Category: Exterior

12 Stunning Small Deck Ideas for Your Backyard On A Budget

Do you want a nice and cozy deck in the backyard but it’s out of your budget? Not only you but many people step back when it comes to setting up a deck as it seems highly expensive. Don’t worry. In this guide, you’ll find the best small deck ideas on a budget.

Sometimes, having a beautiful front yard landscape and structure is not sufficient to make your home unique. A small but creative deck in the backyard can be a trendy addition to the home.

The deck is a great place to spend time with family and friends or host a party. Further, it not only creates an amazing visual appearance but also increases property value.

So, if you wish to build a small deck outside the home, here’re some low-budget deck ideas for you.

1. Wooden Deck

Wood is an affordable material to build and design a deck. Many people prefer wooden decks for their natural look, sustainability and high durability features.

You can build it in a small space and make it a comfortable spot. A wooden deck is ideal for hosting a grill or pool party for friends. A small deck outside the living room is a great way to throw a big party.

2. Staining the Deck and Place Railings

There’s another great way to redecorate your old deck or build a new one. You can stain the deck to make it waterproof and protect it from moisture, rot or mold.

Then, you can place railings to add extra security. This will also add comfort to the backyard deck.

3. Add Benches

Benches can be a great option for your backyard deck if you have a big family or love to invite guests more often. They looks very stylish and you don’t need to spend much money on them. You can even make some benches by your own and give them attractive looks.

This will make a lot of sitting place so that you can host dinners, through parties and spend some precious time with your family and friends.

4. Build A Stone and Brick Patio

You can create a welcoming feature to the deck with the attractive stone and brick patio. It’s easy to maintain and adds a nicer look to your deck. This may be time-consuming, but you can make it by yourself with the right tools and a proper design.

5. Add A Fire Pit and Pergola

The next idea you can try to make your backyard look stunning is by adding a fire pit and pergola. A pergola is an outdoor garden structure that creates a shaded walkway or sitting area of vertical pillars supporting cross beams and rafters. It’s not very expensive and can be made easily with durable wood.

Then you can make the sitting arrangement under the shade and impress your guests.

6. Floating Pallet Deck

If you have piles of wood pallets stacked in the corner, you can build a DIY floating deck. This type of deck isn’t attached to the house and they look like floating above the ground.

While building it, make gaps between the pallets. This will help in air circulation and give a different look than a conventional deck. Alternatively, you can try an interlocking style wooden pallet deck for long-lasting.

If you want the deck in contrasting colors, paint the wooden flooring with a deeper hue and maintain the raw wood color.

To complete the deck design, place a fire pit in the middle of the deck to get a warm feel while sitting there.

7. Install An Outdoor Kitchen

Since a deck is a common place for dining and gathering, installing an outdoor kitchen can be a great addition.

Stainless steel kitchen station is an inexpensive option that comes in different configuration styles. It’s easy to build, lightweight, recyclable and requires low maintenance.

8. Build A Pool or Jacuzzi

It’s great fun to hang out with friends in a pool on your backyard deck. Depending on the wood’s durability, you can easily build an above-ground pool deck or jacuzzi. But make sure that your deck is strong enough to hold a heavy pool.

9. Paint the Deck

If you’ve just built the deck, give it a fresh coat of paint for a different look. Paint will also protect the deck from water and weather damage.

Acrylic paint is the better option as it is UV-resistant and needs less maintenance. Whether it’s a lumber or redwood deck, this paint works great with all kinds. On the other hand, oil-based paints are slow drying, but it helps to fill the gaps or cracks in between the surface.

10. Hang Planters

When you’re low on budget, then go creative to add beauty to the deck. Hanging planters is not only pocket-friendly but also need minimum maintenance.

You can hang some year-round flower plants or try seasonal flowers. This will make your deck a pleasant place to enjoy.

11. Add A Privacy Screen

If you don’t want the neighbors to sneak on you, consider adding a privacy screen to the deck. You can make a DIY screen or buy a metal or wooden outdoor privacy screen.

12. Set Up A Movie Theatre

There’s nothing quite like watching movies with friends and family in the backyard. So, rather than going outside for movies, set up your own movie theatre on the backyard deck.

