Spring Checklist: Clean Your Windows (Here’s How the Pros Do It)
Spring is here, and if you’re working through your home maintenance checklist, one task should be near the top: cleaning your windows.
After a Central New York winter, glass, screens, and tracks collect a surprising amount of dirt, salt, and debris. A proper cleaning doesn’t just improve appearance—it helps your windows function better and last longer.
Here’s how the pros recommend getting it done right!
- Pick the Right Day
Avoid cleaning windows in direct sunlight. Heat causes the solution to dry too quickly, which leads to streaking. Instead, choose a cloudy day or clean early in the morning or later in the evening for best results.
- Start with the Screens
Before you touch the glass, clear the way. For most standard windows, start by disengaging the locks, opening the window, and removing the screen.
Pro tip: Many screens use finger latches and are spring-loaded on one side. To remove them, compress the springs, push the screen outward, and pull it inside through the open window.
We recommend taking your screens outside once a year and hosing them off. This removes built-up pollen, dirt, and dust that can block both your view and airflow. Let them air dry while you move on to the glass.
- Cleaning Window Sashes
One of the biggest advantages of modern double-hung windows is the tilt-in feature—it eliminates the need for ladders.
- Bring the top sash down
- Engage the release latches
- Tilt the sash inward
From inside your home, you can safely clean the exterior glass with your preferred cleaning solution.
Casement (crank) windows require a slightly different approach:
- Unlock the window and crank it open
- Remove the interior screen
- Clean the exterior glass and the sash from inside or just outside the opening
With the window fully open, most areas are easy to reach.
Pro tip: No cleaner on hand? Clean windows with a mixture white vinegar and warm water (add a few drops of dish soap for heavy grime)!
- Clean More Than Just the Glass
Don’t stop at the pane. Make sure to:
- Vacuum or wipe out window tracks
- Clean frames and sills
- Rinse and dry screens
This improves both appearance and overall performance.
- Work Top to Bottom
Always start at the top of the window and work your way down. This prevents drips from hitting areas you’ve already cleaned.
- Dry Properly
Use a clean microfiber cloth or squeegee to remove excess water. Leaving moisture behind is one of the main causes of streaking.
- Know When Cleaning Isn’t Enough
If your windows still look foggy after cleaning or you notice condensation between panes it may be a sign of seal failure.
At that point, cleaning won’t fix the issue. Replacement may be the better long-term solution.
- Reassembly & Finishing Touches
Once the glass is clean and screens are fully dry, reassemble everything:
- Tilt-in windows: Return the sashes to their tracks until they click into place
- Screens: Reinstall by setting the spring-loaded side first, then securing the latch
- Check fit: Larger screens can flex slightly—make sure they’re fully seated
- Lock the window: Ensure everything is closed and sealed properly
A proper window cleaning is one of the simplest ways to refresh your home for spring. And if your windows aren’t performing the way they should, it may be time to take the next step.
That’s where New York Sash comes in, by helping homeowners across Central New York upgrade to windows that look better, perform better, and last longer.
Stop into the New York Sash Showroom to take a look at window styles and options on display and pick up your complimentary window cleaning kit!
