Coastal air offers that unique mix of salt and moisture that makes beach towns inviting and so, so irresistible. However, the ocean breeze carries actual salt that deposits on the surfaces of your home, including the many windows and glass doors located in and around your home.
The challenge for homeowners in areas like Jacksonville, FL is keeping those windows clean. It’s also important to know when it’s time to replace broken or outdated windows with quality, affordable products like aluminum windows. Hey, it may actually save you money in the long run!
What Causes Salt to Build Up on Coastal Windows?
Coastal residents know that salt build up on windows is inevitable. No matter the quality of your windows, living close to the ocean causes salt to deposit on your home’s surfaces including windows. Normally, the salt deposits form because of salt carried in the ocean breeze. However, additional salt build-up may happen after particularly aggressive storms, including hurricanes and Nor’easters.
When condensation hits your windows, the water eventually evaporates but the salt in the water remains stuck to your windows. When salt build-up is not managed, it can lead to premature deterioration of your windows. It’s important to protect against this.
If you live in a coastal home where the windows haven’t been properly maintained, you may want to consider having a window company inspect your windows. You might find that your best decision is to replace your current windows and start from scratch with beautiful, updated windows.
If your windows haven’t reached a point where they’re beyond repair, now’s the time to start taking better care of your windows. You can begin by learning how to keep your windows clean. For coastal homes in areas like Jax, it’s essential to regularly clean your windows. Lucky for you, we’ve made it easy:
Six Steps to Maintain Clean Windows in Coastal Towns Like Jacksonville, FL
Stay on Top of it!
The best way to keep your windows looking good all year long is to stay ahead of build-up and deterioration. If you only clean your windows once a year, you’ll find that over time, the integrity of your windows will start to suffer. Plus, they’ll be much harder to clean.
The more often you’re able to clean your windows, the less salt residue will build up. Make a schedule and create cleaning reminders in your calendar so you don’t forget about cleaning your windows. Usually, cleaning windows once a quarter will help manage salt accumulation.
Rinse Windows Regularly
You may not have time to do a deep clean of your windows regularly. However, it’s likely you can rinse your windows more frequently. Simply hosing off your windows every few weeks can keep the amount of salt reduced. However, you may have streaks if you don’t squeegee off the water.
This is especially true when a big storm hits. Try to rinse your windows with fresh water quickly after the storm subsides. This regular maintenance will make a big difference when you do your quarterly window cleaning.
Clean Windows with Vinegar
When the time comes to dig in and clean your windows, stay clear of the fancy specialty window cleaning products. Vinegar is your best tool for cleaning salt residue from windows. Invest in a quality spray bottle to fill with the vinegar.
Spray the vinegar onto your windows liberally. Let the vinegar sit for several minutes to allow time for the vinegar to loosen the salt stains. After a few minutes, scrub the window with a window-safe cloth or sponge.
Once the glass is scrubbed clean, use a squeegee to remove the liquid. Repeat this process on all external glass windows and doors.
Use Baking Soda for Tough Stains
If you tried unsuccessfully to clean the window’s salt stains with vinegar, move on to baking soda. Baking soda is gentle enough not to scratch windows.
Wet a sponge and dip in baking soda. Spread the baking soda on the window and allow it to sit for a few minutes but not until dry. Then, wet a clean cloth and wipe off all of the baking soda.
The salt stain should now be removed. In order to avoid leaving behind any baking soda residue, repeat the vinegar cleaning step above. Always use a squeegee to remove water from windows.
Dry Windows Thoroughly
To avoid streaks on your windows, you must dry windows thoroughly. You may use either a dry cloth or even crumpled newspaper to dry windows. The key is to remove any remaining moisture and do not allow the windows to air dry.
Hire a Professional
For especially dirty or hard to reach windows, your best option may be to hire a professional. Choose a window cleaning company that is licensed and insured. Stay away from window cleaners that price their services too low. While it may seem like a good deal, you may find that you get what you pay for.
For homes near the water in areas like Jacksonville, FL, consider having the windows cleaned every three months. Most window cleaning companies will be happy to set you up on a regular cleaning schedule.
Here at American Window Products, we understand the importance of clean, well-cared for windows. We specialize in window installation in coastal areas. Contact American Window Products for a free in-home consultation and estimate if you need a fresh start by updating your current windows.