Each week
I will be posting a different DARE TO COMPARE on Saturday.
I
will experiment with different recipes and methods all in the hopes of
saving
time, money or a little sanity.
This week I hope to bring sunshine to a dark winter with this tip. A definite SANITY SAVER.
I remember when I was a kid and my parents would switch out the screens on our windows for storm windows every season. With windows being wonderful well made these days, the days of switching out screens for storms are over. My windows are new and the screens never need to be changed out. But I have noticed that with the bright winter sun (made brighter when reflected off white snow) that the screens actually block out some of that sun. Since the sun seems to only shine for 4 hours a day in the frigid north I want to get as much sunlight as I can.
The Idea:
To remove the screens from my windows which will optimize sunlight coming into my house.
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| Screen on right blocking sunlight |
The How-To:
1. Remove the screens from your windows. Of course.
2. Clean the window behind your screen. You'll be shocked (as I was) at how much dirt is trapped between the screen and window. This dirt was definitely not helping the sunlight stream in.
(Note: Please see Friday's post here for a simple cheap window cleaning solution)
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| Eww! Dirt! |
3. Label your screens (so you
can identify which screens go with which windows) and store your screens somewhere safe and dry until the end of winter. We have a narrow gap behind our furnace that is a great storage place for our screens. Your screens will likely be as dirty as the window was but the cleaning of the screens is best done outdoors with the hose. It is easiest to clean them before you re-hang them in the spring.
The Result:
I am amazed that such a little thing can make such a big difference. Removing the screen and washing the window not only makes my house brighter, it makes the window feel and look larger. I am very pleased!
The Cost: Nothing. Sunshine is free!
Have you tried this in your home?
What did you think of the results?
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