Building an outdoor theatre is cost-effective. All you need is a simple projector, a big portable screen/sheet and a sound system.

Final Note

Building or remodeling a deck isn’t always costly. With a proper plan, affordable materials and a set of tools, you can easily set up a small deck by yourself.

Follow this article to get some simple yet creative deck ideas when you’re on a low budget. Hopefully, you find this helpful enough. Let us know in the comment section which idea you love the most and also share if you’ve anything better in mind.

October 22, 2022
20 Cheap Simple Front Yard Landscaping Ideas to Make your Home Attractive

Creating a lavish landscape for the house is quite expensive. Not everyone can afford costly materials or fancy yard and garden accessories. Moreover, hiring professional landscape designers isn’t always economical.

The process of landscaping is indeed pricey for mansions and large homes. But if you have a normal home and want to create landscape design on a small budget, here’s the guide for you. Today we’re going to tell you some DIY cheap simple front yard landscaping ideas that’ll change the visual features you presently have.

1. Brick Edging

A properly organized border of bricks can perfectly depict the boundary between the grass or flower bed and the garden. Edging not only enhances the flower bed look but also keeps other rambling plants away from the flowers.

You can make easy and affordable edging with some pavers or stone bricks. The bricks come in similar shapes, so it’s not difficult to create the edge.

You need a hammer or flathead shovel and a wooden piece to lay the bricks rigidly into the ground.

2. Chandelier Planter

If you have an old chandelier at home, you can turn it into a planter. It’s a great DIY landscaping idea where you replace the bulb holders with some little terra cotta pots and paint them. Then add soil and plant some flowers into it.

3. Bird Feeder Chandelier

It’s another nice makeover of your old vintage chandelier. With it, you can recreate the front yard and attract many birds to your garden.

Simply replace the bulbs, attach some feeder jars, paint them and hang them.

4. Address Number Post Planter

You can redecorate the front yard with an amazing decoration that’ll modify it in a nature-influenced way. Put a wooden address number post that’ll have a hanging basket with flowers in it. You can also change the flowering plant according to the seasons. This will greet your guests with colorful blossoms and a refreshing smell.

5. DIY Cedar Cube Solar Landscape Light

Regardless of your backyard or front yard size, proper lighting can make it instantly beautiful at night. Not to mention, it provides a fancy decor effect.

Solar landscape lights are inexpensive but it has two major disadvantages, clouded solar panels and broken ground spikes. So it’s better to make a DOY cedar cube landscape light. You can easily create customized cedar cubes to fit the solar lights into them.

6. Bird Bath

A bird bath is the next decorative addition to the lawn to create an impressive look. You can get a stone, metal, marble or mosaic bird bath with paintings on it. But make sure the water is always clean and the item stays algae-free.

7. Decorative Garden Hose Holder

A tangled garden hose is a big annoyance. With some minimum supplies from the local store, you can make a cost-effective garden hose holder.

For example, you can make a hose holder for under $15. All you need is some wooden pieces, paints, glue, etc.

8. DIY Paver Walkway

The walkway redecorating idea can be great to change your old front yard lane. It’ll create a new look in the garden.

To make a new walkway or modify the old one, you need to put in a concrete layer. After it gets dried, you can begin the edging to finish the look.

9. Spray Paint on Concrete

If there’s a concrete floor on the front door and if it’s discolored, then it’s time to give it a makeover. With some spray paint on concrete, you can change the entire look.

You can use two or more colors to make it more charming.

10. Cheap Pergola Design

Pergola can be a nice addition to your garden. It’s a sitting area in the backyard for some privacy. You don’t even need a large space for it. In fact, you can make a compact design in a small area.

To make it convenient, attach the pergola’s roof to the sidewall and cover it with a perspex sheet or transparent sheet. It’ll protect you from rain and also allow you to enjoy the night sky while sitting under it.

11. DIY Downspout Path

This is a very interesting landscaping idea. You can place river stones in such a way that it looks like water flow coming out from the downspout.

It’ll look more magnificent if you use bright- or colorful stones. Such stones also help in absorbing excess water or rainwater and keep the plants safe from drowning.

12. DIY Cheap Trellis

Climbing plants on the wall look fascinating. But do you know they can be used for other purposes? Like hiding the defects on the wall. So, rather than painting the wall, make a DIY trellis to cover any defect.

