Gleaming Windows and Blinds

All you really need is water
Cool, clear water is the choice of most professional window washers. If windows are very dirty, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of ammonia or vinegar per gallon of water. Use only, one; if combined, they'll neutralize each other.

BONUS TIP >> Never use sudsy ammonia on windows and mirrors. It leaves streaks. Use clear ammonia instead.


But for really clean windows
One of the best window-cleaning solutions can be found right in your medicine cabinet. Pure rubbing alcohol removes dirt easily and leaves windows crystal clear.

Equip yourself
If you do a lot of window washing, invest in a professional-quality squeegee with a brass or stainless-steel holder. When the rubber blade wears out, turn it over and use the opposite edge.

Cleaning small window panes
To make washing small windows easier, custom-fit a squeegee to the windowpane. Remove the rubber blade from its holder and trim it to a length slightly wider that the width of the windowpane. Then use a hacksaw to cut the holder to the exact width of the pane.

BONUS TIP >> To clean the corners of small window frames, use a cotton swab dipped in cleaning solution.

Which side of the glass is that spot on?
Here's an easy way to tell whether the spots you've missed are on the inside of the window or the outside. Use horizontal strokes to clean one side of the window and vertical strokes for the other.

Save those paper towels
For drying windows, a wad of crumpled newspaper works just as well as expensive paper towels. Wear rubber gloves to keep your hands free of ink.

Keeping frost off windows
Want to prevent frost forming on windows? Add 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol or antifreeze to each quart of wash water. Or moisten a cloth with glycerin, and rub it across the insides of the windows.

Cleaning fiberglass curtains
Wash fiberglass curtains by hand in the bathtub. This way you don't have the unpleasant task of removing the tiny glass fibers from the washing machine, since you simply rinse then from the rub.

Rehanging curtains with ease

• If curtains must be rehung on specific windows, mark them with colored thread inside the hem: one stitch for the first panel, two for the second panel, and so on.
• If just-washed curtains don't hand well, slip a curtain rod through the bottom hem of each panel and leave it there for a few days.
• When you was curtains, wash the curtain rods as well. Then apply wax to the rods, and the curtains will slip on and move easily.

Dusting Venetian blinds
If you don't have a special duster for your Venetian blinds, wear an old pair the thick absorbent cloth gloves and wipe the slats by hand.

BONUS TIP >> Touch up soiled areas on white Venetian blind tapes with liquid shoe polish.