The easy answer is, when they are messy. In an ideal world, you would have the time and energy to clean your windows anytime you want. Yet, it is not always the situation. The earth and grime will accumulate over time.
Factors like the climate and where you live come into play. Make window cleaning a regular part of your home’s maintenance like gutter cleaning. Soil, residue, shape and other pollutants can get caught any time of the year.
You can use the seasons as a guide for cleaning your windows. Make it a part of your spring-cleaning. Clean them before winter comes so they are bright and shiny for those holiday parties. Clear any coarseness and grime so you can let all the light shine through during the summer.
Have Proper Equipment: A steady ladder, a hose, and a soft fabric or sponge are your basic window cleaning tools. You can get a squeegee to make the job easier on your hands. You may also want some gloves to keep your hands dry. You can also invest in window cleaning equipment that will help you reach those windows on the second floor.
Wash Windows with a Mild Solution First: Now that you have your window cleaning supplies ready, start by hosing down the window and frame Fashionable House Wife. Wash it using a gentle solution. Soap and water turns out great. Use a soft material and rinse off your frothy windows.
Clean Windows with a Stronger Solution: After rinsing the windows with a gentle solution, it is time to use something stronger. You can use a commercial window cleaning solution made for glass, or you can have a go at something homemade. One of the more common window cleaning solutions involves 2 cups of water, ¼ cup of vinegar and ½ teaspoon of soap. Put the solution in a spray bottle and apply to your windows. Clean the solution off with soft paper towels, materials or a squeegee.
Newspaper Trick: You will notice the solution runs down the window right away. Curse you gravity! The solution may not stay on the window long enough to dissolve the tougher deposits of minerals or fledgling droppings. You can take a stab at soaking a newspaper in vinegar and water. Use the newspaper to gently scour the window. The newspaper has a non-abrasive coarseness that can get freed of the stuck on deposits without damaging the glass.