Window cleaning may not be top of all your chores, but if you neglect your windows for too long, you’re left with dust and grime that can prevent much-needed sunlight from pouring into your home.
It’s not a good thing for houseplants, and the lack of natural light can even put a damper on your mood during the day.
Plus, you might also be dealing with thick streaks, resulting from improperly cleaning your windows, which are unsightly in an otherwise perfect room.
Luckily, outdoor lighting expert Rob Chadwick at CGC Interiors, has claimed there’s an easy way to get your windows or patio doors to gleam – it’s something you might have plenty of.
White vinegar is typically the go-to household item when it comes to cleaning windows, but the expert recommends using something different.
According to the expert, “using tea bags to clean windows is a natural and effective method to achieve a streak-free shine”.
Shining a light on why this method works, Rob said: “The tannic acid in black tea helps break down grease and grime on the windows.
“The tea leaves a natural shine on the glass without any chemical residue. To keep the cost down further, store leftover tea bags in an air-tight jar before making up a batch of cleaning solution.”
Equipment required:
For this method, start by boiling water and adding a few used black tea bags. Let them steep for about 10 to 15 minutes until the tea is strong.
Allow the tea to cool to room temperature before transferring to a spray bottle – this makes it easier to apply the solution to the windows.
It is vital to ensure the tea has cooled before applying it to the windows to avoid any risk of cracking the glass due to temperature differences.
Spray the tea solution generously onto the window surface. If you don’t have a spray bottle, you can dip a cloth into the tea and wipe the window.
Use a microfibre cloth to wipe the window in a circular motion, removing dirt and grime.
For larger windows, you can use a make-shift squeegee after applying the tea solution. Start at the top and pull the squeegee down in a straight line, wiping the blade with a clean cloth after each stroke.
After, make sure to regularly clean your windows to prevent heavy build-up of dirt and grime, which makes cleaning easier and more effective.