To make sure rapid growth and healthy vines, trellis are important. You can get tutorials on the internet to make the DIY trellis, which comes pocket-friendly.

13. Front Porch Planter

Welcome your guests with a fresh scent of flowers on the front porch. If you like this kind of impression, create a handmade box planter. That’ll need only wooden materials to cost less than $8 and some hours to complete the project.

14. Craftsman Exterior Shutters

Make your landscape as well as your house more appealing with exterior shutters. The classic look of the craftsman style is still popular and you can make it like that by yourself.

You need to cut wooden boards in proper sizes (depending on the shutter size you want), route the boards, build shutter frames, fix planks to the back of the shutters, paint them and finally attach them.

It takes time, but once you complete the DIY shutter, it’ll change the look of your house.

15. Polka Dotted Planters

The quickest way to make your landscape attractive is by placing polka-dotted planters with seasonal flowers. You can arrange them in whatever alignment and experiment with their outer look.

You can take terra cotta pots for it. Do spray paints or apply acrylic to seal the clay surface and make the pots creative.

Polka-dotted planters can easily transform the plain ambiance into a cheerful one. Use different sizes of pots to make the alignment more appealing.

16. Round Flower Bed

You don’t need to be a landscape expert to make your backyard elegant and beautiful. The main key is the garden beds and maintaining them regularly.

The round flower bed in the garden is a great idea to decorate your landscape. Add two different types of shrubs around it and combine them with a bright-colored flower plant in the middle.

17. Topsy Turvy Flower Pots

If you need something out of the box in the landscape, add a stack of flower pots. Especially if you own a small garden, this kind of pot arrangement creates a nice look. It’s also helpful to grow plants.

18. X-Leg Bench

Add an x-leg bench to the front yard as a sitting arrangement. It gives a farmhouse-type contemporary look. You can make it for under $40.

19. White Picket Fence

Instead of fancy decor, go traditional with a white picket fence. It’s one of the extremely budget-friendly landscape ideas that cost around $300 for a small front yard. You can plant some rose plants to complement the white fence and that’ll give a cheerful appearance.

20. Rain Chain

Rain chains are a great alternative to the downspout. It’s another cheap and simple DIY landscaping idea you can try. The primary purpose of rain chains is to decorate, but they also help transport rainwater from the gutter to the drain.

These are the best 20 cheap front yard landscaping ideas for you. Depending on the budget, you can try them out. With a little time and effort, you can change the appearance of your front yard.

October 21, 2022
Roof Cleaning: Everything You Need to Know

Maintenance of our homes does not end at keeping the interior sparkly clean- it also comprises of the exterior, including the roof. Maintaining a roof in good condition prevents you from spending a lot of cash in the future, not to mention the hassle of replacing the roof.

Why is Cleaning a Roof Necessary?

Cleaning the roof will prevent deterioration that leads to costly repairs, and in due course, you will need to replace the roof – which is pricey, time-consuming, and a routine-breaker.

It could have prevented unnecessary expenses, wasted time and mundane disruptions.

Roof cleaning will ensure that your home is sheltered, keeping a pristine appearance and state of your property. It will provide the peace of mind that you will have a roof to keep you protected for a long time.

What is Roof Cleaning? And is it Expensive?

Roof cleaning involves washing the shingles along with the tiles, removing dirt, grime, and algae that may damage parts of the roof. Moreover, yes, you can do it but professionals’ best perform it such as roof contractors, that will do a thorough job of cleaning the roof and other troubles that you may miss.

The job is tougher than it looks. Cleaning one tile can take a long time if you don’t have the suitable equipment or method.

Hence, Roof Contractors perform the task proficiently. They will do the work at a price that will not bust your budget and at the same time saving you the stress of how to clean the roof.

Top 6 things to know before Obtaining a Roof Cleaning

Here are the top 6 things to keep in mind when you are planning to have a roof cleaned.

#1 Roof Cleaning is not for Amateurs

You can’t just watch a YouTube video of ‘How To Clean Roofs’. No. It is not a simple job that can be solved by watching a 3-minute DIY video.

Firstly, can you balance yourself on the roof? Don’t be too so confident because one wrong step and bones will break- in the least. If standing on a sloped and uneven surface worries you, then imagine trying to maintain your balance up there while holding a pressure washer.

