Re-Using Window Clings – Is it Possible?

Summary – One thing homeowners love about window clings is their cost-effectiveness. But, can these cheap window décor items be reused. Yes!

When it’s Christmas or Thanksgiving, many homeowners will turn to window clings to add decorative appeal to their windows and homes. These window décor items are available in countless shapes, colors, and designs. Plus, they’re cheap, very easy to install and last for long periods (when cleaned and maintained properly). Yet, most homeowners view them as temporary décor items – here today, gone probably by next week. However, the notion that these clings lose their static adhesive power after being used once is completely wrong. Homeowners can reuse them very easily. Here’s how –

Many Homeowners are Doing It

One of the several bright consequences of the COVID19 pandemic is that it has given homeowners across the country a lot of free time. Many of them are enjoying this bonus free time catching up with friends or improving their mental health; this extra free time can also be spent reviving your old window cling. Don’t think your home has the tools needed to revive an old window cling? Well, you’ll only need –

Lint-free cloths (preferably microfiber cloth)

Some spray bottles (reuse the spray bottles that store your cleaning agents)

Vinegar

Clean towels

Dishwashing liquids

Now, you need to use these tools to clean the window surfaces. Make sure by the time you’re done cleaning the windows; there’s no dirt, grime, or residue left. The cleaner the window glasses, the better your old window cling will stick.

Adding Life to an Old Window Cling

Here are the steps for reviving an old and ‘unusable’ window cling –

Step 1 – Create a mixture of soapy water by putting a few drops of dishwashing liquid in warm water. Place your cling into this warm soapy water. Swirl it inside the water very gently.

Step 2 – Remove the cling from the soapy water. All the dust, grime, dirt, and residues that were previously present must have disappeared by now. Place the clean cling into another container full of cold water. Again, swirl them around in the water very gently to rinse them of any remaining dirt.

Step 3 – The clean cling is ready to stick again, but first, you need to dry it with a clean towel. Leave the cling to dry.

Step 4 – Pour some vinegar into your spray bottle. Shake the mixture and start spraying it on the parts of the window’s surface where the cling is set to be installed. Make sure the window surface is first cleaned with a lint-free microfiber cloth.

Step 5 – Gently apply the dry cling on top of the vinegar-laced window surface. The cling will start sticking again.

Importance of Maintenance

Although this process is very helpful and effective, it doesn’t work multiple times. Once a cling loses its intrinsic adhesiveness, it’s hard to regain it. But, this simple process can add at least five months of life to your window cling. But, you’ll need to clean the window surfaces and the cling from time to time to ensure this renewed lease of life lasts for a long time!