If you’re selling your home, there are some things you can take care of on your own to make the process easier. For instance, doing some cleaning can save you costs in the long run and expedite the sale. Let’s cover three major ways of preparing to sell your home: Clean your windows. Wash the siding and the roof. Depersonalize and declutter the interior and exterior. By doing these tasks, you can help your potential buyers imagine their new life in the house. Here’s how to do it right, whether you choose to DIY or enlist the help of a service professional.
Window cleaning is a chore that doesn’t need to be difficult. However, when you have an upstairs window that doesn’t open, trying to figure out how to get the outside clean can be a real conundrum. Continue reading "Windows that Don’t Open: Tips on How to Clean Them"
Magnetic window cleaners are a unique and innovative tool that have increased in popularity in recent years. However, you might be wondering whether or not they actually work. The truth is, magnetic window cleaners are not nearly as efficient as they are made out to be. Continue reading "Do Magnetic Window Cleaners Work?"
Nothing is as tough on your windows as hard water. Hard water is a term that is often associated with large cities or a very industrialized area. The nasty truth about hard water is that it can rear its ugly head at any time. Hard water is simply water that has a high mineral content. It is formed when water percolates through deposits of limestone and chalk. The main minerals that make up hard water are calcium and magnesium carbonates.
Almost any water that hasn’t gone through a softening process will have trace amounts of these minerals. A lot of homes in areas where hard water is prevalent are equipped with softeners that use sodium to filter the water. This method is enough to make your water taste fine, but it may not be enough to prevent deposits on your windows. Continue reading "Hard Water Stains on Windows: What to Know"
Updated on 08/18/2023
Whether you’re refreshing your trim with a new coat of paint or removing old marks, taking paint off windows can sound intimidating. You don’t want to scratch your glass, after all. However, here at Window Genie we’ve got you covered with our complete guide for how to remove paint from glass.
What if we were to tell you that removing paint from your glass is much easier than preventing it from getting on your windows in the first place? With a few simple tools and techniques, flawless windows can be achieved.
If you want your windows to be professionally cleaned, check out Window Genie’s elite window cleaning services here. Otherwise, read ahead!
How to Remove Paint from Windows in 4 Steps:
Tools You'll Need
There are a variety of tools you can use. We recommend using a Triumph Scraper - it's meant to remove paint from glass and is easy to use. If you prefer something a bit safer, there are plastic options that cannot accidentally cut you.Step 1: Clean the Window
Before you start the paint removal process, you’ll want to clean the window. Wipe it down with warm water and an old cloth to get the top layer of grime off.
Step 2: Use a Razor Blade to Remove Paint
Once the window is clean, take a razor blade or paint scraper. Set it at a 45 degree angle, and begin to push the blade away from you in smooth strokes. Don’t pull the razor back towards you - pick up the blade and bring it back to the start with every scrape.
Step 3: Apply Solvent
Apply a solvent for glass cleaning to the window once the paint has been removed. This will help remove any remaining grime.
Step 4: Wipe Clean
Take a clean, dry cloth and buff away the solvent, leaving your window shiny and new.
How to Get Paint off Windows Without Using a Razor Blade
Tools You'll Need
Our favorite is Scraperite plastic razor blades - they look like your typical razor blade, but are much safer! These won't work as well as steel on really tough glass jobs, but they're worth a try. They are especially effective on getting accidental drips of paint off surfaces such as your wood floor or wall, however. In addition to using straight-edge blades, you can consider using 0000 steel wool. This is a super fine grade and is a personal preference over blades for some. Many claim it increases the threat of scratching, but if done properly with a fresh, clean pad, can remove a lot of paint in little time.Step 1: Make a Natural Solvent (water and vinegar)
To get started, make a natural solvent out of water and vinegar. You’ll want to use 1 part vinegar to 1 part water, so 1 cup and 1 cup of each should suffice to get started. Ideally, you should boil the water-vinegar solvent to heat it up for the cleaning process.
Step 2: Apply Homemade Solvent to the Window
Take a clean rag or cloth and dip it in the solvent. Then, apply it to the windows and paint you’d like to remove. You may need to scrub a few times to get the paint off. Repeat solvent application as many times as necessary.
Step 3: Wipe Away Paint from the Window
Once the paint is coming off, you’ll want to take the cloth and carefully rub away the remaining paint.
Step 4: Touch Up
Use a glass cleaner, and wipe up the windows with a clean, dry cloth. Enjoy!
What to Avoid When Scraping Paint Off Windows
The number one DON'T to removing paint from your windows is that you NEVER scrape or scrub glass while it's dry. ALWAYS use a lubricating solution to avoid friction that can lead to scratching. Most solutions can be made with a combination of common household products such as water, vinegar, and a few drops of dish liquid. Your favorite glass cleaner can also offer the necessary moisture needed to help your tools glide across the glass. Our WG-57 Glass Cleaner is ammonia free and has a clinging foam quality that helps you to see where you've applied it and where you may need more while removing paint. Ask your local Genie for a can or two! Find your closest Window Genie location today.
Need Help Removing Paint from Your Windows?
Some technique tips we can offer: always hold the blade at a 45 degree angle to the glass push the blade towards the frame, but do not push into the gasket (could break your seals) lift the blade after making a pass, do not drag it back and forthWe hope you’re better prepared to start removing that pesky paint on your windows… but when in doubt, call a professional. Window Genie is prepared to help you with all your window cleaning needs. Contact us today for a quote or explore our site for more services.
Window Genie is excited to be featured in Redfin’s latest article, “House Cleaning Tips: 6 Cleaning Mistakes You’re Making and How to Fix Them.” We were chosen along with a select group of experts from across the country, from those living in Washington, DC all the way to those living in Austin, Texas. Check out our contribution: Forgetting to clean window screens. There is a common misconception that rain causes dirty windows, but that’s not the case! Rain passing through a dirty screen will carry dirt and debris which causes those splotches after it rains. It’s important to brush and rinse window screens each time you clean your windows to ensure they stay cleaner, longer. Read the full article to learn what other cleaning mistakes you’re making and how to fix them.
Spring has sprung and the cleaning has begun! It has a nice ring to it, but the truth is after a long winter there is a lot of work to be done inside and out of your home. While the weather in the spring gets warmer, it is still bipolar. A lot of customers want to get their windows cleaned, but always fear the inevitable April shower.
Continue reading "Why Are My Windows Dirty After It Rains?" Window cleaning isn't rocket science - we'll be the first to admit it! Continue reading "Best Practices for Squeegee Window Cleaning"
While it is fairly typical to see during wintertime, interior window condensation isn’t just a common nuisance; it can be a sign of heat loss. Heat loss = high utility bills… no thank you! As a responsible homeowner, you’ll want to understand the root of the issue, whether it has potential to damage your home, and what you can do to prevent it. Continue reading "How to Stop Condensation on Windows in Winter"
Windows get dirty year round. For a large part of the country this makes it very difficult to clean them three months out of the year. The most frustrating thing about this is that winter is generally the time of year when windows can get the dirtiest. Melting snow dragging dirt and debris onto windows and the helpful yet annoying salt that seems to cover everything.
What makes cleaning windows in the winter so difficult is obviously sub-freezing temperatures. Water freezing before it can be squeegeed off is infuriating. Warm water is huge no-no because it can cause your glass to crack. So what can you do? We have a simple formula that will make cleaning your windows in freezing temperatures just as easy as cleaning them on a spring day.
Continue reading "Cleaning Windows in Freezing Temps"