And yes, you need a pressure washer to clean the stubborn grimes of a roof. A haphazard job of manually scrubbing each tile is ineffective because you can’t finish it all in one day.

That is another issued to consider. Do you have a pressure washer? Do you know how to use a pressure washer? Weak pressure application will not suffice, too strong and you’ll damage the roof even further.

Therefore, cleaning roofs is not an easy project and it is better left in the hands of experienced individuals.

#2 Roof Cleaning will save a lot of Money

Contrary to popular belief, roof cleaning is low-cost, less than 50 cents per square foot. Compare that to the price of replacing a roof, the occasional roof cleaning is cheaper than a repair and a replacement.

It saves money, time, effort, and extends the life of a roof. Delaying the more costly event of having an entire roof replaced because it has not been cleaned.

#3 Algae’s are not just Eyesores, they Consume a Roof!

Algae doesn’t just make a home appear dreadful, it destroys a roof. It destroys the limestone used for making the individual shingles.

If left alone for long, a roof will lose its shape. A lost shingle or two makes your home unappealing because pieces will be missing here and there. Like a missing tooth in a row of beautiful pearly teeth.

Not only does it look ugly, but algae-eating through a roof leads to leaks inside a home. Aside from the possibility of replacing a roof sooner than expected –which will cost you up to $10,000 –, it can affect electricity bills because a missing shingle means a missing UV blocker, which results in a drop in energy efficiency.

#4 You don’t Need Visible Damage or Dirt to Request a Cleaning

Just like cancer, you don’t see the damage in the early stages. Don’t wait until they are visible before taking action. As the saying goes, prevention is better than mitigation.

Avoid dirt, grimes, algae, moss, and such from decaying a roof by having it cleaned. Even when everything is doing fine. Problems hide in plain sight. That is why an inspection by professionals should be conducted now and then to see if your roof is still in good condition or if it needs maintenance already.

That is why the last thing you should know…

#5 Inspection is Must to identify the type of Cleaning

You don’t get a contractor to clean your roof, gauge the roof and the type of treatment it is best suited for.

Why is this important? Simple; because knowing beforehand, the condition of the roof saves your time and the contractor’s time. It is not always the case that a roof needs intensive cleaning.

Besides, in that context, roof cleaning can be accomplished in two methods: soft washing and power washing.

Generally, soft washing is for mature roofs. It is what they call a chemical cleaning. This is a gentler treatment than a brutal power washing. Power washing, on the other hand, is for newer roofs that can withstand the strong pressure of water spray.

#6 Choose your Contractors Wisely

It is prudent to ask your neighbors and friends, or review sites before hiring a contractor to wash a roof. Hire an experienced, budget-friendly yet a top-quality results contractor.

This will warrant the health of a roof and secures the best treatment for your home’s maintenance.

Bottom Line

It is best to mind the condition of your entire home. Interior polishing is great but when the ceiling starts to leak and no amount of roof sealant solves the problem, then you might be looking at bigger troubles to arise.

To avoid this, have your roof inspected and cleaned every three to five years. The gutters should be cleaned annually or as needed.

While you are at it, have the house power washed as well — some contractors offer this as a package! Have a home that is well maintained and functioning as it should be.

May 7, 2020
How Long Does a Roof Last on a House?
How long does a roof last? Many homeowners grapple with that question. In most cases, they don’t have an answer and will look for a leak to signal it’s time to consider a roof replacement.

Multiple factors determine a roof’s longevity. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into various roofing materials, their average lifespan, what a typical roofing system consists of, and factors that affect a roof’s lifespan.

Understanding the Whole Roof System

A roof contains more than shingles. The roof is a system of parts that work together to provide the best overlay from external elements.
- Ventilation allows for proper airflow that regulates the temperature and moisture levels.
- Shingles are the outer covering of the roof system. This provides attractiveness and protects the underlying parts from external elements.
- Flashing works in conjunction with the ventilation system. You’ll find this strip of material where a vertical wall such as a chimney meets the roof.
- Underlayment ensures the deck remains dry during shingle installation or repair.
- Ice and water barrier is a form of underlayment to prevent or minimize the effects of ice damming.
- Drip edge allows rainwater to fall away from the house by guiding it off the eaves.
- The deck is the roofing structure that supports the above layers.
Types of Roofing Systems

The roofing material used will determine how long the roofing system will live. Therefore, knowing the average lifespan and the cost of diverse materials will provide the best decision before dipping your hand in your pocket.

Asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofs in the United States. The main reason is this type of roof is affordable for most homeowners – about $70 to $150 per square. With that said, the cost of the roof is proportional to the quality.

In this case, expectancy to replace an asphalt shingle roof more often – typically 10 to 20 years after installation.

If you live in areas that experience sudden temperature changes and strong sunlight such as Texas, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Arizona, this duration will significantly diminish, leading to premature failure.

Architectural Shingles

To get the most out of a shingle roof, consider installing architectural shingles. This roofing system protects from external elements for 15 to 25 years.

Keep in mind, the environment will affect the lifespan. Furthermore, to get such quality, prepare to dig deeper into your pocket – $250 to $400 per square.

Wood Shingle Roof

Also known as shakes, wood shingles offer 25 to 30 years. However, if you practice best roof management, expect to get up to 40 years.

The most common wood used is cedar because it’s durable. Moreover, it has a silvery gray look as the wood weathers, giving your house amazing aesthetics.

While it gets credit for durability, cedar isn’t rot-resistant. Therefore, moisture levels will play a significant role in the overall cycle. For this type of roof, avoid areas with numerous debris and lenient weather conditions. A wood shingle costs about $250 to $600 per square.

Clay Tile Roofs

If you’re looking for a roof that will outlive you, look no further than clay tile roofs. These roofs can last up to 150 years. This is possible because the tiles are made from either concrete or terracotta clay and installed in interlocking layers.

These materials are decay and rot-resistant, and that means you’ll cough up more currency – about $600 to $800 per square.

With so many pros, clay tile roofs are heavy, which will cause damage to your roof. You also need to contract an expert roofer to install the tiles.

Metal roofs

Metal roofs continue to grow in popularity among homeowners. The main reason is their longevity. On average, anticipate a typical metal roof to last between 30 to 100 years, depending on the type of metal.

Metal Roof
- Standing Seam metal roofing system is the most common and withstands between 30 and 50 years.
- Metal shingles are also popular but up to 30 percent less expensive than standing seam with similar durability.
- Stone-coated steel tiles are popular in Florida and are an alternative to traditional tiles and shingles. The biggest advantage is it’s not too heavy.
- Ribbed metal panels will carry on up to 50 years with expert installation. However, go for Kynar 500 coated metal panels instead of acrylic to avoid discoloration and peeling paint.
The price starts at $115 per square and can go up to $900 per square.

Composite Roof

This is a shortcut to achieving similar looks to a cedar shingle roof while paying almost half the price. The roof is lightweight, strong, and offers beautiful aesthetics depending on your design choice.

With proper installation, a composite roof will last up to 50 years. While this roof may prove to be durable, look out for leaks because repairs can be challenging. The cost will vary from $7.75 to $14.50 per square foot.

Slate Tile Roof

Slate tile roofs are suitable for regions with harsh weather conditions. This roof will handle anything thrown at them. This reputation has earned it a place in many homeowners’ hearts.

Having said that, slate roofs are common among the affluent because of their luxurious nature. Prepare to spend $600 to $1,500 per square. They are also heavy but will stay put for 50 to 100 years if installed by specialists.

EPDM Rubber Roof

If roof beauty doesn’t feature in your must-have list when house hunting or building, a rubber roof is a great choice. This roof is cost-effective and offers a decent lifespan – between 25 and 30 years. To achieve such longevity, consider buying EPDM rubber roofs.

This material is leak-resistant since it’s seamless although some have seams. These are prone to failure and may cause leakage. Expect to pay $5.50 to $9.50 per square foot.

Factors that Affect a Roof’s Lifespan

To answer the question, “how long does a roof last?” understand the factors that affect a roof’s lifespan. Let’s dissect each factor in detail.

1. Types of Roofing Material

The outermost layer of the roof absorbs the first impact of any external element. Therefore, choose a durable roofing material to protect the entire roof system.

