Jul 5 2005
June 21 is the first official day of summer, a season when the main focus is clearly on the outdoors. But after a long winter, that focus may be a little blurry due to grimy glass windows and patio doors. To improve the summer view this season, JELD-WEN, a leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors, offers some advice on quickly and effectively sprucing up your windows and doors.
“Summer is a great time to spend a little extra effort caring for your windows and patio doors. The days are longer, the house fills with sunlight and the views to the garden are at their prime,” said Joyce Richter, JELD-WEN windows expert. “Properly cleaning and maintaining the glass in windows and doors will help you enjoy the season that much more.”
JELD-WEN recommends five simple steps for a clearer view:
- Use a combination of gentle ingredients to clean glass. JELD-WEN recommends mixing one teaspoon of baby shampoo to one gallon of water or 1 1/2 cups of vinegar to one gallon of water.
- Wash windows with the solution using a clean, soft cloth or sponge.
- Rinse with clean water.
- Promptly dry the glass thoroughly with a cloth.
- Dry the frame with a separate cloth.
Clean glass on a dry, overcast day. Intense sunlight can cause streaks as the solution may dry too quickly.
JELD-WEN also suggests that is a good time to check windows to see if the paint needs touching up and if the weatherstrip is functional. Properly maintaining paint and weatherstripping can help windows and doors last that much longer.
This also is the time to evaluate replacing your windows and doors with ENERGY STAR- qualified, Low-E glass versions to help save energy and beat the heat this season.
JELD-WEN also cautions against using a power washer or garden hose to clean windows or doors, which can cause seal failure and allow water to enter the home.
Avoid using metal tools, razor blades or other objects that can damage surfaces, scratch glass and remove exterior glass coating. Don’t allow aggressive cleaners to come in contact with vinyl, wood or metal-clad surfaces and be sure to clean up puddles that collect at glass edges, as this can damage window glazing. For hard-to-remove stains, label removal or paint clean up, visit www.jeld-wen.com/resources for a copy of JELD-WEN’s care and maintenance instructions. JELD-WEN, inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of reliable windows and doors.
Based in Klamath Falls, Ore., JELD-WEN began as a small Oregon millwork plant in 1960 and has grown into a company with more than 150 divisions and more than 20,000 employees worldwide. JELD-WEN is the official window, door and millwork provider of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour. JELD-WEN was the only window or door manufacturer to be named 2003 ENERGY STAR “Partner of the Year” by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Eight JELD-WEN product lines have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. For more information about the exceptional value and reliability of JELD-WEN products, or to find a dealer near you, please visit www.jeld-wen.com.