Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Great Product: Windex Outdoor Multi-Purpose

It isn't a new product but it is new to me.  Windex Outdoor is a great product for washing the outside of your windows with your garden hose.  You attach the ready to use bottle to your hose, turn on the water and spray.  One setting is for clear water, the other takes the solution from the bottle and sprays it.  For stubborn spots, they recommend scrubbing, but I did not need it.

I am recommending this product even thought I have a newer home with the tilt-in double pane windows that can be cleaned on both sides from inside the house.  I have had 2 problems doing this:  First, some of my windows are blocked with furniture making it cumbersome to get to them.  Second, I do not have screens on my windows so some debris that would be stopped by the screens lands on the window panes or trim.  I have not enjoyed cleaning that stuff before I can clean the window.  (I realize there are pros and cons to screens but I will save that for another posting.)

There were 13 large windows, 2 sliding door sets and a front door panel that I cleaned and there was still some solution left in the container.  I paid about $8 including tax for the quart container.  It took me less than 30 minutes to do all of them.  It would have taken much longer if I had done it from the inside and they were very clean.  Because my windows attract everything from spider webs full of bugs and pollen to oily fumes from vehicles going up and down the street, it always took several cleanings with paper towels when I did it from the inside of the house.  No more.  This product has convinced me that it saves time, money and energy.  In fact, I might even consider cleaning them more than twice a year!

My final recommendation is to clean when the sun is not directly on the windows or in the hottest part of the day.  You want the solution to stay wet and set a few seconds before you rinse it off.  I realize having a 2 story home may make reaching the upper windows with a hose more difficult, but you can't go wrong for the ground floor or if you have a ranch style home.  This product can also be used on patio furniture and siding.