weather Window Cleaning

Add 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol to the above mixture on cold days to prevent ice from forming on your windows.

Clean Window Sills

To remove spots on window sills, rub the surface with rubbing alcohol.

Puttying Windows

Mix some paint into the putty to match the woodwork before puttying windows.

Aluminum Window Frames

Use cream silver polish to clean aluminum window frames.

Nylon Net

Use nylon net to remove dead insects from the outside of windows.

Grease Spots

Any cola drink will remove grease spots from windows.

Window Shades

Try using a soft eraser to remove smudges and spots on window shades.

Torn Window Shades

On small tears in shades, repair with clear nail polish.

Cleaning Screens

A roller brush will remove most dust, dirt and lint from wire screening.

Dirt in the Corner

Wrap a rag or cloth around the end of a pencil eraser to clean in the corners of windows.

Washing Woodwork

Keep walls form becoming dirty and smudged when washing window woodwork by holding a piece of cardboard along the edge of the wood work as you clean.

Cleaning Venetian Blinds

Wear an old pair of cotton socks on your hands to clean Venetian blinds.

Broom Cover

Use an old shirt sleeve to make a permanent broom cover to dust in high places. Cut the sleeve off at the elbow, stitch the ends together, slip over the broom and button the cuff around the handle.

Venetian Blinds

Another way to deal with faded or soiled Venetian blind tapes is to brighten them with white shoe polish.

Sofa Protector

Cover the bottoms of sofa cushions with vinyl to protect them from children. Turn right side up when company comes.

Protect Dining Chairs

Cover children's chairs in the dining room with clear plastic drapery liners to protect from spills

Simple Kitchen Curtains

Curtains for the kitchen can easily be made by stitching a hem along one end of pretty kitchen or bathroom towels and hanging on kitchen curtain rods.

Crisp Curtains

Add a half a cup of powered milk to the last rinse water when washing nylon, Dacron or fiber glass curtains to crispness.

Numbered Windows

When cleaning, painting or changing windows, number each with a ballpoint pen and put the corresponding number inside the proper window frame.

Venetian Blind Tapes

When the tapes of Venetian blinds wear and fade, use strips of matching or contrasting curtain material to replace them.

Prevent Fading

To prevent fading, each time you wash your curtains, rotate them in windows which receive more or less sunlight than others.

How to : Bathroom Cleaning Tips

23 tips, hints, and tricks ready for use in the master bath or guest bathroom.

Bathroom Tile

Rub ordinary car wax into your ceramic bathroom tiling to clean and refinish. Let it stand 10 minutes and buff or polish.

Tile Tip

 Use a typewriter eraser to clean spaces between bathroom tiles.

Cleaning the Bathroom

Use a typewriter eraser to clean spaces between bathroom tiles.

Metal Shower Head

To clean mineral deposits from a clogged shower head, boil it with half a cup of white vinegar and one quart of vinegar for a while

Plastic Shower Head

Soak a plastic shower head in a hot vinegar and water mixture to unclog it.

Preventing Mildew

Soak a plastic shower head in a hot vinegar and water mixture to unclog it.

Removing Mildew

Wash mildewed shower curtains in hot soapy water, rub with lemon juice, and let them dry in the sun.

Cleaning Fixtures

Dip a cloth in kerosene or rubbing alcohol to remove scum and spots from your bathroom fixtures.

Removing Film and Scum

Use a piece of very fine plain steel wool to remove film from the shower stall.

Porcelain Cleaners

Lighter fluid will remove most dark, stubborn stains from sink and bathtub

Yellowed Bathtub

Restore whiteness to a yellowed bathtub by rubbing with a salt and turpentine solution

Shower Mat Tip

Dip a stiff brush in a kerosene and warm water solution to clean the bath mat.

Rust Stains

Spread a paste of hydrogen peroxide and cream of tartar over the rusted area, and add a few drops of ammonia. Let it stand or 2 or 3 hours.

Rusty Tile

Rust stains on tile can be removed with kerosene.

Rings in Toilet Bowl

Try using one of the rust removers (found on this site) to remove toilet bowl rings.

Cleaning Shower Doors

Rub glass shower doors with a white vinegar dampened sponge to remove soap residue.

Bathtub Cleaner

Insert a sponge into the leg of an old nylon stocking and knot the end. Use it to scrub sinks, bathtub, tile, etc.

Steam-Free Mirror

If your medicine cabinet has two sliding mirrors, slide one side open before taking a hot bath or shower. After the bath, you'll have one clean mirror instead of two that are steamed and foggy

Save an Aching Back

If you suffer from back problems, use a child's toy mop to clean your bathtub--you won't have to stoop over to clean.

Rubber Bath Mat

Stand a rubber bath on end to let it drain--prevents mildew and mold.

Preventing Steamy Bathrooms

If you run about an inch of cold water before adding hot water in the bath, there will be absolutely no steam in your bathroom.

Medicine Cabinet

It's a good idea to go through your medicine several times a year and throw away medicines that are old or outdated. They could be dangerous

Easy Bathroom Cleaning

Clean your bathroom after a steamy bath or shower. The walls, fixtures, etc., will be much easier to clean, because the steam will have loosened the dirt