How to Clean Your Windows and Keep Them Streak-Free
Try these tips, tricks and tools to wash your windows so they’re crystal clear
Have you ever sat in your favorite chair and looked out the window, only to see streaks and smears? Or looked out the kitchen window, only to see a community of spiders and bugs all over your screens? Windows can be a challenge to clean. But here are tips, tricks and tools to help you clean your windows like a pro.
2. Use a Telescoping Microfiber Duster
You can clean extremely high windows using a telescoping microfiber duster with just a spritz of water. These windows usually aren’t that dirty, but they should be wiped lightly to remove any foggy buildup.
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You can clean extremely high windows using a telescoping microfiber duster with just a spritz of water. These windows usually aren’t that dirty, but they should be wiped lightly to remove any foggy buildup.
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3. Cloth Instead of Newspaper
Everyone has heard of using newspapers to dry your windows. This tip is supposed to help avoid streaks and smears. However, avoid using newspapers if you are cleaning around a white wall, white trim or white window inserts. The newspaper leaves an oily film on the windows that helps to stop streaking, but you don’t want to get dark smudges on your beautiful trim. Use a clean microfiber cloth instead.
Everyone has heard of using newspapers to dry your windows. This tip is supposed to help avoid streaks and smears. However, avoid using newspapers if you are cleaning around a white wall, white trim or white window inserts. The newspaper leaves an oily film on the windows that helps to stop streaking, but you don’t want to get dark smudges on your beautiful trim. Use a clean microfiber cloth instead.
4. Use a Squeegee
You should clean large windows with a squeegee, just like the pros.
You’ll need a bucket of hot water with a few drops of dish soap. The soap will work to lift the dirt off the window and suspend it in the liquid solution until you get a chance to squeegee it off. Alternately, you can use a solution of white vinegar and water, with or without the dish soap, to cut grime.
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You should clean large windows with a squeegee, just like the pros.
You’ll need a bucket of hot water with a few drops of dish soap. The soap will work to lift the dirt off the window and suspend it in the liquid solution until you get a chance to squeegee it off. Alternately, you can use a solution of white vinegar and water, with or without the dish soap, to cut grime.
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5. Refresh Window Coverings
Draperies and curtains also need attention when you are cleaning the windows. A simple way to remove the dust and dirt (if the fabric and construction allows) is to place them in the dryer for a few minutes on a warm setting. The dryer will remove dust and allergens in the fabric. Remove them from the dryer and hang them up quickly to prevent wrinkles.
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Draperies and curtains also need attention when you are cleaning the windows. A simple way to remove the dust and dirt (if the fabric and construction allows) is to place them in the dryer for a few minutes on a warm setting. The dryer will remove dust and allergens in the fabric. Remove them from the dryer and hang them up quickly to prevent wrinkles.
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6. Use This Trick to Check for Streaks
How do you know if the streak you missed is on the outside or inside of the window? When cleaning the outside of the window, clean and dry it with a horizontal motion. Clean the inside vertically. If you’ve got a streak you will then know if it’s inside or out.
Which Window Treatment Should You Choose?
How do you know if the streak you missed is on the outside or inside of the window? When cleaning the outside of the window, clean and dry it with a horizontal motion. Clean the inside vertically. If you’ve got a streak you will then know if it’s inside or out.
Which Window Treatment Should You Choose?
7. Wipe Down Screens
Window screens accumulate a lot of dust and pollen over the spring and summer months. Don’t bother washing them. Instead, wipe them with a large-looped microfiber cloth. The dry microfibers will extend through the screen and pull off all the dust with a few wipes.
Window screens accumulate a lot of dust and pollen over the spring and summer months. Don’t bother washing them. Instead, wipe them with a large-looped microfiber cloth. The dry microfibers will extend through the screen and pull off all the dust with a few wipes.
8. Sweep Away Spider Webs
When cleaning your exterior windows, you can use a broom wrapped with a rag to remove dust and cobwebs from the glass. Scrub the windows with the same solution of dish soap previously mentioned to lift the dirt off the windows. Dry with either a squeegee or a microfiber cloth.
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When cleaning your exterior windows, you can use a broom wrapped with a rag to remove dust and cobwebs from the glass. Scrub the windows with the same solution of dish soap previously mentioned to lift the dirt off the windows. Dry with either a squeegee or a microfiber cloth.
More on Houzz
Read more cleaning guides
Find design and remodeling pros
Shop for home products
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Before cleaning your windows, pull out your vacuum and attach the brushed upholstery tool. Vacuum the window tracks and sill to remove dust, bugs and spider webs. If you have blinds, vacuum them both closed and open to get all the dust.
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