How to Clean Windows Without Streaks

It’s normal to want your windows to be as clean as the day they were installed, whether they are old or new. Clean windows let more light into your house and help you feel more connected to nature. However, figuring out how to clean your windows properly while avoiding streaks and scratching may be difficult. This article will provide in-depth insight on how to wash windows.

Basic Window Washing Equipment needed

How to clean windows is a common question asked- keep in mind that the same high-quality products that professionals use are easily accessible online, in stores, and all types of hardware shops. Here’s what you’ll require:

Squeegee, 10 or 12 in.
A sponge or a scrubber.
A bucket of water (a 5-gallon plastic bucket will work).
Dish Soap
Small towels or lint-free rags
A ladder, as well as a ladder stabilizer, are required (if needed)

The best way to wash windows is to maintain a sharp, fresh rubber blade on your squeegee. Purchase an extra three or four rubber blades to keep on hand. By merely reversing blades that haven’t been nicked or cut, you may get a bit more life out of them. Make sure nothing contacts the blade when storing the squeegee.

Steps to Cleaning Windows without Streaking and Cleaning the Inside of Windows (steps by Step Process)

Add a few drops of liquid dish soap to a bucket or big pot of clean, cold water.
To collect any spillage, place a big bath towel beneath the window.
Wipe off the surface of the window with a clean microfiber cloth or sponge, starting at the top and working your way down. Don’t forget to clean both the inside and outside of the frame.
Using the vinegar and water solution, or a commercial window cleaning product if you want, thoroughly spray the window. One capful of vinegar mixed with two gallons of water is another alternative.
Dry the window fully using a Z-shaped motion with a clean, lint-free towel (or black-and-white newspaper pages). If you want, you can also dry the windows with clean paper towels.
Spray the window and dry once more if dirt or streaks remain. (Dirty windows usually need two coats of sprays with cleaning solution and drying time.)
Remember to work on a cold, overcast day to prevent the soapy water and window-cleaning solution from drying on your windows.

Cleaning Windows from The Outside and How to Clean Windows without Streaks (Steps by Step Process)

Dirt and stains are more common on outside windows. Fill a bucket with clean, cold water and a few drops of dish detergent after washing the windows with the hose to help with the cleaning process.
Go over the window’s surface with a delicate microfiber cloth. Use a sponge mop (soft cotton towel) on a pole to clean the upper parts of the windows that are much higher.
Thoroughly rinse with the hose.
Use a commercial cleaner or a vinegar and water solution to spray or mop the floor.
Using a clean, rubber-bladed squeegee, dry the window. Working from top to bottom, put the squeegee on an angle and work towards the bottom of the window. At the end of each complete wipe, clean the squeegee with a dry cloth. You may also dry the windows with a clean, lint-free cloth or newspaper pages.
Dilute tough dirt and stains, such as bird droppings, with vinegar and water and allow sit for a few minutes before washing. You may also use a gentle cleaning sponge, but avoid using steel wool or strong scrubbing cloth since they can damage the glass.
The window screens should not be overlooked. Rinse with simple water, then spritz with a vinegar-water solution before rinsing with plain water once more. Replace the screens on the windows when they have dried completely.

How To Clean Window Tracks (Steps by Step Process)

Completely open your window. You may accomplish this with or without your window screen in place, but we recommend that you remove it and leave it away.
Vacuum out all the loose dirt and dead insects from the window tracks with a small vacuum (or a regular vacuum but use a narrow nozzle attachment).
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda into the window tracks.
In a spray type bottle, mix equal parts of water and white vinegar. Spray the baking soda into the window tracks until it is evenly soaked. The powder will froth and fizz due to a chemical interaction between both the baking soda and vinegar. Allow for a 5- to 10-minute soak period.
Spray the vertical window tracks around the sides of your window with more of the vinegar-water combination as the baking soda fizzes. Scrub the vertical track with an old toothbrush from the top to the bottom. Make sure to go within the window tracks’ corners.
Return your gaze to the bottom of your open window now. To efficiently clean window tracks, brush from one end of the track to the other, cleaning the corners and grooves completely.
Towards the upper part of the vertical track, push down with a piece of paper towel. Wipe all of the filth toward the track’s bottom in a smooth, continuous manner. Repeat again with a fresh piece of paper towel. If one of the tracks is still unclean, spritz it with more solution and wipe it again.

Types of Window Cleaning Solutions to Use

If you’re going to buy a solution, make sure it’s a professional cleaner from a reputable brand.
You may either use a premixed vinegar-based solution or prepare your own with our easy window cleaning DIY.

Homemade Window Cleaning Solution

Making your own window cleaning solution with basic distilled vinegar, often known as white vinegar, is one of our favourite window cleaning tips. This is a simple product to locate (assuming you don’t already have it on hand). Its acidic formula effectively breaks down the streaky coating that might build up on your window and other glass surfaces.

Cleaning windows with vinegar: In a spray bottle, combine one part of distilled vinegar with ten parts of warm water.

Using Vinegar to Clean Larger Windows

If your windows are too large to clean with a spray bottle and towel, use a slightly more diluted solution in a bucket by combining one part vinegar with ten parts water.

Using a sponge, wet your window with the solution from your bucket. To avoid streaking, you’ll want to accomplish this as fast as possible.

Wipe the solution from the glass with a moist squeegee starting at the top and working your way down. To avoid leaking, wipe the squeegee’s edge clean after each stroke.

Tips for Hard-to-Clean Windows

A razor blade placed in a holder is used to remove paint spots and labels. To avoid scratching the glass, always use a new blade. Firstly, wash the window and run the blade across it once. To avoid trapping dirt beneath the blade that might damage the glass, rinse the blade and repeat on the next piece. On the tempered glass, avoid using a razor blade.

A fine (white) nylon scrub pad can be used to remove tree pitch or insect droppings. To make sure you’re not scratching the glass, wet it first and massage it in an inconspicuous spot.

Using moderate home abrasives and an ordinary power drill, remove stubborn glass stains and built-up mineral deposits from shower doors or other glass surfaces.

Here’s how to do it.

For difficult areas, make a DIY window cleaner using 1/2 cup ammonia and a gallon of water.

Soak sticky residue from labels or tape with a specialized solution. Then, using a razor blade, scrape off the residue.

FAQs

Why are my windows streaky after I clean them?

If your window has streaks, it’s most likely due to residue from commercial solutions. For a streak-free window cleaning, we have a window washing solution: combine two cups of water, 1/4 cup white vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon dish detergent in a mix and follow our “best method to clean your windows” procedure.

Is newspaper good for cleaning windows?

Newspaper is a tried-and-true window cleaner because it doesn’t leave fibres behind and acts as a tough scrubber on the outside of the glass, where dirt and grime from the outside can accumulate on surfaces. However, keep in mind that some newspapers, particularly those printed with petroleum-based ink, could leave ink stains.

How do you clean baked on grease off the glass?

Sprinkle baking soda on the damaged parts of the glass if there is built-up grease and dirt. Spray the baking soda and vinegar solution over the surface; it will start to bubble, which will aid in the removal of the buildup.

How do you get sticky labels off glass windows?

Allow 10-30 minutes for the window cleaner or rubbing alcohol to sink into the sticker. Then use a razor blade to scrape away any remaining sticker or residue.

At MCA Group we are highly skilled professionals who understand every aspect of residential and commercial window cleaning and the best way to clean windows. We are willing to take this task off your hands! Call us today!