The days are over of you spending hours cleaning windows only to see those dreaded streaks when you’re done! The thing about glass is that it shows every imperfection, no matter how small, which is why knowing how to clean windows properly will save you a lot of time and frustration. You can enjoy beautiful, clean, streak-free windows. So, if you’re wondering how to clean glass windows without streaks, be sure to read through.
Window Cleaning Equipment: What You’ll Need
Your window cleaning kit will depend on the size of your windows, how dirty they are, and the amount of time you have. A basic kit includes:
- A bucket with warm water
- Cleaning solution
- A squeegee
- A sponge
- Lint-free cloths
- Gloves.
Your cleaning solution of choice will depend on a lot of things. You could opt for a homemade, DIY window cleaner or a commercial, store-bought product.
Tips for Cleaning Glass Windows Without Leaving Streaks
Get Rid of Dirt First
Before you apply your cleaning solution onto the windows, remove any dirt and dust off the frame by using a brush or vacuum cleaner. Doing this will prevent dirt from mixing with the cleaner, avoiding a muddy mess.
Don’t Hold Back on the Cleaner
Be generous when applying your cleaning solution, even more so if your windows are exceptionally dirty. The cleaner helps to dissolve the dirt so it can be wiped off. If you don’t apply enough cleaner, you’ll have streaks to contend with. Additionally, if you’re going to be using commercial cleaners, opt for a more gel-like product that doesn’t run down the second it touches the surface. The less dripping there is, the easier the job.
Don’t Just Use Any Cloth
The fibers that regular cloths are made from generally aren’t good for cleaning windows. They’re notorious for leaving streaks, irrespective of whether you use branded sprays or homemade cleaning solutions. What you want to use instead is a reusable microfiber cloth to clean windows. Microfiber cloths are better because they are lint-free and their super absorbency means they do a brilliant job of giving you shiny windows without a single streak in sight. And since they’re reusable, they’re also an eco- and budget-friendly cleaning option. If you prefer paper towels, however, just make sure that they’re also lint-free.
Use Newspaper
An alternative to using microfiber cloths is newspaper to clean windows (or if you like, you could use both). It’s really easy and works well. All you have to do is take some newspaper, scrunch it up, and start wiping it dry until your windows are sparkling clean. Just be warned, however, that this method does require a bit of effort, but the results are definitely worth it.
Squeegees Are Super Useful
Squeegees can be a little tricky to master, but once you get the hang of it, you won’t want to use anything else.
Start by wetting the window with your cleaning solution. Next, take a damp, lint-free cloth to wipe the blade of the squeegee clean. Starting from the top, pull the squeegee horizontally across the window once. Wipe the blade before wiping the window again, making sure to overlap the first strip by an inch or two to avoid creating visible lines between each strip. Continue doing this until you get to the bottom of the window. Finish off by using lint-free cloths to wipe any remaining soap and to dry off the window for a spotless clean.
Repeat this on the outside of the window, but with vertical movements. If any marks are left behind, using this method will allow you to distinguish between window marks on the inside and out. If you have very large windows, clean them in small sections to avoid streaks forming as a result of the cleaning solution drying up before you can wipe it.
Window Vacuums Are a Thing
Ever heard of a window vacuum? If you haven’t, listen up. If you want to to clean glass windows without streaks, these provide another great way to ensure a good finish. After you’ve cleaned your window as usual, take your window vacuum and use it to suck up the excess water, cleaning liquid or dirt left on the window. They can also be used beforehand to remove dust, cob webs and other debris from your windows.
Clean with Vinegar
You don’t have to use chemical cleaning products to get your windows clean. You can make your own homemade cleaning solution that works just as well.
One popular homemade solution is a vinegar and water solution. All you need is half a cup of white or cider vinegar, two cups of water, and a quarter cup of rubbing alcohol with a concentration of 70%. An alternative is to mix two tablespoons of the vinegar with warm water in a small bucket. Mix these ingredients together, pour the solution into a spray bottle and you’re good to go. Put on some gloves and follow the soapy water method below. Simple, yet still effective.
The Soapy Water Method
This method is especially good if your windows have a lot of dirt that isn’t necessarily stubborn. Make a soapy water solution made up of one gallon of warm water and half a tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Using an abrasive sponge, wipe the soapy water onto the window without adding suds (avoid making the water too bubbly, as suds cause a lot of streaks). Rinse the window using clean water and use a squeegee to remove any excess soap before drying it off with lint-free cloths. It’s and easy, simple method and your windows will look great.
Clean with Lemons
Another simple, inexpensive method involves using a lemon. This is particularly for smaller windows as it’s a bit labor-intensive. Cut a lemon in half, remove the pips, and rub the lemon all over the window. Then take a lint-free cloth and wipe it clean.
Never Clean Your Windows on a Sunny Day
You want to clean your windows only on cloudy days. When the sun is out, the heat causes the window cleaner to dry quicker, before you can wipe it off, leaving behind some stubborn streaks. If you can’t wait for a cloudy day, start cleaning the windows on the shady side of your home first then work your way around.
So just to summarize, if your windows aren’t that dirty, simply use a dampened microfiber cloth to wet the window, then dry it off with a squeegee and dry lint-free cloths. For slightly dirtier windows, use the abrasive sponge and soapy water method. And if your windows are seriously dirty, then the vinegar solution will give you streak-free windows. Using the right method for your windows is an important part of learning how to clean glass windows without streaks.
Don’t Have the Time? Call a Window Cleaning Professional
If you simply don’t have time to clean your windows yourself, just hire professional window cleaners to do the job for you. One of the benefits of hiring professionals is that it’s the quickest, easiest way to get clean, streak-free windows without having to put in the work yourself.
You don’t have to spend your Saturday morning cleaning windows – but you still get to show off your beautiful home to your guests. Especially if you have large windows, calling in a professional makes more sense than doing the job yourself. Either you’ll need to strain dangerously on a ladder to reach your whole window, or you’ll only be able to clean the bottom half within your reach.
Enjoy Streak-free Windows
And there you have it! Now you know how to clean glass windows without streaks and annoying marks. Getting streak-free windows is not as complicated as you might have thought. It’s just about choosing the right cleaners and methods. The methods above work and they are effective, so you don’t have to keep putting your window cleaning off anymore. You too can get flawless, clear windows after the first time clean.