How To Clean Windows

When deciding how to clean windows, pick a window cleaner and choose a method. The cleaner could be anything from something homemade (just a few drops of dish soap in a large bucket of water can work, just limit the amount of suds - or you could add white vinegar to the water) or something that you get at the store.

Of these, (and only based on my own experience) I like Windex better than GlassPlus. Less streaking. Really though, the technique is what matters, so just work with something that you like. The money you save by using a homemade cleaner isn't significant.

Two Methods To Choose From

Either use the bucket of soapy water with a squeegy, or use a spray bottle of window cleaner with a hand wiper. If you have large windows, the squeegy would be faster and easier.

If you have windows of typical sizes for homes, the spray bottle will probably do a better job. The material you use to wipe the windows is very important.

Paper towels will streak and leave a residue. Cloth towels will leave lint. Believe it or not, the best material to use when wiping the spray off the windows is old newspaper.

No, it doesn't streak or leave any ink stains on the glass. You can test it by trying one window with paper or cloth, and another with the newspaper. See which you think does the better job.

For Large Windows

Collect the proper tools for your cleaning job. This means a strip applicator with a long cloth head and a squeegy. These tools limit the amount of scrubbing, which just moves the dirt around and creates a static charge on the window, which will attract more dirt as soon as you're finished.

Since streaks are caused by the solution drying before it can be squeegeed off, wash your windows on a cloudy day. Or you could do it in the early morning or evening - when the sun isn't directly on the windows.

You will need to clean both sides of the window, inside and out. Apply your solution with the strip applicator all over the window, knocking dirt loose.

Then, start at the top left with the squeegee, pulling it over the pane in a reverse-S pattern. If you are left-handed, you should start at the top right.

At the end of the S stroke, wipe the blade clean with a lint-free cloth. Cloth diapers, old towels or linen napkins that you don’t use anymore are all good for this. Repeat the S motion until the window is clear of the solution.

Tips on How To Clean Windows

1. While applying cleaning solution on the interior surface of the window panes keep the strokes horizontal. For the external surface of the window, the strokes should be vertical. Thus you can minimize appearance of the streaks.

2. Use overlapping strokes with the squeegee so that you do not miss any area.

3. Use sufficient amount of water to wash the windows. Otherwise, there's a chance that dirt and soap residues may be left behind on the glass.

4. Take care that the water is not allowed to stand on the woodwork of the window as it can cause damage to the wood.

5. One of the most important tips about how to clean windows is that you should not forget to clean up the window frames and tracks. You can either wipe them off with a clean cloth or you can vacuum clean them using an attachment.

6. If there are stubborn spots on the window panes caused by resin or glue, they may not come off with normal washing. You have to use a scraper first and then wash the windows. Move the scraper only in one direction so that it does not cause any scratches on the glass.

We hope that these tips on how to clean windows will make the job slightly easier for you. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions about how to clean windows by clicking here.

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