7 Things You Shouldn’t Clean With Window Cleaner, and 7 That Will Come Out Perfectly Clean After Using It

7 Things You Shouldn’t Clean With Window Cleaner, and 7 That Will Come Out Perfectly Clean After Using It

This liquid can do more than you think, but sometimes it’s best not to use it.

Every cabinet comes with a spray bottle of window cleaner. When used as directed, it works wonders: Windows and mirrors are instantly clean, without the hassle of scrubbing away the streaks that other commercial cleaning products can leave behind. It’s no wonder you’re sometimes tempted to use the solution in other ways. According to professional cleaners, it’s not such a bad idea, but there are six exceptions: Here’s what you should keep window cleaner away from.

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7 Things You Should Never Clean With Window Cleaner

Rubber seals

Just because the seals are part of the window doesn’t mean a product designed for glass is also suitable for cleaning them. As professional cleaner Jade Piper explains, chemicals, especially ammonia, can make the rubber brittle and start to crack.

“It’s best to add a little dishwashing liquid to the water, wash the pads with this solution, then rinse and dry them. And don’t ignore the rubber conditioner: it really does extend the life of your tires,” says Jade.

Read also: What to Add to Water to Quickly Clean Windows to Complete Clear: Cleaners’ Secrets

Brass and bronze

You might think that glass cleaner will give your brass or bronze cookware and accessories a nice shine, but that’s a mistake. As Piper explains, it will actually do the opposite: the items will become dull, corrosion may begin – and then you’ll just have to throw them away.

Carpets and upholstered furniture

Many people are guilty of this — the fact is, window cleaner does a great job of removing stains from upholstery and lint. However, Jade says, ammonia is harmful in the long run: It can discolor fabric and make its fibers thin and brittle.

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TREE

Wood is one product to avoid when it comes to using a window cleaner. “Chemicals can remove any protective coating and leave the wood extremely vulnerable to drying and cracking. Wood surfaces require special products – use these and always wipe the item in the direction of the grain. Don’t forget to polish, this will help restore the natural shine of the material,” advises Piper.

Granite, marble and natural stone

“Ammonia’s harshness makes it incompatible with natural stone surfaces. Glass cleaner can leave dull spots and damage the finish. You’ll need to call a professional to restore it. Investing in a pH-neutral cleaner designed for granite and marble is the best way to avoid problems,” Jade says.

Electronic

Our thinking in this case is clear: The screen is glass too, so why not use a glass cleaner to clean it? “Never do that,” says Ronnie Kendrick, owner of a cleaning company. “Otherwise, you will damage the coating of the monitor or plasma screen and erase the anti-reflective coating.”

Plexiglass

There’s a huge difference between glass and plexiglass: the latter is essentially clear plastic. This material is scratched and dulled by the harsh chemicals in windshield wipers, so avoid using them.

7 Items That Can (and Should!) Be Washed With Window Cleaner

Kitchen surfaces

Glass cleaner is an excellent grease remover, making it very useful in the kitchen. Spray it on the cooker hood, hob, splashback or worktop (unless of course it is made of natural stone), leave for 10 minutes, then wipe the surface with a soft cloth (if it comes into contact with food, then first remove any remaining glass cleaner with a cloth or sponge dampened with clean water).

Jars with remaining labels

The glue on price tags and labels can sometimes be very intrusive: not only does it leave unsightly stains, but it also turns into a dust magnet. You can remove it with a window cleaner – it will not only dissolve the sticky residue, but it will also not leave any marks.

Surfaces in the bathroom

Don’t stop at mirrors: Glass cleaners are great for removing stains on toilets and residue on shower stalls. Spray it on, wait five minutes, scrub a little with a brush, rinse with clean water, then dry the surface with a microfiber cloth.

Door handles and faucets

We touch them very often – it’s no surprise that these objects quickly stop shining. Use a glass cleaner and a soft cloth to restore your glass to its former shine and remove fingerprints, water spots and other marks.

Decorations

Thanks to ammonia, the glass cleaner is excellent for cleaning gold and silver jewelry with hard stones: it perfectly dissolves dust, dirt and sebum that settles on them. Nothing complicated: spray the solution on the ring, wait a minute, gently rub the jewelry with a toothbrush, then rinse with warm running water and dry.

Try another trick: A glass cleaner will help you remove a ring stuck to your finger; if you don’t have oil on hand, spray it on the jewelry and it will slide off your hand. Wash or wipe your skin immediately. It’s best not to let the ammonia sit on it for long.

Old wallpaper

In this case, we are of course not talking about washing: thanks to its ability to dissolve glue, the window cleaner will allow you to remove old wallpaper from the walls. Scrape the paper in several places, spray the window cleaner on the wall, wait a few minutes, then remove the wallpaper with a stapler. Don’t forget to create a draft: you must work in a well-ventilated area.

Vinyl siding

7 Things You Shouldn’t Clean With Window Cleaner, and 7 That Will Come Out Perfectly Clean After Using It

Vinyl siding is a great home covering, but it loses its appeal when dirt accumulates on it. An ammonia-based window cleaner will take care of it in no time: first wash off loose dirt with water, then spray the product on stubborn stains, let it sit for 15 seconds, then remove any remaining traces with a brush.



Source: The Voice Mag

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