Window washing can be a tedious task, but it doesn’t have to be. With a few basic tips, you can achieve your window washing goal of clean, spotless, and streak-free glass that maximizes your enjoyment of your home’s outdoor views that your windows provide. Here’s how to wash your home’s windows like a pro to keep them clean and streak-free.
Choose the Right Time
It is recommended for windows to be washed once or twice a year, maybe more depending on how much they are exposed to dirt and other elements such as sticky tree sap or annoying bird droppings. Spring and fall seasons are the optimal times of year to clean your windows, especially in colder climates. Plan a time of day when the sun is not shining directly on your windows because sun exposure speeds up the drying of the washing solution, which causes streaking or spotting. So ideally you should only wash windows when it’s cloudy or the windows are shaded. Since window solution dries quickly, even in the shade, you should only wash one window at a time instead of applying cleaner to multiple windows at once and then attempting to wash them. This also applies to double-hung windows. Completely wash the top sash first, and then wash the bottom.
Cleaning Products
Purchasing sprayable window washing solutions to clean windows is easy to use and these products are effective, but you can make a solution yourself quite easily. Professionals usually mix their own washing fluids because they do not contain unnecessary chemicals. To mix your own, fill a clean 5-gallon bucket with warm water and then add one teaspoon of mild dishwashing soap. If there is a considerable amount of grime build-up on the glass, then you will want to use a one-to-one mixture of warm water and white vinegar instead of dishwashing soap. Vinegar is an aggressive detergent that will not cause streaking or spotting on your windows.
Washing Tools
Your basic window washing tools should include a clean bucket, lint-free cloths, and a large sponge. A rubber-bladed squeegee that is 10-to-12-inches with an extended handle can be useful in cleaning the exterior sides of your windows. Using squeegees indoors creates excessive runoff that can damage your interior window trim and should be avoided. If you need a ladder to access your exterior windows, be sure to fit it with a ladder stabilizer for better access to the windows and more importantly for your safety.
Window Cleaning Technique
Start with cleaning the window frames, grids, and hardware first with cloths or brushes and a mild detergent when needed, and then wipe these window parts dry. Next, remove dust and dirt before wet-cleaning by wiping the glass with a dry cloth. Then, scrub the glass clean with a scrubber or sponge dampened with your cleaning solution. Make sure to rinse the scrubber or sponge frequently. Once each window is done scrubbing, wipe the cleaning solution from the window, from the top, and work your way down to the bottom.
When using a squeegee, you need to create a clean starting point for each pass by first cleaning a vertical band from top to bottom along one edge. Then make smooth passes tilting the squeegee slightly so that the cleaning solution drains off easily. Overlap each pass by a couple of inches and after each pass wipe the squeegee blade with a clean cloth. If you are using lint-free cloths instead of a squeegee you should also start at the top. Wipe off the cleaning solution moving from side to side in a circular motion. As the cloth gets damp, adjust it so you always have a dry area contacting the window. Be sure to have plenty of clean, dry cloths when cleaning with these.
Window washing may seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and techniques, it can be an easy job. Follow these simple tips to get your windows looking bright and clean in no time.
