As a homeowner, cleaning your windows can feel like an endless chore. While those windows may look transparent, they really catch and show every streak, smear, and spec of dirt. When your windows are cloudy and covered in grime, it doesn’t look good from the outside and prevents natural sunlight from coming into your home.
Luckily, with the right tools and techniques, you can get your windows to look crystal clear again. Check out these tips to clean your windows like a pro!
Supplies You Need
Having the proper cleaning tools makes achieving crystal-clear windows a breeze. Be sure to have these supplies on hand:
- Microfiber cloths – ultra-absorbent, lint-free, non-abrasive
- Squeegee – swiftly eliminates water and cleaning solution
- Spray bottles – mists on cleaning mixture and rinse water
- Window brush/pole – cleans exterior windows from the ground
- White vinegar – dissolves dirt and enhances cleaning power
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Prepare your windows for cleaning.
Before you start scrubbing, take a few minutes to get your windows ready for cleaning. This makes the process more effective. Here’s what to do:
- Remove any knick-knacks, books, curtains, blinds, etc., that are sitting on the windowsill or covering the glass. Trust me, you would want easy access to the entire window.
- Also, don’t forget to open the window! This allows you to conveniently reach both the interior and exterior surfaces in one go.
- Take a minute to inspect the window for any stuck-on gunk or grime that will need a little extra scrubbing.
- Finally, have a vacuum ready to go – there’s bound to be some errant dirt and dust that falls off during cleaning that you’ll want to remove promptly.
How to clean the interior part of a window
It’s best to start your window cleaning on the interior side. This avoids drips and streaks on the inside glass later on. And here’s how to get them spotless:
- Begin by using a dry microfiber cloth to wipe off any loose particles and dust.
- Then, it’s time to mix up your cleaning solution. Fill a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and water. This accomplishes two goals: the vinegar helps cut through dirt and debris, while the water provides a streak-free rinse. Mist the window glass liberally with the solution.
- Use a lint-free microfiber cloth to wipe the window clean. Go up and down with an “S” pattern motion rather than scrubbing harshly. Make sure to flip and refold your cloth frequently to expose a clean surface. For more oversized windows, switch to using a squeegee. Wipe in overlapping rows from top to bottom.
- Don’t forget to carefully clean the window corners, edges, and frame with a small brush or cotton swabs. These areas often attract extra dirt and can be prone to streaks.
How to clean windows without streaks
Nothing makes freshly cleaned windows look worse than streaks left behind. Luckily, avoiding them is easy with a few simple tricks:
- Always rely on microfiber products without lint instead of paper towels or rags.
- Fold your microfiber cloths into quarters and refold frequently to get a new cleaning side.
- Buff windows dry with a towel post-cleaning to soak up drips.
- Clean windows on cloudy days when the sun won’t cause fast evaporation.
- Use enough cleaning solution to avoid excessive wiping friction.
- Re-clean streaky spots with more solution.
How to clean the exterior part of a window
Once you’ve cleaned the inside of your windows to a sparkling shine, it’s time to freshen up the exterior too.
- Start by using an extendable window washing pole with a brush attachment. This lets you easily sweep away any cobwebs, dust, leaves, etc., from those hard-to-reach second-story windows.
- For stuck-on dirt, grime, and natural buildup outside, spray the entire surface with water from your hose or a pressure washer if you have one. Let it soak in briefly before wiping.
- Mix a bucket of water with just a few drops of dish soap – this helps lift dirt without leaving a film behind. Dip a soft cloth in the solution and wipe down the exterior. Use a spray bottle to rinse the window with clean water gently, then thoroughly wipe dry with a microfiber towel.
- Be extra thorough on exterior window sills and frames where dirt loves to accumulate.
How to clean window screens
While you have those windows open already, it’s also the perfect chance to freshen up dirty window screens.
- Start by completely removing each screen so you can fully access both sides.
- Use a vacuum attachment to clear off loose specs.
- Mix warm water and a small amount of mild dish detergent in a bucket. Use a soft brush to scrub the wire screens gently.
- Then, thoroughly rinse off all the soap with a garden hose. Set the screens in the sun to completely dry before placing them back in your windows.
The best home remedy for cleaning windows
You don’t need fancy cleaners for sparkling windows. This simple homemade solution works wonders:
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Vinegar cleans, and water rinses cleanly.
- Add a few drops of lemon, eucalyptus, or peppermint essential oil for extra cleaning power.
- Make a fresh batch weekly for best results. And store out of direct sunlight.
How often should you clean your windows?
Most windows need a thorough cleaning at least twice a year – spring and fall.
However, high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms may need cleaning every 2-3 months as they get dirtier faster. So, clean outdoor windows whenever you notice pronounced dirt buildup – keep them from getting too grimy.
Window cleaning mistakes to avoid
While cleaning windows may sound straightforward, a few common mistakes can sabotage your results. And some of these are:
- Using paper towels or newspaper which can cause lint and streaking.
- Wiping windows dry without buffing which allows streaks to form.
- Cleaning windows in direct sunlight which causes fast drying.
- Using dirty cleaning tools that can redistribute dirt and grime.
- Applying too much pressure while wiping pushes dirt around.
- Forgetting to clean window frames, sills, and screens.
You can achieve spotless windows throughout your home with simple dos and don’ts. Just remember to prep properly, use the right tools, work top to bottom, buff dry, and tackle interior and exterior surfaces.
Call K&J Windows Today For Sparkling Clean Windows
As leading window and door replacement experts in Phoenix, AZ, K&J Windows specializes in making homes brighter and more beautiful. Call (602) 942-0954 today to schedule window or door replacement services and keep your views crystal clear year-round.
