Start by cleaning the frames and windowsills with clean soapy water (washing-up liquid is suitable) or specialist cleaner for uPVC. Use a cloth to remove any dirt stuck on the frames and then wipe them dry.
Next, wash the window glass using a squeegee. To avoid drips and missed spots, place a clean lint-free towel over your finger to create a dry area for the squeegee to work from.
1. Washing
A good washing of windows is a great starting point for most window cleaning jobs. Using a clean lint-free cloth (microfiber is best) or a squeegee, wet the surface of the glass. Be sure to avoid splashing cleaner on the frames or other non-glass surfaces, which will cause streaks.
Once the surface is wet, apply a mild cleaning solution such as all-purpose household detergent or distilled vinegar mixed with water. Work with one section at a time, making sure to rinse your sponge in between applications to prevent spotting the window. When done washing, dry the window with a terrycloth rag or micro-fiber towel.
To wash a large picture window, experts prefer a method called “the snake.” Start in an upper corner and move a narrow strip of glass from side to side across the top of the pane. This creates a dry, clean edge for the squeegee to work from and helps prevent water pooling around the edges of the window frame and causing drips. Once the top of the window is cleaned, start working down the pane in horizontal stokes. For each stroke, slightly overlap the previous one with your squeegee. Throughout the process, keep wiping the rubber blade of your squeegee with a clean rag to remove any cleaning solution residue that has built up.
To clean hard-to-reach corners, use a squeegee with a long handle. If you’re teetering on a ladder, consider a telescoping window cleaning pole with microfiber cloths at the head that rotate and extend to over five feet. This lets you reach the corners of tall windows without teetering on the ladder or risking your safety. When you’re finished washing, don’t forget to wipe the window frame and sill with a clean lint-free rag. This is a great opportunity to eliminate any leftover cleaner and prevent future streaks. Streaks usually occur during drying, not when you’re washing the windows, so don’t skip this step! Streaks are caused by a build-up of water or cleaner on the window. To avoid them, use a squeegee or clean lint-free cloth to dry the entire surface of each window pane.
2. Scrubbing
While dishes get washed, clothes get cleaned, and floors are mopped, windows often end up neglected. Over time, that leaves them with a film of dust and dirt that makes it difficult to see the outside world. Cleaning them properly can make your whole home brighter and more welcoming. And, with summer right around the corner, it’s a good idea to make this chore a regular part of your household cleaning routine.
The first step to clean windows is to scrub them with a mild cleaner, such as an all-purpose cleaner and water. Use a soft cloth or sponge that is free of fibers such as cotton or paper towels, which can leave behind lint. Instead, choose a lint-free material like microfiber, which cleans effectively without any chemical cleaners and can be reused hundreds of times.
After scrubbing the window with a damp cloth or sponge, the next step is to squeegee away the remaining soapy water. Start at one of the upper corners, then drag the squeegee horizontally across the window. Repeat the process from the opposite corner, then dry the window sills with a clean, dry cloth.
To avoid streaking, try to wipe the window in an “S” pattern rather than in straight lines. The S method allows you to cover more surface area more quickly, and it reduces the chance that soapy water or cleaner will air-dry on the glass, which can cause streaks.
For hard-to-reach windows, consider investing in a squeegee extension pole. These are available in many lengths, and can extend your reach significantly. You can also find tools that combine a scrubber and squeegee, which is particularly useful for second-story windows.
For best results, use a rubber-bladed squeegee, such as Ettore’s 6-inch model (a top pick in our guide to the Best Squeegee for Windows). Be sure to wipe off the edge of the squeegee after each stroke with a clean, lint-free towel. And, remember to use a squeegee extension on the sides of windows where you have wood muntins (frames). This will prevent any remaining cleaning solution from damaging the wooden surfaces.
3. Scraping
When it comes to cleaning windows, we all want those squeaky clean, streak-free windows. The secret to that perfect finish is in the technique you use. There are several different methods you can try to achieve the best results. For example, a lot of people prefer to spray the window glass with a cleaner and then wipe it down with a cloth. But there is a much faster and more effective way to do it.
To clean your windows like a pro, first start by wetting the entire surface of the glass with either water or a commercial window cleaner. Spray or mop the solution all over the window, and make sure to get into any corners. Then let the cleaner work for a few minutes. This will allow it to break up any dirt or residue that might be stuck on the windows.
Once the cleaner has had time to do its job, it’s time to scrape the windows. This is where a clean microfiber cloth becomes your friend. First, use the microfiber cloth to wipe off any remaining cleaner residue that is left on the window glass and the frame. This will prevent any smears or streaks from appearing after you’re done squeegeing.
Then you can switch over to a razor blade, if needed. Use a new blade to avoid scratching the window, and wet it first before using. For stubborn stains or build-ups, such as hard water deposits, it may help to dump a tablespoon or two of vinegar into your cleaning solution. The vinegar will break down the build-up faster than it would if used alone.
Alternatively, you can use a scrub brush instead of a razor. Simply soak it in your vinegar and water solution, rub away any tough stains or residue, then rinse the window and dry it thoroughly with a towel. Remember to also take a towel and wipe down the edges of the window, as well as the frames.
Finally, grab a squeegee and wipe down the window. It’s important to wipe the squeegee itself after each pass as well, so it doesn’t leave any water marks or streaks behind. Also, before you start squeegeing, use a dry part of the terrycloth towel to create a dry edge along the top and side of the window. This will make it easier to work from the dry area of the window, rather than being up against it, which can cause missed spots.
4. Drying
The key to streak-free windows is to avoid letting the solution dry on the glass, which can cause unsightly white streaks. To prevent this, use a microfiber cloth or paper towels to dry the window before moving on to the next pane. When using a towel, choose one with a soft side that won’t scratch the glass. Alternatively, you can use the rubber edge of a squeegee, like Ettore’s 6-inch squeegee (a top pick in our guide to the best squeegees), which is designed to be wiped down after every few strokes.
A squeegee is also a great option for cleaning larger windows because it allows you to cover more surface area more quickly. However, you should still wipe the glass with a rag to remove stubborn stains. For this, you can either apply mineral spirits or a non-abrasive cleaning solution such as Pine-Sol. If you are using a squeegee, wipe the rubber edge after each stroke and wipe the squeegee handle with a clean rag to prevent soap buildup.
After washing the windows, you’ll need to dry them in order to ensure that all of the soap and water is removed from the glass. This will prevent the window from becoming sticky and attracting dirt, as well as help to eliminate any water spots or residue. For the best results, start at the top of the window and work your way down, overlapping each stroke as you go. To reduce the risk of creating streaks, it’s a good idea to work on a cloudy day so that the window doesn’t overheat.
While a lot of people rely on rags or newspaper to dry their windows, both can leave behind lint and other debris. A microfiber cloth will not only be easier to wash, but it will also grab the dirt and dust and leave you with a streak-free shine. If you don’t have a microfiber cloth, you can also use paper towels or black-and-white sections of a newspaper, but make sure that the lint is removed beforehand. Similarly, you should not wipe with the squeegee itself because this can cause scratches on the window frame.