In that case, the recommended roofing material is asphalt shingles because it offers the best value for money in terms of aesthetics, energy efficiency, resilience, and price.

2. Underlayment

As the name suggests, this goes between the roof deck and roof shingles. In most cases, this is a synthetic material or a felt sheet that acts as a protection layer against sun rays, chemicals, and moisture from ice, rain or snow.

Investing in proper underlayment will increase a roof’s longevity. It will also protect your home for the interval of a shingle repair.

3. Ventilation

Proper air circulation allows for airflow outside and inside the roof. With proper airflow, moisture and temperature levels inside the attic are regulated, thereby increasing the roof’s lifespan.

Proper ventilation will also prevent ice dam formation on the roof’s eaves during winter. Ice dams can damage a home’s interior, walls, and ceilings. Therefore, consult an expert roofer to explore viable ventilation systems.

4. Installation

The roofing materials may be the best in the market, but if the installation doesn’t match the quality, expect to make repairs sooner than later. Keep in mind, diverse roofs require distinctive fitting and consulting a proficient roofer is the best way to go.

5. Weather Conditions

A roof’s lifespan depends on where you live, with great attention to the climate conditions. While most roofing materials can withstand harsh weather such as hailstones, strong winds, and heavy rain, they only do so to a certain point.

Seek advice from a qualified roofer to get the best roofing material for your region.

FAQs

How often do you need to replace a Roof?

This depends on several factors. The roof material is one such aspect and you can expect to replace asphalt shingles more often. Weather conditions in your area will also affect a roof’s longevity.

Proper installation will give you time before thinking about replacement.

How long can a 30-year-old roof last?

The obvious answer is 30 years, correct? Wrong. Most of the time, a 30-year-old shingle will not endure its projected years. The same applies for a 20, 40, and 50-year-old shingle. On average, a 30-year-old roof will last up to half its projected time.

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April 16, 2020
How to Clean Windows: 10 Ultimate Tips

In case you’ve ever methodically cleaned windows for your residence, top to bottom & left to right, you’ve surely encountered the immense pleasure when you’ve spotted so much more sunlight striking into your home. You will notice that your home is instantly transformed into a brighter and more positive space right away when you have super polished and clean windows.

But getting back to the reality states that no one really loves cleaning windows do they? Well, you don’t have to like it while doing it, but trust me on it that you’ll love the outcome of precisely clean windows. Take this job as many of your other weekend household tasks like doing laundry or DIY plumbing and you’ll feel the instant achievement when you’ll have your windows cleaned. By you.

Just a handy tip, Springtime would be the perfect season to get the job done if you haven’t get your hands dirty cleaning windows in a while. Before you clean windows, be practical here about which windows you can clean yourself. Remember, you don’t need to play a hero and end up your next 2 months in the bed having your bones fractured.

In this article, we’re going to draw your attention to a few simple but essential techniques to get smear free windows at home. Doesn’t matter if it’s a stubborn spot or a greasy stain, these techniques will solve your problem.

So, without further due, let’s get into it and get ready to be amazed while using it yourself.

It’s required to pay attention to these simple things before you start cleaning your windows and make it shine like the brightest day on earth.

1. Cleaning Stubborn Smear, Awkward Stains:

Outdoor windows are specifically vulnerable to stubborn stains as they are unprotected to heavy rain, hard waters,

Outside windows are especially liable to stubborn stains as they are uncovered to rainwater runoff, minerals, bird do-dos, and other stuff that can splatter on dirt and leave muddy spots. There are few tricks that can come handy while removing smear spots on inside-outside windows.

Get yourself a mineral deposit removing cleaner, Dip a sponge in it and rub at the stain spots gently on the windows. Splash the area using water first and go with the regular cleaning.

You can also use pure vinegar by spraying it on the affected portion and leave it to get soaked for least 8-10 minutes. A sponge or a soft cloth can be your real friend in this situation.

You can work with oxalic acid if you make a paste with water. Put some of it in your cleaner and the rest in your the affected portion and give a good rub. Splash away the paste when the stain gets thin and soft.

Got a grainy stain on your windows which you can’t wipe off rubbing? Have no fear. Use a razor to rake them off. Be careful though as you wouldn’t want any grumpy razor scratch on your window.

