Bay windows bathe your spaces in light. Integrated into a pergola or veranda, they offer a breathtaking view of your garden. Yes, but… they still have to be clean! But how do you wash them? The hose will inevitably leave its mark. marks on the glass. Cleaning bay windows properly requires a little more work to obtain a streak-free result. In this article, we give you some cleaning tips and tricks to help you keep your windows clean.
The importance of regular cleaning
Why do I need to clean my windows regularly?
Windows inevitably get dirty pretty quickly. Dirt, pollutants, pollen, limescale and other debris quickly accumulate and cling to the glass. Regular washing is therefore essential to keep your windows spotless.
Don’t panic, regular doesn’t mean complicated! To keep your windows clean and beautiful all year round, all you need is a few simple gestures and a little care. At least when the chassis is made ofaluminum, as we have chosen to do at VERANDAIR. In fact, it’s a tough, easy-to-maintain material.
Even so, it’s normal for various elements to accumulate on the sliding door tracks over time. Dust, limescale, hair, leaves, sand or mud – all this dirt can end up obstructing your view of your garden, or even the opening of your bay window if you have sliding walls.
Without a minimum of maintenance, you run the risk of damaging it by having to force it open. And no one wants to get a finger stuck in it! In short, cleaning your sliding partition from time to time is the lesser evil. This ensures not only design and aesthetics, but also the safety and durability of your purchase.
When should a bay window be cleaned?
We recommend that you clean your bay window on a cloudy day (not rainy, of course), or at least out of the sun. This will prevent the product from drying too quickly and leaving marks.
Washing bay windows is not something you’ll have to do very often. The frequency of cleaning depends on a number of factors, such as the location and use of your wall, and ambient pollution. However, by washing your wall from time to time, every few months, you should be able to keep it in perfect condition. In any case, we recommend cleaning your windows at least once a year.
Which equipment and products to choose?
Hardware: the basics
There’s no need to make expensive purchases to wash your bay windows. You will need the following basic equipment:
- A raclette
- A soft sponge
- Vacuum cleaner or small table vacuum cleaner
- A cloth, ideally made of microfiber or cotton
- A small brush (toothbrush if necessary)
- Newsprint
Products: keep it simple
You don’t need any special products to wash your windows. Soapy water will usually do the trick. However, you can choose to use :
- Mild soap
- Dishwashing liquid
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Lemon
How do I clean glass wall frames and rails?
Do your glass doors make noise or start to give off resistance when you slide them? It’s time for a little cleaning.
Vacuum dirt
Start by removing the leaves by hand. Sweep away dirt with a brush or vacuum your tracks. This will make cleaning easier. This prevents dirt from turning to sludge when mixed with a cleaning product.
To reach the most difficult areas, use a screwdriver wrapped in a cloth to avoid damaging the frame. Scrape the various nooks and crannies to remove any excess dirt. Vacuum up any detritus before washing with soapy or vinegar water.
If your mosquito net looks particularly dirty, take it out and wash it with warm, damp water, using a soft brush. Rinse and allow to dry before using again. To quickly remove dust from blinds and shutters, we recommend cleaning both sides with a microfiber duster, or opening the slats and cleaning them with a damp cloth followed by a dry cloth.
Scrub with vinegar or mild soap
Once all solid debris has been removed, mix lukewarm water with a small amount of soap or washing-up liquid. Next, gently clean the rails and frame with a sponge, small brush or even a toothbrush. Then wipe them dry with a soft, dry cloth to absorb any moisture.
You can also use white vinegar, which is a powerful natural cleaner. Mix it with equal parts water in a spray bottle. Spray the chassis with the mixture. Leave the solution to act for around 5 minutes before cleaning and wiping gently.
Be careful not to use scouring substances or corrosive scrubbing. This could erode your chassis.
Lubricate if necessary
Finally, you can lubricate your rails with a suitable non-greasy product. This operation can be carried out 2 or 3 times a year. Now let’s take a look at how to clean the glass itself.
How do I clean a glass wall?
Fingerprints, rain and limescale are all elements that can dirty your windows. Here are our tips for easy removal.
Dust off
First of all, to avoid residue build-up when you wash the glass, start by dusting the partition. To do this, use a soft, clean cloth, not forgetting the frames.
Concoct the cleaning product
There are a number of ways to achieve a clean, streak-free window. As for the rails, you can use white vinegar, which acts as a degreaser while removing limescale. This makes it particularly suitable for bathrooms and showers, as well as verandas and pergolas. Rain leaves traces of limescale on your windows! To remove them, mix equal parts white vinegar with water and, if necessary,spirit to clean your windows.
A little mild soap, washing-up liquid or lemon juice in water will also do the trick. You can also mix two tablespoons of baking sod a with 1 liter of water. Be careful not to use excessively abrasive cleaners on the surface, as this could scratch the glass.
Rub the bay with the cleaning solution
Soak a soft sponge or microfiber brush in the cleaning solution and wipe over the glass in spirals. Start at the top of the glass, moving from left to right, and gradually work your way down to the bottom.
For stubborn areas on the wall, such as label residue, glue or bird droppings, moisten them well with vinegar for a few minutes and run a small wooden spatula over them, or rub with a soft sponge. Be careful not to scratch the glass.
Dry it all
Once the glass has been cleaned, dry it with a microfiber towel. Dry rubbing is not recommended. You can also use a small squeegee, which you wipe clean after each horizontal pass, to avoid drip marks. Be careful, however, that no metal parts of the squeegee touch the wall!
Another tip: wipe your windows with newspaper
You may have seen your grandmother use newspaper to dry windows without streaks and to make them shine. There’s a reason why it’s such a popular classic. Although this method isn’t as effective as a squeegee, it’s a great alternative if you don’t have one, or if you have a lot of newspapers to recycle.
The technique is simple: after wetting the windows, rub them with the paper. Make sure, however, that the newspapers used are old and that the ink is completely dry. Otherwise, they can leave stains. If in doubt, test on a small area to be sure.
The advantages of VERANDAIR sliding glass walls
At VERANDAIR, we customize your sliding glass wall to the precise dimensions and specifications of your project. We take care to use quality materials that are strong and resistant, and easy to maintain. What’s more, all our products are 100% Belgian-made and come with a 15-year guarantee.
If you’d like to install a glass partition for your home, don’t hesitate to call on our professionals. You benefit from a wide choice of frame colors and state-of-the-art know-how.
Need more advice?
Download our brochure and discover our range of sliding glass walls. Find out more about our projects and our tips for choosing the right sliding door!
