_ Learning the tricks to

aking windows shine |

Master the knack of manipulating a squeegee like a pro

WANT TO know the secret to
clean, sparkling windows?

By Christine Needham
Contributing Writer

Your windows will sparkle if
you rub them with Jint-[ree cloths,
newspapers, or achamois.

Or you may wish to master the
knack of manipulating a sqiiecgec
in the sanie manner the pros do.

Regardless of the method. you

can finish with a fine shine by rub-
bing a clean blackboard eraser. over
the windows efter they’ve dried.

But first, says Window and Wall

- Ideas Magazine, start with organi-

zation.
Hf possible, enlist a helper. then
= get two'of everything you need so
you both can work at the same time
- on-the same window: one. inside,
one outs
Having someone on each side

“will eliminate a lot of running ba ck

»-and forth.
If working alone, use » horizontal

‘strokes on the inside and vertical -

strokes on the outside to quickly
determine which side smudges are
on,

Besides polishes or a squeegee.
you'll need a window cleaner (or an
ammonia-and-water solution), This
type of cleaner will give vou

sparkling results compared with .
soup-and-water solutions that can *

leave a filmy residue,

You will also need a solution of
trisodium phosphate (TSP) and
water, a scouring brush, and one or
more sturdy stepladders.

Before attempting to clean the
glass panes, scrub the frame sur-
rounding them (if necessary) with
the TSP-and-water solution. Let it
set for a while, then rinse the frame
with a clean, damp cloth.

Now. spray or brush on the win-
dow cleaner, then wipe the window
with a cloth, chamois, or wadded-
up newspaper.

If you can still detect smudges,
Ttepeat until the window is clean,

It takes a while to learn the cor-
rect. way lo squeegec. especially
with large expanses of glass. If
your windows have multiple panes.

purchase a squeegee one pane wide.
Then you can clear each with a sin-
gle pass,

Brush or sponge-on window-
cleaning solution (the wetter the
better) and scrub off dirt. Now
press die squeegee firmly, against
the glass and draw it down in a sin-
gle stroke.

The main thing to keep in mind
is to wipe off the squeegee after
each piss. The rubber blade must
be clean and dry to do its work.

- With multi-pane windows, work
from top to bottom, wiping off the
bottom of each pane. ~

With large windows. make sev-
eral overlapping passes. If streaks
show where the passes overlap,
wipe them away with a clean cloth.

Pros end each downward stroke
by looping up again. as though
drawing a giant J. This keeps
excess water from spilling over the
batiom of the frame.

Then they end with a single hor-
izontal pass along the bottom edge
of the glass.

Distributed by the Las Angeles
Times Syndicate.

E Keep nightmare from becoming reality

‘IMAGINE BEING awakened by
dhe‘sound;of: your smoke alarm.
‘You"are confused and still half

‘asleep,’ ‘you: wonder, if it is a dream

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You, get, down’ ‘on the Hor.

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The. bedroom window is your

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_° This is a nightmare’ you promise
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: For further information contact’

District of North Vancouver Fire
‘ Services non-emergency number,
.980-7575,. or contact your local fire

department. -

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