Window Cleaning helps natural light filter into rooms, and that can boost productivity and happiness. Clean windows also help keep heating and cooling bills low by allowing the sun to more efficiently warm or cool homes.

Use a lint-free cloth or squeegee, and launder your materials together to prevent lint buildup. For exteriors, wipe horizontally and vertically to make sure you catch streaks from both sides.

A thorough cleaning of the window frame can go a long way toward keeping the glass clean. Start by dusting the frames with a dry cloth or vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment. This removes loose dirt and prevents it from scratching the windows when you wipe them down later.

Next, use a mild detergent solution to wash the frames. Make sure the soap you choose is non-detergent and safe for vinyl frames; products like Windex are likely to damage them. Mix a quarter cup of the soap with a gallon of water in a bucket or spray bottle. Apply the solution to the frames with a sponge or soft cloth and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub to loosen stubborn dirt and then rinse the solution off with a damp rag.

If you have mineral deposits on the frame, try a product that dissolves them, such as CLR or Zud. For this type of stain, a paste made from water and oxalic acid (found in household cleaners such as Bar Keepers Friend or Wood Magic) can be used to rub away the build-up. Rinse the area and then proceed with regular cleaning.

Don’t skimp on the cleaner; you need enough to dissolve and suspend the dirt so that it can be wiped away without streaks. Depending on how dirty your windows are, you may need more than one application of cleaner.

Vinegar can be a good alternative to commercial cleansers if you are concerned about using chemical products in your home. If you choose to use vinegar, mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Try to avoid soaking the frames with this solution, as oversaturation can damage them or cause them to warp.

When you’re ready to squeegee, choose a rubber squeegee rather than a sponge squeegee; it’s less likely to leave streaks. Be sure to wipe off the squeegee after each stroke. If you have a hard time getting rid of streaks, consider using a microfiber polishing cloth for the last few strokes to give your windows a sparkling finish.

Cleaning the Glass

The glass surface of a window needs to be free of streaks and residue in order for it to be aesthetically pleasing. This can be achieved by using the right cleaning supplies. It is recommended to use a mild, non-abrasive cleaner such as distilled white vinegar. This chemical is known to dissolve mineral deposits and break down grime. It also leaves fewer streaks than some commercial cleaners. Microfiber cloths and sponges are another recommended option. These materials are soft and gentle on glass surfaces, preventing scratches and leaving behind no residual dirt. Lastly, it is important to rinse windows thoroughly. This helps remove any remaining cleaning solution and prevents water spots or streaks.

Start by spraying down the window with your cleaning solution. For best results, it is recommended to let the solution sit for several minutes. This allows the grime to break down, making it easier to scrub and rinse off. Next, use a non-ammoniated scrubbing brush or sponge to scrub the windows until they are clean. Be sure to scrub the corners of the windows as well. Once the windows are scrubbed and rinsed, apply a water-repellent coating to help reduce the risk of future mineral deposits and to make it easier to clean.

To achieve a clean and streak-free finish, it is advised to wipe the windows with a microfiber cloth or sponge instead of paper towels. Paper towels leave behind lint and fibers that can cause windows to look dirty. It is also a good idea to use a squeegee for a picture-perfect window. This tool can be tricky to master, but with some practice you will become an expert at using it.

For huge picture windows, professionals favor a technique called “snaking.” To use this method, start at one of the upper corners of the window and pull the squeegee horizontally across the entire surface. Once the top half of the window is dry, turn around and repeat the process on the bottom. To avoid squeegee marks, it is important to wipe the blade of the squeegee regularly to ensure it is always smooth and free of debris.

Wiping the Edges

As you work your way around a window, don’t forget to wipe down the frames and sills, as well as any other non-glass surfaces in the room. This will prevent the cleaning solution from drying on these surfaces, creating hard-to-remove water spots and streaks. If you have blinds or shades, remove them and clean the slats thoroughly. This is a good time to vacuum them as well. Use a brush or your handheld’s dust attachment to remove any loose dirt or grime that may be stuck to them.

A common mistake when cleaning windows is spraying the cleaner on top of dirt or debris, rather than removing it first. This just moves the debris around, rather than removing it from the glass.

Another mistake is using too much cleaner. Overusing glass cleaner can leave behind streaks or drips, and it can also damage the frame and hardware of your windows. Aim for a light coating of glass cleaner, or better yet, try a natural cleaning solution such as white vinegar.

If you’re using a squeegee, start with a dry section of the window and work your way across the panes. As you work, wipe off the squeegee blade with a cloth to ensure it’s completely clean between each stroke. To avoid streaks, make sure you’re working from one side of the window to the other and overlap each pass by a couple of inches.

If you’re not a professional window cleaner, don’t feel like you have to tackle the whole house in one day. It’s far easier to clean your windows if you work room by room, Forte says. This will help prevent you from getting sloppy as you go, and it will give you a chance to get your timing down right so that your windows are clean and streak-free every time. For more helpful tips, contact Northern Comfort in Aurora today – we’re here to answer all of your window and door needs! We also service Barrie and Newmarket. Call us or click here to schedule your appointment with one of our experienced technicians.

Drying

While it’s not as cringe-worthy as scrubbing down an old toilet bowl, cleaning windows can be a real chore. The worst part is when all your careful spraying and wiping ends up with unsightly streaks. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to prevent them.

Start by choosing a day with cooler temperatures and cloudy skies. Sunlight causes soapy water to evaporate too quickly, leading to unsightly streaks.

Next, gather all your cleaning tools in one bucket and set aside a second bucket for mixing cleaners. Using a sponge, wipe the frames and sills down to remove any dirt or debris. Make sure to scrub the corners of the frames, where spiders often build webs.

For inside glass, use a sponge dampened with a mild household cleaner or a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar. For outside windows, consider a rubber-edged squeegee, which is quicker and more effective than cloth or paper towels. These are available in a variety of sizes, and many come with a screw-on extension to help you reach high spots.

If you’re cleaning large picture windows, pros recommend a technique called the snake. Start in one upper corner, and pull the squeegee across the window horizontally in a S-shaped stroke, slightly overlapping each stroke. At the end of each stroke, wipe the squeegee’s rubber blade with a clean rag to avoid skipping.

After wiping the glass, dry the window with a microfiber cloth or paper towel. For better results, use a cloth that doesn’t leave lint behind, such as a chamois or a piece of black-and-white newspaper. Paper towels work well, but they can leave lint streaks on the glass if you don’t change the towel often enough.