Can you safely clean the original wood windows on an older Milton home?
We're in an older house near downtown Milton with the original wood sash windows — some panes are the old wavy glass. I'm scared a cleaning crew will crack a pane or gouge the old glazing. How do you handle windows like this?
— Carol B., Milton
Answer from WAHOO! Team
Your instinct is right — old wood-sash windows are exactly where the wrong crew does damage. Antique wavy glass is thinner and less forgiving than modern panes, and the glazing putty holding it gets brittle with age. On homes like yours we slow down and hand-detail: gentle tools only, no aggressive scraping against the putty lines, careful pressure on old glass, and we work around painted muntins instead of over them. We clean historic homes regularly — the same approach we use in Pensacola's East Hill applies to downtown Milton and Bagdad. Fair warning on scope: cleaning makes old windows look their best, but it won't restore failing putty or peeling paint — that's a restoration carpenter's job, and we'll tell you if we spot it. More at window cleaning in Milton, or call or text 850-378-3301.