Why Autumn Is the Secret Window Cleaning Season
Have you ever noticed how much easier cleaning your windows seems on a mild day? It turns out, those gloomy, cloud-covered fall days—when it’s not freezing, but also not a sauna outside—are just right for window washing. In October, or whenever those overcast spells roll around in your area, the temperature is usually gentle enough: not so warm your cleaning solution dries instantly, not so cold that grime sticks around. Just make sure no rain is forecast for your cleaning session or the few hours after, unless you enjoy doing the same job twice!
Everyone has their favorite way of dealing with streaks: a cherished tip from Grandma here, a miracle store-bought spray there (often pricey and not always so miraculous, if we’re being honest). But if you’re looking for something different, inexpensive and brilliantly effective, keep reading.
The Ingredient Cleaning Pros Swear By
This is where a cleaning insider’s trick comes in! There’s a multi-talented, natural product, popular among cleaning pros and easy to find at your local drugstore or pharmacy: glycerin. Sure, you might recognize it as a staple in cosmetics—hello, hydration!—but not everyone knows it can shield surfaces, including glass, from grime and buildup. Best of all, this little lifesaver is budget-friendly: you should find a 250ml bottle (about 8.5 fluid ounces) for just a few dollars or pounds, depending on where you shop—pharmacies, cleaning supply stores, even big supermarkets.
How Does Glycerin Work Its Magic?
So, what’s the magic behind glycerin? This “natural sponge” creates a paper-thin, invisible layer on your window glass. The result: dust particles have a harder time sticking, water leaves fewer spots, and cleaning suddenly becomes remarkably easy. No more annoying streaks or endless buffing—those stressful redo sessions are officially canceled!
Your Step-by-Step Guide
- Pour 1 liter (just over 4 cups) of warm water into a container.
- Add 2 to 3 drops of vegetable glycerin.
- Grab two clean microfiber cloths and a spray bottle (especially handy for patio doors or large windows).
- Mix the glycerin thoroughly into the water. Fill the spray bottle or lightly soak one microfibre cloth with your homemade cleaner.
- Wipe your window from top to bottom—gently! You want to let the solution do the work, not your muscles.
- Let it sit for about 30 seconds, no longer, so it doesn’t get sticky.
- Take the second, perfectly dry microfiber cloth and buff away any moisture or streaks.
Your windows should stay gleaming for weeks at a time—sometimes up to two months, unless a wild winter storm hits. Even the most cleaning-averse folks will appreciate this: potentially, you’ll only need one extra quick clean all winter!
Last essential tip: if your windows are especially grimy, wash them the usual way before breaking out your glycerin mix for that long-lasting dazzling finish.
