Although cleaning your windows may seem simple enough, but it can be a chore that many people hate doing because you have to struggle with annoying streaks, dirt & grime, heavy buckets of water, and big wads of paper and newspaper. It is also easy to cause damage without the proper know-how. To keep your windows clean and streak free, follow our tips on cleaning the inside and outside of your windows!
Pro tip! – Wash your windows during a time when the sun is NOT shining directly on the window. The sun will cause the cleaning fluid to dry up and leave streaks and spots!
If your windows are really dirty, it is recommended to first give them a good scrub with some cool water mixed with a few drops of liquid dish soap. Put a towel down underneath the window to catch any spills. Then, wipe down the window and frame with a sponge or soft microfiber cloth.
After the initial cleaning, or if you did not need to, mix one-part hot water with one-part distilled white vinegar and fill up a spray bottle with the mixture. Place a towel down along the window sill, then spray the vinegar solution onto the window, being careful not to get too much on the frame. Once the window is covered, grab your squeegee and wet it first because a dry blade will skip. Start at the top of the window, pulling straight down, and wiping the blade after each stroke with a microfiber cloth or sponge. Repeat from the top slightly overlapping the last stroke.
The outside of windows tends to get dirtier because of all the elements. Start by spraying the windows with your garden hose. Next, fill a bucket with cool water and a little bit of liquid dish detergent. If you can reach the window, clean it using a microfiber cloth or sponge. If your windows are too high, use a sponge mop or a soft cotton or microfiber mop to reach up higher. Then, rinse the windows again with a hose.
Create a mixture with one-part hot water with one-part distilled white vinegar and fill up a spray bottle with the solution. If you have hard to reach windows, create the same vinegar solution in a bucket, and use a sponge mop to apply the solution. If you have a commercial cleaner that you prefer, use that instead of vinegar. Vinegar is great because it is inexpensive and is something most people have in their pantries already. Wipe the mixture away with a wet squeegee by starting at the top of the window glass and pulling straight down. Wipe the squeegee blade before each stroke with a sponge or microfiber cloth.
Pro Tip!: You can also use the same vinegar solution to clean your window screens! Remove the screens for cleaning and be sure to let them dry completely before replacing them!