You might think that a little rain or “help” from your sprinklers can help to keep your windows clean… So what are all those odd blotches left over afterward? If you have hard water, or if the rain contains minerals like calcium and magnesium, you are likely looking at hard water stains.
On top of that, anyone living near the coast will have to deal with salt deposits on their windows. Glass might appear smooth, but it’s actually a porous material. Minerals and salts in water are deposited into these millions of tiny pores, and then are left behind when the water evaporates. The result is those cloudy and unattractive stains on your windows.
So what can you do about it? First, you might want to consider the location of your sprinklers. You want to water the whole yard, of course, but moving them even a few feet can ensure that water hits the ground just in front of your house, rather than the house itself. Another option is to install an in-ground irrigation system that simple waters at ground level.
As for the stains, take care not to scrub or scrape at them with anything abrasive. Otherwise you could scratch your windows and make them even less attractive.
Soap and water won’t work well for hard water stains. Instead, you need a solution of half vinegar and half water, because vinegar breaks down and softens up minerals. Use a soft cloth to apply the vinegar solution to windows, and repeat as needed until the hard water stains are gone.
As for salt, you can use the same vinegar solution or try a lime spray specifically geared toward salt removal. Use a soft cloth or plastic bristled brush, but take care not to bear down on the glass too hard.
Removing hard water or salt stains definitely requires time and a bit of elbow grease. If you’d rather spend your effort elsewhere, give us a call and we’ll be happy to give you a quote on professional window cleaning services.