Glass and Windows
How Do I Clean a Tilt-in Window?
The great thing about tilt-in windows is that anyone can clean both sides of the glass, without getting on a ladder or even going outside. Believe me, I have cleaned my share of windows over the past 30 years as a professional cleaner. Even first floor windows can be a pane (pun intended!) to clean if there are bushes or other shrubbery blocking the path to the window.
There is one unique issue that comes with cleaning a tilt-in window that traditional windows do not have: the drip that occurs when you place the window in its upright position. I have a great tip for you that will eliminate that problem and a tip to avoid getting moisture trapped inside the double pane of glass (a problem found with older windows).
Step 1: Prepare your glass cleaning regiment. If you plan on using a squeegee to clean your window, see our article HERE. Or, if you're more of a spray and wipe type of cleaner, then see our instructions HERE.
Step 2: Tilt in the bottom window. The bottom window is also the window that is in the track that is nearest to you. To tilt the window in:
Important: Do not clean the window while it is dangling upside down. Without question, most people clean tilt-ins while they are fully upside down. However, when cleaning a window the water naturally flows which way? Down, right? So, as the water flows down, and collects in a puddle as you clean, when you replace the window in its upright position, all that water that collected at the bottom, will flow down the outside of the window.
Step 5: Wet the window with your cleaning solution of choice (as per your chosen cleaning method). Hold the window parallel to the floor (slightly pitched toward the window frame, is best). The idea is to not let the cleaning solution flow to the top of the window.
Step 6: Whether you are cleaning the glass with a squeegee or with a towel, clean from the top to the bottom. It is important for the top of the window to be dry.
Step 7: Dry the perimeter of the glass with a lint-free cloth. This step is critical to keep droplets of water from streaking down the glass as you place it right-side up.
Step 8: Replace the window to its right-side up position. Look for any drips that may occur. If so, simply tilt the window in and dry the drips with a lint-free cloth.
Step 9: Repeat steps 4 through 8 for the exterior glass.
Step 10: Once the exterior of the upper and lower glass has been cleaned, clean the interior glass. Always clean the upper glass first because chances are, you are going to drip onto the lower glass.
Tips and Reminders:
There is one unique issue that comes with cleaning a tilt-in window that traditional windows do not have: the drip that occurs when you place the window in its upright position. I have a great tip for you that will eliminate that problem and a tip to avoid getting moisture trapped inside the double pane of glass (a problem found with older windows).
Step 1: Prepare your glass cleaning regiment. If you plan on using a squeegee to clean your window, see our article HERE. Or, if you're more of a spray and wipe type of cleaner, then see our instructions HERE.
Step 2: Tilt in the bottom window. The bottom window is also the window that is in the track that is nearest to you. To tilt the window in:
- Open the window about three (3) inches. It is impossible to tilt the window while it is in the closed position.
- At the top left and right of the window, find the locking tabs. These tabs control the locking mechanism.
- Simultaneously slide the tabs toward the center of the window.
- Slowl, pull the window forward.
- Gently, allow the window to tilt all the way in. Rest the window upside down against the window sill.
- Lower the window so it is two or three inches above the lower window (which should be fully tilted in at this point).
- As with the lower window, find the slide locks and push them toward the center of the window.
- Gently pull the window toward you, allowing the window to pivot forward. DO NOT LET GO OF THE WINDOW. Gently, guide the window until it is resting, upside down, on the inner window.
Important: Do not clean the window while it is dangling upside down. Without question, most people clean tilt-ins while they are fully upside down. However, when cleaning a window the water naturally flows which way? Down, right? So, as the water flows down, and collects in a puddle as you clean, when you replace the window in its upright position, all that water that collected at the bottom, will flow down the outside of the window.
Step 5: Wet the window with your cleaning solution of choice (as per your chosen cleaning method). Hold the window parallel to the floor (slightly pitched toward the window frame, is best). The idea is to not let the cleaning solution flow to the top of the window.
Step 6: Whether you are cleaning the glass with a squeegee or with a towel, clean from the top to the bottom. It is important for the top of the window to be dry.
Step 7: Dry the perimeter of the glass with a lint-free cloth. This step is critical to keep droplets of water from streaking down the glass as you place it right-side up.
Step 8: Replace the window to its right-side up position. Look for any drips that may occur. If so, simply tilt the window in and dry the drips with a lint-free cloth.
Step 9: Repeat steps 4 through 8 for the exterior glass.
Step 10: Once the exterior of the upper and lower glass has been cleaned, clean the interior glass. Always clean the upper glass first because chances are, you are going to drip onto the lower glass.
Tips and Reminders:
- Work systematically to maximize your cleaning time. When on a window job, my preferred pattern is to start with the top floor and work my way down. Similarly, I like to work left-to-right. When I arrive on the top floor, begin with the windows in the room to my immediate left. I then continue around the house moving to the right until I have cleaned all the windows on that floor.
- Exemption to the rule: Although the luxury of cleaning tilt-in windows is to clean the inside and outside of the glass from the interior of the home, there are situations where it is actually easier (or necessary) to clean from outside. Some of the pitfalls you might encounter include:
- A window that is partially blocked by a piece of furniture that cannot easily be moved, such as a breakfront or armoire.
- A window that has a broken tilt-in mechanism or that is known to fall out of the track when it is tilted in. The spirit behind cleaning tilt in windows is to enjoy the ease and stress free cleanability of the tilt-in lifestyle. There is no point fighting with a window unless cleaning it from the outside is not possible.
- There is more than one type of tilt-in window on the market. A rare variety has a movable frame. Instead of grasping locks at the top of each window, these require the user to push the left or right side of the window frame to the side, creating just enough room to tilt the window in.
- USE CAUTION AND COMMON SENSE when operating a tilt-in window. NEVER force a window to open or close, as this can break the window. Broken glass poses a safety hazard.
- Now is a great time to clean the window sill.