Whether it's worth $6 per window depends mostly on your budget in conjunction with your energy and how difficult it is to reach the window.

Don't expect a company to do much more than cleaning the actual glass; and get it in writing if they promise to do sills and/or tracks. Neighbor had a very deluxe, well-recommended firm do his windows; they did only the glass and only wiped up their own spills from the sills. The next day he discovered that the solution they used left a cloudy film on all the windows. He ended up re-doing them himself. Last I heard he still had not gotten recompense from the company - not to worry you, but it is something to watch out for.

Personally, I wash my exterior windows twice a year: after spring pollen and after fall pollen (about June and November). I have casement windows, so no tracks; covered with attached storm windows which are awkward and a real pain to clean. Most windows are within 12' of ground [those are reachable by step-ladder) but several are nearly 20' up and require a tall ladder. I use a long-handled brush and squeegee. A vinegar-water solution gets the first dirt off, and then a rinse with an alcohol-water solution, then squeegee dry. It takes me about 15 minutes per window, mostly because each window has from 12 to 24 small panes as well as lifting the storm pane for cleaning. The large front window is 8 feet long with a 3' multipaned window to each side; takes about 20 minutes for all. Interior windows are done about once a month as part of the total-room clean, and it takes less than 10 minutes to wash and dry the glass, and wipe clean the sill and frame. BTW, DH has done the windows for me, although he uses windex and paper to dry; takes about the same length of time!

As you can see, paying $6 per window is very cheap labor OR you aren't going to get more than a rinse and squeegee on the exterior panes.

You don't say what is on the sills that makes them so dirty. If it's just accumulated dust, you can clean them with ammonia/water mix or a spray cleaner. Use a very soft scrubbee or wrap a plain sponge with an old nylon stocking and rub the dirt loose, squeezing the sponge in the cleaning mix often to remove excess dirt. Then wipe up the dirty solution with an old towel and then rinse with clean water and wipe dry. The ammonia mix will clean almost all stains, but some types of stains will require specific cleaners. Don't try to do all the sills and frames at once -- but 20 minutes every other day will get them clean sooner than you expect. If your sills and frames are painted with a hard, glossy paint (most are), you can finish the job by wiping with a clean rag that has been sprayed with pledge or similar duster. Then a weekly dusting should keep the sills looking good -- unless you have pets who leave muddy footprints, in which case you might as well plan on washing the sills frequently!

Hi meldy_nva

Thanks so much for your help. Actually, the sills and tracks are dirty becasue of accumulation of dust. So I am going to try myself to clean them with the solution.

I appreciate it.
Sofia

Mendo View is a fully licensed window cleaning service located on the beautiful Mendocino Coast in California. We clean tracks as well as windows and screens.

Most window cleaners will not clean the tracks but only brush them out i.e. vacuum them out. This generally applies if interior window cleaning is requested also. A wipe down of the track might get completed as well by your window cleaner but do not count on it. Honestly, if you are not up for the challenge yourself (See Below For Help ) you might be better off contacting a house cleaning service. Shop around though. Look for a window cleaning company that offers window cleaning packages. Pay attention to the package and you might discover that tracks are included. Do expect to pay more.

TIP: Fast track clean up - Environmentally Friendly - Non-Toxic - Pleasant Odor

I'm going to help you get those window tracks clean. Okay before we get on track, let's start with what you are going to need. Cleaning window tracks can be such a gross and dirty job so we are going to want to make sure we have the complete package to tackle this job. Here is what you'll need ...

1) Non-scratch Bristle Brush (Throw a tooth brush in there too)

2) Vacuum Cleaner with crevice tool adapter - Designed & Dedicated adapter for small narrow channels and corners that a traditional hand vac just cannot reach.

3) Magic Erasers - Effective at removing the muck and yuck of stubborn stains such as mildew.

4) Absorbent Wipe Cloths - For wiping, use terry cloths. You can pick them up at an auto parts store by the bundle real cheap.

5) Dish Detergent/Soap - Seventh Generation works great and is non-toxic

6) A 5 gallon bucket - Pick one up at Home Depot for a couple bucks

7) Drop Cloths/Bath Towels - Make sure they are worn and used. Not the good ones.

8) Vinegar - Distilled White Vinegar with 5% Acidity ( Sold at super markets )

9) Baking Soda - Sold in bags or boxes in a orange color. Find at super market

10) Tea Tree Oil - Found at health stores and sometimes Super Markets.

11) Protective Clothing - Apron, gloves, breathing respirator (In case of mold or mildew) We're not going out to eat here folks so let's keep our nice attire away
from this job. Getting spots on that nice top can turn a cleaning event
into a crime scene. Let's find something to wear that is a bit more
undesirable to the eyes.

12) Fresh Air - Preferably Spring Time Air

Instructions:

Step 1)

Go around to each window and open every one that will be cleaned. We are going to let those windows air out. If windows have any moisture, pour baking soda into the tracks. Let sit long enough for baking soda to absorb any moisture. Remove screens, if necessary. *We're not set up here to clean the screens too, so lets stay on track!

Step 2)

Begin vacuuming out all the window tracks. Make sure you get the most out of those tracks so it is easier for the cleaning solution to saturate and bond to the yuck and muck.

Step 3)

Fill a 5 gallon bucket half way with warm to hot water. Not too hot to touch. Please, we don't want to burn ourselves here. Add about 10-20 drops of Tea Tree Oil into bucket along with a few drops of Dish Soap, depending on how dirty surfaces are. Mix 1/2 gallon distilled white vinegar (5% Acidity) into the 5 gallon bucket. If tracks are heavily saturated, more is better.

Step 4)

Put protective wear and clothing on.

Step 5)

Place a drop cloth on floor beneath window and other surfaces that could get wet. Window sills may need to be covered as well to protect any wood or coatings.

Step 6)

Put 1/2 the amount of terry cloths into bucket and leave other 1/2 dry. Make sure cloths are thoroughly soaked. Pull one out and very lightly rinse. Place cloth along track. Work the cloths into the tracks. Be sure to really move and push it around. Repeat with cloths until entire length of window track is covered with cloths. Now allow cloths to sit for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Step 7)

Remove the towels and place them in the 5 gallon bucket to soak. Squeeze and rinse as needed.

Step 8)

Starting from left side of track using a bristle brush, agitate the dirt and grime back and forth. Brush one area at a time and in sweeping motion, push all loosened deposits from the left, to the right side of track. Use magic eraser sponge for more stubborn areas. Periodically pick up that nasty stuff with one of the cloths in the bucket. Rotate cloth as needed, then shake away deposits into trash bag. Keep sponge and cloths soaked and rinsed at all times.

Step 9)

Switch to a clean cloth and now place the head of a tooth brush into the terry cloth. Dip into cleaning solution. Brush the cleaning solution into the corners and crevices of the window tracks and frames. Alternate to Magic Eraser sponge for more stubborn stains. Wipe with clean dry cloth as needed until tracks are fully cleaned and wiped out.

Step 10)

Leave windows open to allow for any moisture to dry out. That's It - You're Done!!

Now we just need to clean up and put our nice clothes back on. Oh, and call that PRO Window Cleaner to come out to clean up the glass and screens.