Settle this cleaning debate please

[QuestionableMouse]

If you're washing both the windows and skirting boards would you wash the windows first or the skirting boards? One cloth, one bucket of water.

Currently having an argument with my mum over this!

I'd personally do the windows first and change the water/cloth but apparently I'm wrong and the 'proper' way to do it is skirting boards then glass...

Wibu?

Windows and the skirting boards. Surely that’s the obvious way around?!

Not a job I do often (ever) but always glass first.

Glass first then change the cloth and water for skirting boards. Surely her way you get dust on your clean windows.

Skirting boards are along the floor, and established wisdom is that rooms are cleaned top to bottom, so skirting boards last is sensible. If you're talking about window frames, then it might make sense to do them first, so you don't accidentally smudge windows when washing them afterwards. I wonder if there is a terminological confusion?

She means the glass because otherwise it goes streaky apparently. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

I would do windows first in case there were any drips onto skirting boards. Or is that paint?

Seems a funny pairing of jobs to me.

Why would the glass go streaky if you do them first? Rather than second? I don't follow...

I say glass first though it might not matter too much if you change the water and give the cloth a good rinse. If you don't then surely you're wiping dirty water over the windows, which is worse.

Reminds me of another baffling thread on here once where the OP was adamant that you should mop your floor first, THEN sweep it.

I'd personally do the windows first and change the water/cloth but apparently I'm wrong and the 'proper' way to do it is skirting boards then glass...

Who runs the Ministry Of Cleaning and decides the “proper” way of doing things. That just seems a bit narrow-minded.

@QuestionableMouse

She means the glass because otherwise it goes streaky apparently. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Yes but does she/you mean actual skirting boards, ie the wooden bits along the floor at the bottom of the wall? Or do you mean the inside window frame/jambs/window casings whatchamacallem?

Because if it's the latter, it to me makes sense to do those first, because otherwise you risk splattering your clean windows with dirty water from washing the surrounding areas. If it's the former, they go last.

No she means the actual skirting boards that run along the floor.

@honeylulu

Why would the glass go streaky if you do them first? Rather than second? I don't follow...

I say glass first though it might not matter too much if you change the water and give the cloth a good rinse. If you don't then surely you're wiping dirty water over the windows, which is worse.

Reminds me of another baffling thread on here once where the OP was adamant that you should mop your floor first, THEN sweep it.

I'll very occasionally mop first if the floor is very muddy/sticky or whatever. But generally, nah. Sweep first to get rid of the bits!

Why not leave it to the men to sort out

Just spray the windows with some Mr Muscle window cleaner and rub with a soft cloth. No streaks. Then do the skirting boards. Or don't bother, have a nice cup of tea and read a chapter of a book.

I am not really into cleaning windows or skirting boards. But they are two separate jobs. But I read somewhere the cleaning rule is top to bottom.

Well it is my dad who's doing the physical work! (mum's disabled so can't do it herself)

Windows first, then skirtings.

I always clean from the top down, otherwise you splat dirt/dust/cobwebs onto bits you've just cleaned.

I can't think of any good reason to clean either the windows or the skirting boards. My life clock is ticking. I have stuff to do

@QuestionableMouse

No she means the actual skirting boards that run along the floor.

Then I don't know what she's on about! She is flying in the face of established cleaning wisdom I reckon! It'll make no difference to the streakiness of the windows either way.

Are you and your Mum still shielding OP?
If not, you both really need to get out more.😉

Can you explain how she thinks this would make the windows streaky? it makes no sense

Windows first, definitely. I always clean top to bottom any way.

Windows first then skirting boards because (1) windows could be streaky with same water/cloth (2) windows are above skirting boards so do them first, then water won't drip on to skirting boards.

I can't say they're jobs I ever do together but if I clean the windows with water, I'll use spotlessly clean water, or else it's pointless.

The skirting boards mostly get vacuumed to keep the dust at bay with the odd wipe down, if needed.

Windows first (because dirt falls downwards) but I wouldn’t use a bucket of water, I’d use a spray and a dry cloth. I’d use a bucket of water for outside window washing.

Then Skirting boards with a clean damp cloth.

Reminds me of another baffling thread on here once where the OP was adamant that you should mop your floor first, THEN sweep it.confused

Oh god I remember that thread! What nonsense.