As the seasons shift, it's the perfect moment to get your home ready for the chillier weather ahead. Following a prolonged, scorching and dry summer, dust has settled throughout your property – with windows being one of the most obvious places it gathers.
During the warmer period, windows remain open, allowing dirt to gather on the panes. This can leave your glass looking smeared and grimy – but specialists have revealed an incredibly simple method to dissolve it.
The Victorian cleaning secret
What's more, this cleaning trick is remarkably inexpensive, and chances are you've already got the necessary ingredients hiding at the back of a cupboard. The answer isn't vinegar, lemon or bicarbonate of soda – rather, it's a strong brew of black tea.
According to Heath Showman, founder of Lifestyle Blinds, black tea contains natural acidity and plenty of tannins. Tannins are a plant compound found in wine, tea and other bitter mouth-puckering foods like dark chocolate. They happen to break down grease, dust and dirt to leave your windows gleaming like new.
Expert advice and precautions
Heath commented: "It might sound unusual, but a strong brew is actually one of the most effective natural window cleaners out there, dating back to Victorian times."
"You just need to make sure it's completely cool before spraying it onto your windows, and you're best to avoid direct sunlight when cleaning. This can cause the solution to dry too quickly, leaving streaks behind."
"One thing to be careful of is spraying too much and tea landing on fabric or wooden blinds, as the tannins in tea can stain light-coloured materials the same way they would if you spilled tea down your shirt."
"We'd recommend covering or fully retracting blinds before spraying, and wiping away any drips from the window frame straight away."
How to clean your windows with black tea
You'll need: three tea bags, a mug, a spray bottle, and a microfibre cloth.
To use it, steep three tea bags in a mug of boiling water and allow them to brew for a minimum of 10 minutes, until the liquid turns dark. Allow the tea to cool down entirely before transferring it into a spray bottle. Apply the tea directly onto your windows, then wipe away and polish dry with a microfibre cloth for a smear-free result.
