Home Staging: Cleaning Windows, Screens, and Mirror Tips

Buyers love homes that sparkle and shine, inside and out. One low-cost way to stage your home is to make sure your windows, screens and mirrors shimmer.

Cleaning Windows Tips

Sparkling clean windows don't show up; dirty windows do! Even smudge-free windows benefit from a shine.

Wait until the sun isn't shining on your windows. This helps you see the surface better. Also, your cleaning liquid won't dry too fast. I wondered why our windows attracted a lot of dust. Then I discovered that using home window cleaners purchased at the grocery store--you know, the blue stuff--actually makes the windows "sticky."
Use 4 - 6 onces of vinegar per gallon of hot water. Change your mixture and rags often. Dip a 100% cotton cleaning cloth in hot water and vinegar and wring out excess before wiping the window to loosen dirt. This method is faster than taking time to spray.

Use a squeegee in a pattern from top to bottom or side to side. When you clean the outside and inside of the window, alternate the pattern on each side-- top to bottom on the inside and side to side on the outside. Switching helps you to see which side has problem streaks.

Only use a good squeegee. Wipe off the dirty water with newspapers between each stroke. Replace nicked squeegee blades that cause streaks. If you do not have a squeegee, newspaper dries and sparkles, whereas paper towels or cotton rags leave lint behind.

Screens

Window and door screens depend on your local climate and insects. We take down all screens because they obscure the view of nature. Store the screens in case the buyers want them. Most buyers don't notice that the screens are down-- in fact, no one has even asked us about the window screens.

However, if you want to leave your screens up, you must make sure they don't obscure your view. The easiest way to clean is to use a damp rag dipped in vinegar and hot water to wipe the screens down. If your screens need a thorough cleaning, take them down and spray with a strong hose.

Mirrors

Use the window washing system to clean large mirrors. Another way to clean smaller mirrors is to use ammonia or rubbing alcohol and hot water with newspapers. The newsprint makes them sparkle!

Don't let dirty windows, screens or mirrors cloud your buyers vision of their perfect new home.



(c) Copyright 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher Home Staging