How to Clean and Maintain Garden Windows

Garden windows are a beautiful addition to any home. Unlike other windows, they provide a wonderful little place to store plants, books, and other decorative items. However, because of their unique, box-like shape, garden windows require a different approach to cleaning than standard, flat-mounted windows.

Cleaning the Inside

To clean the inside of your garden windows, you’ll first need to remove any items that are in the way. If you have blinds, a valence, or curtains hanging in your window, it may also be helpful to remove these. To remove the shelf, do not pull it toward you. Instead, gently lift the shelf up off its brackets, set it to the side, and clean it separately. Depending on how heavy the shelf is or where the garden window is positioned, you may need an extra set of hands to safely remove the shelf.

Use a handheld vacuum or a standard vacuum with an attachment hose to pick up any dust or larger bits of debris that may have gathered on or around the window base. If you don’t have a vacuum, you can use a damp cloth. Once you’ve cleaned the window frames, simply spray the panes with a glass cleaner and wipe them down with a lint-free cloth or paper towel. Once you have cleaned all the glass, clean the shelf in a similar manner and then place it back onto the brackets.

Cleaning the Outside

How you clean the outside of your garden windows will depend on whether they’re on the ground level or the upper floor. If they’re on an upper floor, you will need a ladder to reach them; otherwise, just get as close as you can to the outside of the window. Because the outside of your garden windows is exposed to the elements, it will probably have more dirt buildup than the interior, and so it may be helpful to use a hose to loosen this dirt and grime. If you don’t have a hose, you can use a wet cloth or sponge to remove the dirt. Once the majority of the dirt is washed away, clean the individual glass panes just as you did on the inside, using a glass cleaner and a paper towel or lint-free towel.

As far as maintaining your garden windows goes, aside from regular cleaning they really shouldn’t require much upkeep. Garden windows feature small glass panes that either swing, crank, or pivot outward for ventilation. Simply oil the hinges with a spray lubricant every time you clean your windows and the hinges should operate smoothly.

To learn more about how to care for your garden windows, or to inquire about having garden windows, casement windows, double-hung windows, or any other style of window installed, call West Shore Home today. We proudly serve homeowners in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.