The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/120907
The Press-Dispatch ��� Spring Home and Garden D-13 ��� Wednesday, April 10, 2013 Let the light in How to clean dirty windows Dirty windows are unsightly, and they can prevent beneficial sunlight from entering a home. Cleaning windows need not be done every week, but it shouldn���t be overlooked completely, either. While it certainly may be a chore to clean windows, there are ways to make the task much more tolerable. Curb appeal can be very important when selling a home. Even a home with a perfectly manicured lawn and the newest roofing and siding can seem unappealing if the windows are dirty. Keeping windows clean requires a good deal of work. For the acrophobics, cleaning second-story windows can test the nerves. Having the right tools on hand and a strategy in place will make the job easier to manage. Cleaning windows Cleaning windows won���t necessarily be easy, but the following nine-step process can make the task less difficult and time-consuming. 1. Choose a day when it is overcast so you will not be blinded by the sun while cleaning. This also helps prevent streaking. Begin by gathering what you���ll need to get the task done. Having everything at the ready will enable you to move from one window to the next. Here are the basic supplies you will need: ������ cleaning solution ������ extension pole to ������ cloth, newspaper or reach high windows squeegee ������ vacuum ������ towel ������ ladder or step stool ������ spray bottle ������ garden hose 2. Take down and clean drapery or blinds when cleaning the windows. Remove the curtains so you will have an unobstructed surface with which to work. 3. Start with the interior side of the windows, as they are easier to access. Place a towel on the sill to catch any drops so the sill or the floor will stay dry. 4. Spray a lint-free cloth or the window directly with the cleaning solution. The edges and corners of the window tend to accumulate the most grime, so begin by cleaning those areas first. Once they are clean and you will not exchange dirt to the center of the window, work on the middle. Wipe the windows in a horizontal direction to help alleviate dripping. 5. To create a streak-free surface, some people prefer to use a squeegee to drag out any pockets of moisture for more even drying. Be sure to wipe the rubber strip of the squeegee after each pass on the window. You may choose to buff out any other streaks with newspaper. 6. Vacuum the window sill and frame afterward to catch any dust and debris. 7. Repeat the process for all interior windows. 8. Move outdoors and start off by spraying the window with a garden hose to loosen any of the accumulated grime. Use your cleaning solution to dissolve the rest of the dirt. You may want to let it sit on the window if there is stubborn grime. Repeat the cleaning process used indoors for each window. 9. If exterior second-floor windows are hard to reach, consider using a ladder and extension pole to extend your reach. Upper windows will not be scrutinized as closely as lower windows, so you may have a greater margin for error. If the windows are simply too high up, rely on a professional window cleaner to get the job done rather than risk falls or other injuries. NOW OPeN Why are Proven Winners Plants Better? 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You don���t have to be an environmentalist to compost, either. Compost, which is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled and used for fertilizing soil, is great for your garden and will help reduce landfill waste. In addition, composting in your home garden will help you save money. ���Using compost means your garden will be more cost-effective because you will spend less on fertilizers, insecticides and fungicides for a given harvest of any crop,��� says Brett L. Markham, author of ���The Mini Farming Guide to Composting,��� the latest in his Mini Farming book series. Across the country people are embracing the concept of self-sufficiency and preparedness, ���mini farming��� anywhere, from rooftop urban gardens to suburban backyards to larger land plots. Growing food is easier than ever and composting is a huge part of this movement. Markham offers these gardening tips to get started on composting: ������ Composting is a natural form of recycling, so use food waste, grass clippings, coffee grounds and even paper as compost. Just be sure to shred the paper first to speed up the process. ������ Start your compost pile in a convenient spot, and make sure it is semishaded and well-drained. ������ Add bulking agents such as wood chips to accelerate the breakdown of organic materials, allowing the finished material to fully stabilize and mature through a curing process. Add leaves, straw or hay along with grass clippings or green manures for plenty of bulk. Each layer should be no more than two inches so that the grass clippings or leaves don���t get matted down to form a layer impermeable to air. ������ Keep the compost moist. Either water it yourself or let rain take care of it. The compost should be moist, but not soaked. ������ Cover the compost pile to help retain moisture and heat. 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