How and with what you can clean the windowsill
For many modern housewives, a window sill is more than just a convenient window accessory. A wide variety of objects are placed on them, both on a permanent basis and temporarily. The use of a window sill is especially important for small rooms - kitchens or rooms.
With the active use of this device, a wide variety of contaminants inevitably arise, and if they are not eliminated in a timely manner, this part of the window system takes on a very unsightly appearance.
How to solve problems with the appearance of stains on these surfaces, we will tell below.
Varieties of stains on the windowsill
Window sills can be stained with building materials, food and when growing plants on the window. Each contamination requires its own approach, because it is necessary not only to remove it, but also not to damage the surface to be cleaned.
The most common types of stains on windowsills are:
- Rust.
- Limescale.
- Remains of finishing materials - glue, plaster, primer.
- Street dust and dirt.
- Greasy stains from dishes and food.
- Yellow traces from the water.
- Household pollution from markers, household chemicals.
In addition to a large number of types of stains, there is an equally impressive amount of a wide variety of tools for removing them - from folk to specialized.
Before using any such product, you must remember the precautions when using it. For a professional product, you must carefully read its instructions, for folk recipes, study and follow the instructions offered in this article.
Special window sill cleaners
It is quite easy to solve the question of how to wash a plastic window sill if you have special tools for the kitchen at hand. They are usually divided into:
- Cleaning. Most often in the form of a dry abrasive powder, they are used with care so as not to damage the surface.
- Detergents. Means that by their effect actually dissolve the pollution and wash off along with them. Do not use too acidic agents that can have a destructive effect on the surface of the windowsill. Of the most effective gentle agents, you can name liquid soap or the most common dishwashing detergent.
- Whitening. The most aggressive agents often contain some types of acids or chlorine. However, when used correctly and in accordance with the instructions, they can achieve excellent results.
It is recommended to use a soft sponge or ordinary household cloth with any product. Often, when cleaning a window sill, special materials are used on a rubberized basis, which allow not only to remove the stain, but also to polish the surface to be cleaned to a shine.
Note! It is forbidden to use any solvents or acetone-containing products when removing stains on plastic windowsills.
Folk remedies for cleaning
Folk recipes also make it possible to cope with pollution no less effectively. With their help, you can achieve a brilliant result, while the content of chemicals harmful to health and skin is minimal.
The best way to deal with footprints on window sills is:
- Toothpaste.
- A solution of vinegar and soda.
- Alcohol.
- Laundry soap.
- Eraser.
With the help of toothpaste, it turns out to remove not the most persistent stains, a distinctive feature of this tool is that not only cleaning, but also bleaching of the surface occurs. The best effect can be achieved if you first leave the paste on the surface to be cleaned for 30-40 minutes. After that, using a sponge or rag, we clean the stain and finally clean the remnants of the product with clean water.
Vinegar and baking soda are useful for removing limescale deposits that often form on window sills with home flowers. When watering them, water often pours out of the pot and dries out over time, leaving salt and lime deposits on the windowsill. A solution of soda with vinegar is effective enough to combat such contamination, but before starting work, it is imperative to check the composition in an inconspicuous place. And only after making sure that there are no consequences for the plastic of the window sill, start cleaning the stain.
Alcohol copes well with traces of markers, grease and household cosmetics. It is recommended to apply alcohol to the surface of the rag and actively wipe the stain until it is completely removed. Due to its high cleansing properties, this tool perfectly copes even with old stubborn dirt.
Laundry soap can fight oily stains, which is especially important for the kitchen. It is best to use it dissolved in water, then the cleaning effect is obtained faster.
The eraser is one of the most versatile folk remedies. It can be used to clean many types of stains, except perhaps greasy ones. For them, it is better to use aqueous solutions of alcohol or soap.
Methods for cleaning yellow spots
First of all, it is necessary to understand the nature of the appearance of spots of this kind on the surface. Depending on the quality of the material used in the production of window sills, their surface may turn yellow with time or prolonged direct exposure to sunlight. Such changes are irreversible and are rare. More often than not, irrigation water for plants is the reason for the appearance of unsightly yellow spots. In most cases, stain cleaning begins with the use of the least aggressive products - if the stain has not had time to get old and soaked into the surface, it is enough to wash it with ordinary laundry soap.
A bleaching solution from a mixture of water (half a liter is enough), a spoonful of pharmacy hydrogen peroxide and the same amount of oxygen bleach in the form of a powder shows great efficiency. Apply on the windowsill and leave for an hour, then rinse off with plain water. The lion's share of yellow spots are removed without much difficulty.
There is also a specialized product Cosmofen, which is designed for cleaning PVC-based profiles. Its professional composition does an excellent job of removing stubborn stains. It is offered in three variations - with digital codes 5.10 or 20. The higher the number, the higher the content of chemically active substances, and the better you will be able to whiten, however, the easier it is to damage the surface of the windowsill if used improperly.
Note! Before using Cosmofen, it is recommended to carefully read the instructions for its use.
Bleaches
To remove stains and give the windowsill its former freshness and whiteness, ordinary bleach for linen or plumbing is great. These include Domestos, Vanish and many powders. We apply them to the surface in a solution of warm water and leave for several tens of minutes. The composition affects both the pollution itself and the structure of the plastic, removing the smallest particles of dust from the surface.
Note! It is recommended to wear hand protective gloves when handling chlorine bleach.
Prevention of contamination
The surest way to avoid contamination is to keep it clean. Periodic wet cleaning of the window sill surface can be called the best means of prevention. And if dirt gets on it, remove it immediately.
This material addresses the issues of not only how to wash plastic window sills at home, but also how to prevent the risk of stains in general. These tips are suitable for everyone who is used to keeping their premises clean at the highest level.
Video: how to whiten a plastic window sill