Window washing is the way to see clearly now

With spring in full bloom and the sun wandering the sky more than half of every day, it might be an appropriate time for you to let all the light indoors that you can by washing the windows.

Coincidentally, one seven-day period in April is also designated as National Window Safety Week by the National Safety Council.

With assistance from the council and the folks at Simonton Windows, here are some tips to help put your best squeegee forward:

Never use a high-pressure spray. The extreme pressure could crack or destroy caulking around the units. Instead, take the time to clean the windows individually. If you have windows with vinyl frame, a soft cloth or ordinary long-handled soft-bristle brush and some mild detergent may be all that's necessary to maintain your windows. Do not use abrasive cleaners that may scratch the frame or glass.

Stain removal: To remove unexpected stains on vinyl windows and door frames (such as bubblegum, felt-tip pens, lipstick, motor oil, or top soil), try using Fantastik cleaner. For tougher stains (such as tar, pencil, or oil marks) use Soft Scrub. If the children decide to draw on the windows with crayon, Lestoil can often remove their creative efforts.

Tilt-in windows: It won't help you now, but when it's time to replace your windows, order those with a tilt-in feature. All cleaning takes place inside the home, so ladders are not necessary. With the release of a safety lock, the window sash can carefully drop (or swing) into the home to make cleaning fast and easy.

Clean the stripping: Vacuum around the edges of your weather stripping to remove dirt buildup. Carefully vacuum window screens regularly instead of removing them and cleaning with soap and water.

Sock it to them: Recycle old white cotton socks and use them for cleaning windowsills and frames. Slip the socks on your hands and you can "feel your way" toward a cleaner window. Try using a light combination of vinegar and water to gain sparkling glass.

Don't tamper: Never insert nails or screws in the interior or exterior of a window frame to hold up holiday decorations or lights. Window frames should never be tampered with or they can lose their ability to function properly. There's also the chance that something inserted in the frame could compromise the energy efficiency of the window or even puncture the waterproof channel of the frame.