DIY Network

Windows Windows From "Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean" episode DQOC-115

Today we are letting in the light. There's nothing like a clean window to brighten your day and bring the outdoors in clearly and cleanly. We are making natural cleaning recipes for any size job, as well as learning about the tools and tips that will let you clean like a pro. Then we'll look at cleaning window screens with the snap of a wrist, and we'll witness the restoration of a spectacular historic stained-glass window that's been professionally cleaned and restored by masters of the trade.

advertisement

Q: What's the best way to clean a screen that's been sprayed by a cat?

A: Clean the screen with a paste of water and baking soda, which acts as an odor neutralizer, then rinse well. If the stain remains, lay the screen on a flat surface and sprinkle dry baking soda over the screen until the odor disappears.

Q: Is there a way to remove a small bleach stain from a dark T-shirt?

A: Combine colors of permanent markers to match the color of the T-shirt and use them to color in the bleach spot. Because the markers are permanent, the color won't fade from the T-shirt.

Figure A

Mixing Window Cleaners

Tough-Job Window Cleaner

Steps:

1. Pour a pint of rubbing alcohol, which provides the acidic cleaner for the window, into a container.

2. Add two tablespoons of liquid dish soap, which works well on hard mineral stains (figure A).

3. Add two tablespoons of ammonia.

4. Stir together. Do not add water to the mixture.

5. Use on very dirty windows with a scrubbing sponge or a sea sponge. It's important for the sponge to have "teeth" or "fingers" to its texture to dig into the dirt and grime. A cellulose sponge won't give the same result as a rough sponge.

6. Rinse thoroughly and dry.

Figure B

Mild Cleaning Solution

Steps:

1. Pour two quarts of warm water into a container.

2. Slowly add a half-cup of cornstarch and stir. Don't worry if the mixture is lumpy: it will still clean without problems. The starch will leave a natural, brilliant shine on the windows.

3. If possible, clean the window with a natural sea sponge, since its thousands of scrubbing "fingers" do a superior cleaning job (figure B).

4. Buff dry with paper towels or lint-free rags. The shine from this natural cleaning solution is immediately visible.

5. Do not clean windows with newspapers. They may clean the window, but they can leave difficult-to-remove marks on the paint and trim.

Tip: Wash interior and exterior windows and screens about once a year. People with allergies should wash them more often.