You should pay attention to details if you want a clean house. It’s not the cheap window cleaners that are the secret, but the way you wipe the glass. Many of the best cleaning products for windows are made at home! Let’s see how to shine your windows.

Window cleaning products are available.

For streak-free glass, you’ll need the professional window cleaning tools and right window cleaners (and some practice). What you will need is:

  • Sponge
    Use a sponge and soapy water to clean the window sill and glass. We don’t recommend cleaning windows with brushes because the bristles are too stiff and can scratch the glass.
  • Bucket
    You will need a large bucket or container you can fill up with water and soap. You’ll need a container that is large enough to accommodate a squeegee.
  • Window squeegee
    Even expert window cleaners use a window squeegee. When used correctly, the window squeegee removes water from the glass evenly, leaving behind a perfect reflection. Use a squeegee that has a rubber blade. You can use an extension pole to clean windows that are high.
  • Clean microfiber cloth
    Use a microfiber towel instead of rags or old t-shirts. It is lint free and will clean your window better than any other cloth.
  • Window cleaning detergent
    The right product will break down the grease and grime, and help your squeegee glide smoothly without leaving behind any residue. Dishwashing liquid is sometimes used, but it can be too sudsy and leave streaks. Pre-clean your windows with dish soap. Use commercial window cleaners to save time or make your own. Below is an example of a recipe.

Recipe for window cleaning detergent

You’ll also need:

  • A spray bottle that is empty
  • White Vinegar
  • Tap water

In the spray bottle, mix 50% vinegar and 50% water. This solution works best when you wash your windows first with soapy water. After cleaning the glass, you may get streaks due to the residue of commercial cleaning detergents.

How to clean windows step by step

Prepare your home for cleaning by gathering the necessary supplies and creating the cleaning solution.

  1. Get your window cleaning materials ready.
    Gather all the materials you will need. You’ll be able to complete your tasks faster if you prepare ahead.
  2. Pre-cleanse with soapy water.
    Mix water and dish soap together until foam forms. Use a sponge to thoroughly clean windows using soapy water. This will remove any detergent residue from previous cleanings. You can wash in one direction (left to right, top to bottom or whatever you prefer). Make sure the entire glass is covered in soapy water.
  3. Remove the window.
    You’ll need a scraper to remove adhesive tape, stickers or paint. Always wash the glass before using the scraper. Only use it on wet glasses. Scrape only in one direction. Invest in new scrapers. Sharp edges can save you time and help prevent scratches.
  4. Use detergent to clean the windows.
    It’s now time to wash the entire window. Begin by applying detergent. Use a sponge to wipe the window. Make sure that you only go in one direction. From top to bottom, wipe the window.
  5. Removing excess water and detergent
    Grab your squeegee to remove water from windows. To maintain a streak-free glass and a clean squeegee, wipe the squeegee between streaks. Once the window is soaked in soapy water, grab your squeegee to wipe the water from the glass. It is best to wipe from top-to-bottom. You can also wipe from the top left to bottom-right (and vice versa). It is best to always follow the rule of top to bottom. You will get many smears if the window is already starting to dry.
  6. Buff the windows.
    Shiny windows are the best. This gives your home a clean, polished look. It is best to use a newspaper to buff the glass. Make sure the window is completely dry, and the newspaper doesn’t contain anything that could damage the glass.

Window cleaning: Dos and Don’ts

You might think that window cleaning is simple, but you may notice streaks afterward and wonder what went wrong. Knowing how to properly clean windows can save you time, just like any other surface cleaning. Here are some things you should avoid or strive to achieve!

Dos and Don’ts of Window Cleaning

  • Wipe off excess water using a microfiber cloth.
  • Wash the window in segments. Wash, rinse, and dry each area separately. If you use soap to clean all the windows at once, you will have to wait until you reach the last window before it dries.
  • If you are cleaning high windows, use a ladder that is stable and ladder pads to prevent scratching.
    Step back and take a look at the window from a different perspective, even if you believe you have cleaned it perfectly. There may be some streaks or smudges.
  • Spring is the best time to clean your windows. Window cleaning is best done in the spring. Do not wait until the summer heat. On a hot summer day, it’s more difficult to clean windows because the water evaporates faster and leaves streaks.
  • Before you begin cleaning your windows, dust the blinds and wash the sunscreens. If you don’t, then your windows will get dirty again.

Don’ts for window cleaning

  • Do not always use a scraper. Only use a scraper when there are persistent marks or stains on the window, like sticker residue.
  • Don’t use abrasive cleaning detergents. Window cleaning should not involve the use of abrasive cleaning detergents or tools. They can scratch the glass. It is expensive and difficult to polish your glass if it becomes scratched. Sometimes, you may need to replace the entire window.
  • Use a microfiber towel instead of newspaper. Newspaper is one of the worst things you can do when cleaning windows. These products contain chemicals that can damage your window. You may also find ink smudges.
  • Use a cloth instead. It leaves behind particles that will make your windows look dirty.
  • Don’t use too much soap. If you use too much soap, it will attract dust and your windows will soon look dirty.
  • Do not clean your windows during hot and sunny days. You’ll get marks on the glass before you can rinse it off because the sun will quickly dry it. Early morning or dawn is the best time to clean your windows.

Takeaway

Microfiber towels are better than old rags. They do not leave fibres behind on the glass.
Use distilled water if you can. Hard water can leave streaks in your glass because it contains minerals and other particles.
Avoid cleaning on sunny days and clean early in the morning.
You can also hire professional cleaners who will do this chore for you and others.