I am absolutely in love with our 1910 farmhouse windows. However, there is a lot of upkeep that needs to be done in order to maintain the safety and look of an old home. With old windows comes moisture. This leads to buildup of mold/mildew on window sills, and it can even spread to the wall if not confronted.
It took only a few hours to completely rid every window of traces of mold/mildew, and it was quite an easy process considering how clean it made the house!
What we did:
*Wear facemask AND eye goggles
*Cover nearby furniture and carpet to protect from bleach
*Open doors and windows, and turn on fans
Mix a solution of 1/2 bleach, and 1/2 water in a spray bottle. (Spray bottle allows the solution to hit hard areas, while not putting too much water on your surfaces)
Remove screens from windows (there is a lot of dirt and moisture in window tracks!)
Cover each window sill/moldy spot thoroughly in bleach solution spray. Let sit for about 20 minutes (you may just need a break from all that spraying afterwards anyway!)
Next, go through each room, following the same route as you sprayed. Using a scrub brush, use that elbow grease and a small bucket of dish soap/water to break it loose and get it off the surface. MAKE SURE YOUR MASK IS ON, MOLD CAN BE TOXIC!
After all windows are scrubbed, go through with the bleach bottle and a DRY rag/towel that you don't mind getting bleach stains on. Use the spray on tough spots, and use the rag to wipe off loosened mold.
Discard scrub brush and rag/towel and allow the areas to dry completely before closing the windows again.
**Extra clean bonus: Take your screens and hose down/bleach while the window sills are drying.
By taking the time to bleach and sanitize windows, along with assessing moisture buildup, your old home will never look "OLD" or dingy. Plus, you and your family will be safe/healthy!
We will also be looking at getting our windows resealed.
More info on condensation: http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/condensation.htm
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