2. Remove Unnecessary Stickers:

You might have kids in your home who did fancy decorating your windows with cute stickers or bird repellant owl decals. You probably couldn’t figure back then how difficult would that be to remove the adhesive substances from the windows in future.

However, don’t worry as we’ve got you covered. Get yourself a plastic scrubber with the sharp edge, a spray bottle full of water and you are good to roll.

Let the stickers soak the water for a few moments.

Put firm pressure while holding the scrubber against the windows making a 60-degree angle. Go up and down from upside down of the sticker while scraping your way off directional.

Wipe off the excess water with a towel when you think you’re happy with the result.

3. Wash the Screen after Removing it

You’ll have to clean your windows screen everytime you clean your windows almost twice a year. It’s applicable for both inside and outside windows. Don’t forget to vacuum the unworthy dust and dirt after removing the screens.

You can use a water sprayer and gently spray the screen before and after you’re done wiping it.

Have yourself warm water and mix it with a splash of vinegar. Dish soap will work fine as well. Use a clean cloth or sponge dipping into that mixture and wipe the screen with it. Let the screens air dry before you replace them.

4. Mop off the Dirt and Mud from Outside Windows

Outside windows are subjects to catch all sorts of smut, dirt, and other polluting materials. You’ll need to use a garden hose to cleanse off the smudges from the panes in case you have really dirty windows.

A lint-free cloth and water can really come in handy to rinse away the dirt if you don’t have the flexibility to use a hosepipe.

5. Did you Forget to Vacuum inside Windows?

Make sure you vacuum all parts of corner areas on the windows. start cleaning inside windows, Put a large towel in front of the window to catch spills to avoid unwanted hackle. You can’t just let the dirt spreading everywhere while cleaning. When you do it, you’ll have to make sure that you’re doing it right.

6. Choose your Supplies and Tool Smartly:

You must gather these few things if you want to perform a primary but effective job to clean windows:

Squeegee or scrubber or sponge

A bucket full of water or water sprayer bottle

Rubber wiper or towel for drying

Save inside floor using large carpets or towel

7. Make your Windows smile by Cleaning Solution

Although there is a huge variety of cleaners available in the market to clean windows, while according to most experts, a primary water and dish soap mixed solution can do the job more than good. A paper towel or newspaper is good enough to just move mud. You make this mixture to make your windows look cleaner.

6 liters of water with one teaspoon of dishwashable liquid.

Equal parts water and white vinegar if you’re making the mixture in a bottle.

15 grams of cornstarch streaks prevention plus 70 ml of rubbing alcohol and vinegar and 500 ml of water.

8. Clean windows Smart & Quickly

The windows which have multiple panes are likely to be treated by a sponge where a scrubber can be useful for large picture windows. Soak your sponge into the bucket full of mixture. Twist off the excess water, rinse down the whole window and be sure to reach all the corners.

You’ll have to use an extension pole with scrubber attached on it to clean the high outside windows.

Do not move on to the next one before the previous window you cleaned is dry. If the scraper whimpers a lot while washing or drying the windows, use a little soap with the water.

9. Wipe off the Extra Water

To prevent streaks on windows and get clean windows, look out for dripped or spilled water or water running down the windows wipe the area dry with a spongy cloth, lint-free fabric.

You can use a different piece of rag or fabric to wipe off the water from the window sill. This will prevent damage to the frame.

10. Make the Windows Dry to Add Extra Shine

Make your way from top to bottom through the windows with small panes by using a rubber blade on the scraper and rinse away the water vertically. Horizontal stroke is a smart choice for pictured windows. Cross over your previous stroke by a few inches every time you dry the blade with a lint-free piece of cloth for each stroke.

Prevent your windows from getting streaks by purchasing a good quality scraper with a sharp-edged rubber blade in it. Make yourself always ready with a streak-free window cleaning solution. Rubber blades are subject to replace as it gets blunt after using multiple times. Once it’s dull, it will start leaving streaks. While rubbing the window gently with a rubber blade make sure that it is always touching the window.

After you’re done washing the windows, you’ll be amazed by seeing how much extra sunlight is brightening your home interior. Think about the feel, just go for it thinking as it’s one of your weekend DIY projects. Mark my words. You will not regret it.

Happy cleaning!

September 7, 2018