How to Clean the Windows of an Apartment Outside Because It Is Dirty
Cleaning the outside windows can be pretty straightforward if you can actually reach them – just grab a hose and squeegee and rinse and wipe the glass. But cleaning windows inside and out is not so easy if you live in an apartment on the fifth floor, let alone a multi-story building. But looking out of a dirty, dirty window is not interesting, no matter what floor you are on, so what to do? Aside from bending your body to reach out and wipe from under a half-closed window, there are some clever ways to clean windows in your apartment without having to pester your homeowner to hire a professional.
Pull out the windows
I know this sounds intimidating – breaking the windows will definitely mean goodbye to the bail. But there is a very good chance that the windows in your apartment will tilt inward to facilitate cleaning. Look at the top of the lower half of the window (where the lock is). If you see small latches, buttons, or screws on the right and left sides, pushing on them will allow you to slide the window out of the frame and fold it inward for cleaning. If this all sounds confusing, the video below from Anders Fishing demonstrates it perfectly.
Not every window can be lowered for easy cleaning – some can be completely removed from the frame and replaced after cleaning. Check the sides of the window frame for latches that can be folded up to allow you to remove the window completely. Pull out these latches and slide the window all the way up. The latches will push the window out of the frame for you to clean and replace. An instructional video from Betenbough Homes below describes this cleaning option.
Use magnetic tools
If your windows can’t be tilted or lifted right away, there are some really cool tools to help you clean both sides without hurting the ledge (or your back). The spruce highlights one of these, a two-piece magnetic cleaning tool that clings together across the widow, with the glass surface sandwiched between the two halves. One half of the tool sticks to the outside of the window while you control the part on the inside. Using the inside, you slide the cleaner over the window while cleaning the inside and outside. A safety rope wrapped around your toe keeps the outside object from falling to the ground. There are different types and shapes of this tool, some with a sponge attached, while others require you to apply the cleaning solution directly to the window.
Spongy mop with curved nozzle
Since hanging outside a window at a height of 50 feet is not a safe option, you can instead hang your mop outside. The U-shaped sponge squeegee easily reaches the outside of the glass under an open window. You can add the cleaner to the mop or directly into the window, and then after cleaning, attach a microfiber towel to the mop to remove any streaks.