If you’ve been searching for an all-in-one cleaning tool, you might have heard of a steam cleaner. They’re incredibly unique because they give you the ability to properly clean your home without the use of harsh chemicals and other toxic items.
Many home owners understand the benefits of using a steam cleaner on their floors, but did you also know that you can learn how to use a steam cleaner on windows?
All of the manufacturers that have their own line of cleaners such as Bissell, Shark, and Dyson, work to create a line of products that are designed for an all-in-one clean. This not only helps to make cleaning your home easier but faster as well.
If you’re someone who has begun to notice streaks and dirt caked onto your windows, it may be time to pull out the steam cleaner.
Why Use Steam Cleaners vs. Chemical Cleaners for Windows?
There are plenty of reasons as to why you should choose a steam cleaner instead of traditional chemical cleaners for your windows.
- Non-Toxic Cleaning: The first, and most obvious, reason to opt for steam instead of chemicals is because it’s safer and non-toxic. When you clean with a chemical window cleaner you’re spraying a substance that is going to go into the air. This can be dangerous for anyone in your home that has respiratory sensitivities.
- No More Storing Household Cleaners: It can be concerning to have a child running around a house where there are cleaning products. It can also be incredibly difficult to keep them out of cabinets that they shouldn’t be getting into, especially if you don’t use baby proofing. Instead of having to constantly watch your kids when they’re around the cleaning closet, you can get rid of all chemical solutions.
- Streak-Free Shine: We’re all aware of how impossible it can be to get rid of streaks when you clean with traditional window cleaners. Even if the bottle says that it doesn’t leave streaks behind, it can take a lot of time to achieve the perfect glisten. Steam cleaners give you a perfect streak-free shine the first time around.
- Removing Caked on Dirt and Grime: There are dozens of things that can dirty a window, from the greasy hands of children to dust and dirt flying around during a storm. Unless you take the time to soak all of the dirt with chemicals, it’s just not going to come off. That is until you use your steam cleaner. With the combination of hot steam and a soft cloth, you’ll easily be able to loosen any type of caked on dirt for a perfect clean.
- Easy-to-Use: You don’t even need to worry about buying a special steam mop designed specifically for windows, as a regular steam cleaner is easy enough to use throughout your home. Typically these units are portable and offer cleaning attachments to help you get into all of the hard to reach areas.
The Steps for Using a Steam Cleaner on Windows
Follow these great step-by-step instructions to have perfectly cleaned windows throughout your home.
Step 1: Finding the Right Time
The best way to make sure that your windows don’t get streaky is to plan your window washing for the perfect time of day. Typically you’re not going to want to clean while the sun is shining directly on the window, as it can cause the water to dry too quickly and leave marks behind.
Ideally, start to work on the windows where the sun isn’t shining and then move to the other side of the house throughout the day.
Step 2: Starting the Steam Cleaner
Getting your steam cleaner ready is incredibly simple, because all you have to do is remove the water tank and fill it with water (preferably distilled). Once the tank is full, place it back on the steam cleaner and plug it into the wall. Typically the cleaner will heat up quickly and an indicator light will tell you when it’s ready to be used.
It’s recommended to choose a constant stream of steam instead of a burst setting because you’ll want to make sure the right amount of vapor is touching all parts of the window.
Step 3: Treating Tough Spots
Before you start the overall clean, it’s recommended to pay attention to tough spots of dirt first. By placing the steam cleaner closer to the window, you’re going to concentrate the heated steam on caked on dirt. This will help to loosen it so you don’t have to go over the same spots multiple times.
Once all of the caked on dirt has been thoroughly soaked, you can move onto step 4.
Step 4: Cleaning the Windows
Now it’s time to clean the entire window. When you’re holding your steam cleaner, ensure that you work in small sections from the top to bottom to get the deepest possible clean. Every inch should be taken into account, even if it doesn’t look as dirty as the others. The last thing you’ll want is to have dirt from untouched spots dripping down into the clean parts of your window.
Step 5: Buffing the Windows
Depending on the type of steam cleaner you choose, some may produce more steam than others. If you find that there is a lot of excess water left behind, it’s time to break out a squeegee and a soft microfiber cloth. With the help of the squeegee, you can remove all of the excess water and then use the soft cloth to buff away any overlapping spots that may turn into streaks.
On the other hand, if your steam cleaner doesn’t leave lot of excess water behind, it can still be beneficial to buff away residual wet spots that could turn into watermarks and streaks.
Understanding how to use a steam cleaner on windows may just make cleaning your home much easier than you could have imagined. There’s no need to pull out a ladder, a bottle of cleaning solution, and paper towels only to seemingly make the windows dirtier than before. With the help of steam, all traces of dirt and grime will easily be removed in less time than you could imagine.
