Everyone can clean a window — spray on the cleaner and wipe if off. Sounds simple but there’s a little more to it than that. Did you leave any streaks? Oh really — you missed that? Doesn’t look too good to have super clean window with super big streaks on it. There are a few reasons why windows are so hard to clean and not leave streaks but let’s get down to some techniques so at least you have that under your belt.
Use a cloth or sponge dipped in the cleaning solution to wipe the entire window then use a squeegee to remove the solution. Wipe away any extra solution around the edge of the window with a cloth.
When using a squeegee, use one continuous motion from top to bottom. Wipe the solution off of the squeegee with a damp cloth before making your next pass on the window and overlap the clean area slightly so you don’t leave a line of solution between each squeegee pass.
If you prefer using newspaper or a coffee filter, apply the solution with a spray bottle and wipe the solution away using horizontal or vertical strokes for a streak-free finish.
Clean your windows on an overcast day or when the sun isn’t shining directly on the window — the sun dries the cleaning solution before you can remove it, leaving behind streaks and marks.
Always wet the glass or use a damp cloth to remove spots on the window. Scraping at a spot on a dry window might scratch the glass and rubbing dry dirt can also cause small scratches on the glass surface. Never use abrasives on the windows, you might make a scratch in the glass. Avoid using paper towels as they leave bits of lint and paper remnants.
If you use a commercial window cleaner, choose one with an ammonia base — This lets the solution dry faster and reduces the chances of chemicals being left behind. Try different combinations of cleaning solutions and cleaning tools to find the one that works best for you.
Using these techniques, and maybe learning a few other new ones, will help you clean windows without streaking. Your new found window cleaning skills will make your house look great from the outside and will brighten up your home from the inside. No matter what results you get, your newly cleaned and streak-free windows will allow you to view your world more clearly.
