Mildew Removal & Window Cleaning

Window Cleaner Mix ½ cup sudsy ammonia, 1 tsp. dishwashing liquid, 1 pint rubbing alcohol, and water to create 1 gallon of cleaner, then pour some into an empty spray bottle.

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Here are a few general tips that I've come across while finxing the house.

Cleaning Windows

I use the Consumer Reports window cleaning solution to wash my windows. It leaves no streaks and is easy to make. A squeegie and a cloth to wipe the glass sides was the only other items I needed. If the window was really dirty, I would first scrub the glass with a plastic scrubber and the cleaning solution.

Removing Mildew from Siding

I had mildew and green algae growing on the siding on north side of my house as well as on my trellises. I spayed on the product, Wet and Forget and my mildew went away and stayed away. It was almost too good to be true. It is not instant and does take a while to work like the instructions say.

There seem to be similar products available but this one has been around longer and has a good reputation.

Cleaning Wood with Mildew Before Painting

During the prep stage before painting, when I come across wood that is dirty and has mildew, instead of using a house wash, I use a spray cleaner with chlorine. This cleaner can be found in most supermarkets. It makes quick work of removing both the mildew and dirt. The photo on the right shows the before and after. After spaying on the cleaner, I scrub the wood with a stiff plastic brush before rinsing.