Cleaning your windows isn’t a task that should leave you with a lot of dread, instead, you should be basking in the glorious daylight that now pours into your home and enjoying looking through windows that have a streak-free finish.
If you’re struggling to ban those streaks then please read on to find out our top tips for a gleaming finish every time, with tips on cleaning windows with vinegar, tools that will make the job a whole lot easier and how often you really should be cleaning those panes of glass.
What is best to clean windows
Once you’ve cleaned your windows a few times you’ll find the best products and tools for you. You want to ensure that you get it streamlined so you aren’t using unnecessary products that you’re left lugging around your home. These are the tools we think are best to ensure clean and gleaming windows every time.
- A duster to wipe away any cobwebs or dust quickly before you begin.
- A bucket to put your cleaning solution in.
- Dish soap and water, in our opinion this is the best way to clean windows quickly. Nothing fancy and a product you’ll always have to hand.
- A sponge to clean the window area with the solution.
- Squeegee or window vacuum, use these to wipe away the cleaning solution. A squeegee is a great budget option, but if you can invest in a window vacuum, you’ll save heaps of time and the streak-free finish is worth every penny.
- Microfibre cloth to buff away any pesky remaining streaks that you might miss.
How to clean windows outside
Cleaning the windows on the outside of your home, you’ll want to use a different sponge to the inside, as the outside windows will be a lot dirtier than those on the inside.
Avoid cleaning them when the sun is shining as the warmth will dry the cleaning solution quicker than you’re able to wipe it away, resulting in stubborn dirty streaks.
Start with a small brush to get any dirt off the window frames and then apply your soapy water and use a sponge to give the windows a good scrub.
Then use your squeegee or window vacuum to wipe away the dirty water. A window vacuum makes this process inherently quicker and easier, as you won’t need to wipe away the dirty water, for which you’ll probably need a cloth or kitchen roll.
Once you’ve wiped away the water, using a microfibre cloth you can buff away any streaks that might remain.
How to clean inside windows
Before you begin cleaning the windows inside your home, you’ll need to move curtains and blinds out of the way. Use a duster to quickly go over the window area and the panes to remove any dust or debris that may be lingering.
Then use the soapy water and a sponge to wet the window and give it a scrub and clean. Then use your squeegee or window vacuum, in both horizontal and vertical lines to wipe away the dirty water.
Finally, once you’ve removed this water with your cleaning tool, use a microfibre cloth to buff away any remaining marks.
How to clean windows with vinegar
White vinegar is a great multi-use cleaning product to have in the home, it can be used in so many different ways and cleaning the windows is just one. You’ll need to mix two parts water with one part vinegar and can use this in a spray bottle to clean your windows efficiently.
How often to clean windows
There are different factors that should be taken into consideration when it comes to how often you should clean your windows, such as whether you smoke, have pets or kids. But typically it’s a job that should be done every two weeks. However, you may need to do it more frequently if any of the above factors apply to you.
How to clean windows without streaks
The best and most simple tip to ensure a streak-free finish when cleaning your windows is not to clean them in the bright sunshine. When the sun is shining through the windows it warms them up quickly, and if you’re mid-clean you’ll get stubborn streaks as the sun will dry the cleaning solution on the windows. Clean the windows in your home on a grey day, or if you can follow the shade around your home and avoid doing it when the sun is shining through. Another tip for avoiding streaks is to wipe in multiple directions both horizontal and vertical to reduce the chance of streaks.
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