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How to Clean Windows

Ready to clean some windows? It is a task that is easily put off, but it is worth the effort. While cleaning windows is not rocket science, there are some tips and tricks to help you get clean and streak free windows. 

Cleaning your Windows and Screens

First, remove any screens and clean carefully with warm soapy water and a sponge. If your windows are full of dirt, rinse them off with a hose then continue to clean with window cleaner and a sponge. Now, remove the window cleaner with a squeegee, paper towel or lint free cloth. Squeegees produce the best outcome (when used correctly). Snap your screens back into place and you are done. Sounds easy enough, just keep in mind the below tips to help you along the way.

Basic Window Cleaning Tips

• It is easier to clean windows on cloudy day. Hot days lead to hot windows, which will then dry your window cleaner before you are done cleaning them, leaving you with streaks.
• Wipe the outside of your windows horizontally and the inside vertically. Now if you end up with streaks, you will know what side of the window they are on.
• You can use newspaper to clean your windows instead of paper towels. In my experience newspapers don’t do a better or worse job, but it is cheaper. If you are doing a lot of windows with newspaper, wear gloves to insure your hands don’t end up covered in ink. 
• Use plenty of water to scrub your window clean, but be careful not to leave water puddles on your wood work. 
• For hard water spots, soak a paper towel in vinegar and let it sit on the spot for 20 minutes.
• Use two buckets when cleaning your windows, one for your window cleaner and one for rinsing. 
• Micro Fiber cloths work especially well in cleaning windows. 

Homemade Window Cleaner

To make your own window cleaner, mix 1 cup vinegar, 1 gallon of water and 1/8 cup of cornstarch. Wash down your windows with this cleaner and wipe dry. 

Cleaning High Windows Outside

There are a couple different ways to go about cleaning high windows outside. The most effective way is to get out your ladder and wash by hand. Well this is not the easiest, this typically will give you the best results. 

Second, you can buy a product that attaches to you hose. Magic American Goo Gone Window Wash is one of the many products that hooks up to your hose to help you clean windows out of reach. Windex also makes a window spray cleaner. With your hose these cleaners can reach windows on a first or second story. Most of these cleaners leave minimal streaks and do a fairly good job. 

Lastly, you can use a window squeegee/sponge with a long arm. Squeegees can be a little difficult when using them from a distance, you need to apply the right pressure in the right spot, but with some practice you can become flawless (or close to it). For windows close in reach, Windex makes an Outdoor All-in-One Glass Cleaning Tool that has a built in cleaner on a pad that is activated by water. The down side to this product is it only has 4 foot arm and won’t reach most second story windows.

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