Tinted windows can protect your home from damaging ultraviolet rays and help to keep your floors and furniture cooler during the summer months. It’s very important to not just get any of the usual cleaners available on the market. Some window cleaners damage tinted windows by stripping the film from the glass. Ammonia-based cleaners, for example, are well-known for causing a loss in window tints.
Tinted House Windows: When Do They Need To Be Cleaned?
There’s not much difference between the cleaning of tinted house windows and that or regular windows. It’s generally far less frequent, to begin with. That’s because it’s harder to notice the usual glaringly obvious light stains on tinted windows, given how dark it is. So the windows are generally best left alone. The only reason for cleaning them more than quarterly or so (every three or four months) would be if something intense happens.
A wild party, for example, is a rather rambunctious event that will likely trigger the need for window cleaning.
Brand New Tinted House Windows Should Not Be Cleaned
You read that right, but let us explain further: If the film was installed fairly recently, it’s important for a curing period to pass. That is usually a month (4 weeks) at the very least. Otherwise, it will not stick to the glass properly. Getting it cleaned before the curing process will create problems. Largely, that manifests itself through bubbles being created between the layer of film alongside the glass.
Aside from the bubbles looking very unattractive and tainting the overall aesthetic of the home, they will also shorten the tint’s lifespan.
Cleaning Tinted House Windows: The “Don’t” List
There are two substances usually associated with cleaning that should never be used on tinted house windows.
- Ammonia – This substance is highly damaging to most types of protective film. In fact, ammonia is found in most standard window cleaning liquids that are sold in shops. Unless the tinting company has specified that their film can handle this, avoiding products that contain ammonia is the recommended course of action. However, most tinting companies generally make films that aren’t able to handle ammonia at all.
- Baking Soda – You should never use abrasive materials such as baking soda, as they can scratch the film and cause it to start peeling off over time. This can ruin the tinted glass and reduce its transparency. The latter can be a particular problem when it comes to privacy-conscious folk.
Cleaning Tinted House Windows: The “Do” List
Have the following materials on hand:
- Dish soap
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Vinegar
Have the following tools on hand:
- Microfibre cloth
- Soft sponge
- Spray bottle
Of course, you could also just call on a professional cleaning company so that it’s stress-free on your end!
Conclusion
Tinted house window cleaning is the farthest thing from complicated, contrary to popular belief. If anything, they need to be cleaned much less than regular windows. A good rule of thumb is to never use ammonia or baking soda; instead, the likes of dish soap are a better choice.
Need help with your residential window tinting? Contact Premier Tint today! We’ve been a leader in window film applications, signage applications and graphic design for over 20 years.
