With spring in full bloom and the sun wandering the sky more than half of every day, it might be an appropriate time for you to let all the light indoors that you can by washing the windows.

With assistance from the National Widow Safety Council and Simonton Windows, here are some tips to help put your best squeegee forward:

• Never use a high-pressure spray. The extreme pressure could crack or destroy caulking around the units. Instead, take the time to clean the windows individually. If you have windows with vinyl frame, a soft cloth or ordinary long-handled soft-bristle brush and some mild detergent might be all that is necessary. Do not use abrasive cleaners that could scratch the frame or glass.

• Stain removal: To remove unexpected stains on vinyl windows and door frames (such as bubblegum, felt-tip pens, lipstick, motor oil, or top soil), try using Fantastik cleaner. For tougher stains (such as tar, pencil, or oil marks) use Soft Scrub. If the children decide to draw on the windows with crayon, Lestoil can often remove their efforts.

• Tilt-in windows: It won't help you now, but when it's time to replace your windows, order those with a tilt-in feature. All cleaning takes place inside the home, so ladders are not necessary. With the release of a safety lock, the window sash can carefully drop (or swing) into the home to make cleaning fast and easy.

• Clean the stripping: Vacuum around the edges of your weather stripping to remove dirt buildup. Carefully vacuum window screens regularly instead of removing them and cleaning with soap and water.

• Sock it to them: Recycle old white cotton socks and use them for cleaning windowsills and frames. Slip the socks on your hands and you can "feel your way" toward a cleaner window. Try using a light combination of vinegar and water to gain sparkling glass.

• Don't tamper: Never insert nails or screws in the interior or exterior of a window frame to hold up holiday decorations or lights. Window frames should never be tampered with or they can lose their ability to function properly. There's also the chance something inserted in the frame could compromise the window's energy efficiency or even puncture the waterproof channel of the frame.

• Polishing brass: If you have brass hardware on your windows, use a dry, clean, soft cotton cloth in a well-ventilated area to remove dust and dirt from the protective lacquer coating on the hardware. Over time, all brass hardware eventually develops tarnish when the protective coating breaks down. When this happens, remove the hardware from the window and use fine steel wool soaked in a light oil or soapy water on the hardware. Restore the clean hardware's luster with polish and then apply several coatings of automobile wax.

• Buddy system: If you do have to use a ladder to gain access to the exterior of your windows for cleaning, work on the buddy system. Always have someone hold the base of the ladder for you and secure it on a level surface. Avoid loose-fitting clothing (which could get stuck in the ladder), and wear close-toed shoes or sneakers — no sandals, please.

You can find ladder-safety tips at www.consumerreports.org; search for "Tips for safer ladder use."

• Frame cleaning: Thoroughly wash the exterior frames of your windows (including the sill that is exposed within your home closest to the screens) twice yearly. Remove any bugs or dirt that may have accumulated.

• Here's a "Q" tip: Over time, dirt might accumulate on window edges and corners. To remove the buildup, use cotton swabs dipped in vinegar. Be sure to thoroughly rinse with water afterward.