It’s time to prepare your home for the upcoming winter now that it’s almost here. It’s a good time to learn how to clean your window tracks and sills as your windows will probably stay closed until spring.
Not sure how to properly clean window sills? You’ll have your work cut out for you this summer as dirt, garbage, and curious insects try to make your home their home. This information will help you get started.
Cleaning Tips for Window Tracks
Check the sills both inside and outside: Pollen and dirt buildups can be pushed obstinately into certain difficult-to-reach angles and can find a home in the channel created by your window tracks. Examine each sill to check if it requires cleaning.
Assemble your cleaning agent: You must understand how to clean your window tracks and window sills. It works with a one-to-three part mixture of water and distilled white vinegar. Strong stains will be loosened by the vinegar’s mild acidity, making it simple to remove them using a clean, dry cloth.
Utilize makeshift tools: Rub and clean any remaining dirt in the track margins using a Q-Tip or an old toothbrush that has been dipped in vinegar.
Observe patience: Going slowly and carefully is the ideal approach to clean your window tracks because rushing might result in waste or, in this case, dangerous mildew. Leave no standing water in any cracks or corners.
Cleaning Tips for Window Sills
Verify the fit: Any rattling or giving in a closed window frame or pane portends trouble. Your windows should close and lock firmly. Moisture and debris can seep in if your window doesn’t fill its track or sit flush against its edges. To get the greatest results, plan a window replacement before the cold winter if you think your window needs to be replaced.
Make your air quality better: Sills are more likely to be wiped down and dusted as part of regular cleaning since they are more noticeable than window tracks. Additionally, they are more susceptible to dents, dings, chipped or scratched paint, and regular wear and tear.
Surfaces should be kept clean for health reasons: The EPA cautions that pollutants like smog and car exhaust can influence the quality of indoor air and can build on window sills from the outside. Cleaning them makes certain that residue won’t enter your home, where it might lead to health problems.
Avert dangerous chemicals: You might be unsure about how to safely clean window sills if you have kids or pets. A spray bottle filled with a diluted vinegar solution—3 parts warm water to 1 part distilled white vinegar—is simple to use, inexpensive, secure, and efficient.
How to Clean Damaged Window Sills
Consider a touch-up before winter if the paint on your windowsills isn’t as smooth as it once was. Over time, wiping, dusting, and cleaning window sills will become simpler thanks to interior paint that is the right hue and is finished with the right sealant. It could be time to think about replacing your windows if you see significant grooves, deep cracks, or other damage to the sill. The interior of the window frame may already have advanced problems like wood rot by the time you notice damage to your windowsill.
To help keep you warm and comfortable all year round, the US Department of Energy advises installing new windows or updating to more contemporary, well-maintained ones. This month, get your window tracks and sills sparkling clean to get your house ready for winter.
