The Ultimate Guide and What you need to Know

Our windows attract all sorts of grime, from drippings of frying oil to the charming smears left by our dogs’ noses.

And we’re sorry to be the bearers of bad news, but it may have possible that you’ve been cleaning yours incorrectly.

It’s easy to leave dirt and debris behind, and even if you’re an expert at spring cleaning, you may not get all the streaks out of the glass.

However, it is not difficult to learn how to clean windows, even the ones outdoors that are out of reach.

Some simple insider tips will have the work done in no time!

Once you’ve mastered the technique for maintaining spotless windows throughout the year, you can move on to other neglected parts of your home with the help of our tips on cleaning the kitchen, the bathroom, the carpet, and the baseboards. 

Tips for getting your windows ready for washing

Wait to wipe off your windows!

You may save yourself time and trouble by covering the blinds and the window sill before you start cleaning:

1. To catch dust and stop water from collecting on the wood, lay a dry cloth over the sill.
2.  Pull up your blinds to the top of the window, close the louvers (or slats), and dust them.
3. Take down any drapes or curtains made of cloth to prevent them from becoming wet.
4. Shake them as you take them out, or if they are machine-washable, give them a quick tumble on the air-dry setting in the dryer.
5. That way, the dust won’t be able to settle again onto the windows once they’ve been cleaned.
6. Take out the screens, name them so you remember which window they go to, and put them somewhere secure until you’re ready to clean them.
7. Clear away dust and spider webs from the framework, the hinges, and the tracks.
8. Take out the screens, name them so you remember which window they go to, and put them somewhere secure until you’re ready to clean them.
9. Clear away dust and spider webs from the framework, the hinges, and the tracks.
10. Wet the windows after you’ve swept them dry to avoid the accumulation and water turning into muck.

A Method for Cleaning the Interior of Windows

It’s window-washing time, so go ahead.

Let’s start with talking about how to properly clean the interior of windows using a professional glass cleaner (We recommend Sprayway) , so that you may feel like an expert when you do it. 

1. Use a moist towel to carefully clean the glass. This will wet the glass and wash away any loose debris on the surface

2. The next step is to use a window cleaner, such Windex or Sprayway (We recommend), to spray the glass.
3. Spray in a thin line down the middle of the glass, starting at the top.
4. Avoid spraying too close to the edges or non-glass surfaces, as this might cause harm.
5. Spread the cleaning solution on the window using a dry, lint-free towel, preferably a microfiber cloth.
6. You won’t have to worry about leaving lint behind as you could with paper towels.
7. Any grime that is very persistent should be gently pressed.
8. After washing the windows, the next step is to let them dry.
9. Dry the glass using a squeegee or a clean, dry, lint-free cloth, working from the top down to avoid drips.
10. In order to remove cleanser that has gathered along the glass’s frame, use a dry section of the same towel to wipe the area.
11. With a clean, dry, lint-free cloth, go over the area in a circular motion to remove any remaining stains. 

How to wash windows without leaving marks 

Pay special attention to how you dry the glass, since streaks might occur at this stage.

Follow the “top down” methodology at all times.

If not, the water will drip over the freshly cleaned window and leave stains.

1. As you proceed, spray as needed. Just do it one window at a time and get it clean.

2. The squeegee blade or towel must be in constant contact with the glass. Drips result from skipping.

3. To avoid leaving streaks, use an S-shaped motion instead of a linear one. To clean the glass, begin at the top and draw a “S” with the cloth or squeegee over the surface.

4. As you make a series of curving passes, the water or cleaner will be drawn back to the center, where you may collect it. 

How to clean the outside of windows

Even though exterior windows may seem hard to deal with, they are a lot simpler.

That’s because you can use a garden hose to clean the windows instead of wiping each one by hand.

To clean the outside of windows, replace the spray trigger on the hose with a high-pressure spray nozzle and a cylinder for putting the cleaning solution in.

Pour a little liquid dish soap into the container, and then use one of the eight spray patterns, from mist to shower to water-only, to clean windows like a pro. 

1. Shut all of the windows.
2. The first layer of dirt can be washed off with a garden hose set to a light spray.
3. Don’t lean on a ladder to gently scrub dirt off windows you can’t easily reach.
4. We suggest using a window squeegee cleaner with an extension pole and microfiber cloth on the end that can be turned and stretched out to more than five feet.
5. To rinse the cleaning solution off the windows, just turn the sprayer to water
6. Use a squeegee that you can stretch out to dry the window.
7. Between strokes, dry the rubber blade of the squeegee with a clean cloth to stop drips.

To save time, you may also convert your garden hose into a professional window sprayer.

Mount a gallon bottle of Windex’s outdoor glass cleaner on your garden hose and spray the glass with it.

You may then rinse the jug out with water by unscrewing the nozzle from the sprayer and replacing it.

There’s no need to brush or dry off! 

Window screen maintenance

When you’re learning how to clean windows, don’t neglect the screens.

This means less dirt, dust, and pollen will be brought into your house via open windows.

You’ll need to take down the screens if you want to accomplish this right.

Additionally, keep in mind the need of keeping track of which screen belongs in which location. Follow the instructions :

• Take the screens down. Be careful because they are a little bit fragile.
• Use a soft-bristled brush to clean the screens of dust.
• Wet the screen with a garden hose set to a slow stream.
• (Streams with a lot of force can damage the mesh.)
• Use a soapy sponge to gently clean the screen.
• Mix 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap with 6 cups of warm water to make a simple homemade cleaner.
• Rinse well with a garden hose set to a gentle stream again.
• Let the screen dry all the way in the air.
• If you put a wet screen back on your window, the moisture can get into the window frame and cause damage.
• Once the screen is dry, put it back on the right window and make sure it stays there. 

How often should your windows be cleaned?

We recommend cleaning the inside and outside of your windows twice a year.

But  the outside windows may need touch-ups or more cleaning because the weather and other things in the environment are harder on them.

Pollen, rain drops, trees that make sap, and birds are all things that can make windows dirty.

Debris can also be kicked up by cars, and if you live near the ocean, salt can be a problem as well. 

Why you shouldn’t rush into washing your windows

A sparkling window will never be reached if lint is left behind.

When paper towels break down, they might leave behind clumps of paper.

It’s also possible for lint to accumulate on surfaces while using a cloth that isn’t made of microfibers.

Microfiber cloths are a better option since they don’t attract or retain lint and they’re very absorbent and safe for the environment.

Fabric softener should be avoided while laundry microfiber fabrics.

A coat of softener makes fibers less absorbent and more prone to streaking.

Using an excessive amount of cleaning agent.

A common misconception is that using more cleaning solution would result in cleaner windows.

More scrubbing is required to remove more solution, and any residue that is left behind will smear.

Use one spray initially and add more if necessary.

Neglecting to change out or clean the cleaning products.

Between squeegee strokes, wipe the rubber blade and switch to a fresh cleaning cloth.

If you don’t, you may as well just be reapplying the dirt to the glass.

In the bright sunlight, washing the windows is a pleasure.

Professionals know to avoid cleaning on sunny days.

Why?

The water evaporates before you can wipe it off, and the effects are less than ideal.