Today's task is to clean your windows and screens outside. It is also the last day of working on our windows!
Remove your screens from your windows. Some of mine I can remove from inside and a few I have to remove from the outside.
Next, fill a bucket about half way with water. Add a few drops of dish soap and a splash of vinegar. Along with your microfiber cloth, this is what you will use to scrub your window glass and screens.
Work from the top down on your windows, cleaning the upper glass first, then the lower glass. You don't need to squeeze out your rag very much, you want it pretty wet.
Use your squeegee to wipe the window.
Take your screens and spray them off with the hose. If they are really dirty use your cloth or a soft brush to scrub them clean. Spray them off again and let them dry before re-installing.
I don't have any experience cleaning second story windows since my house is only one level. I did find some helpful hints online and if anyone wants to share what works for them in the comments, I would love it!
Obviously you can do the same steps I listed above while using a ladder, while being very careful. You can try spraying the windows with a hose and using a squeegee with a long extendable handle. I don't typically use chemical cleaners like Windex, but they do make two products specifically for cleaning your windows. One allows you to use a large microfiber pad on a long pole, and the other is a spray you attach to your hose that will dry streak free.
Lastly, you can check to see if you windows fold down to the inside so you can reach the outside glass. About half of our windows do this. First, remove the screen. My windows that allow me to do this have two little pull levers on either side of the top of the bottom pane (where you lock and unlock the window). You pull this in and pull the window towards you from the top.