How to clean windows

While it isn’t necessary to do this every week or even every month, you should give your windows some extra attention two to three times a year. This keeps them in good shape and your rooms well lit. You could do this task at the same time as doing another one, such as cleaning the washing machine so that it seems less of a chore. Luckily, it’s really easy to learn how to clean windows. Check out our tips for cleaning windows below.

You’ll need a few basic cleaning supplies: 

• Cleaning solution 
• Sponge or window scrubber
• Clean terry cloth towel
• Clean lint-free towel
• Clean microfibre towel
• A squeegee

First things first: Many experts recommend that you pick an overcast day to clean windows. This prevents the sun from baking the cleaning solution onto your windows and prevents streaks and droplet marks from forming. Cursed with good weather? Try to work on the windows that are shaded first. 

If you have a window screen on your window, remove it. Then make sure to get rid of any excess dirt and dust from the windows by using a dusting cloth or a vacuum cleaner. Wipe down the window frame using a terry cloth, since this is where much of the dirt collects. 

Next, you’ll need to make a cleaning solution. Doing so is easy, but there is a variety of recipes out there. One of the easiest just requires mixing around eight litres of water with about one teaspoon of dishwashing soap in a bucket. However, for streak free window cleaning, sources online turn to the following recipe: 500ml of water, 100ml white vinegar, 50ml of rubbing alcohol, and 1 tablespoon of cornflour. 

Now that you have everything you need, it’s time to get down to business. Here’s the best way to clean windows:

Step 1: Dip your sponge or window scrubber into your cleaning solution and squeeze out any excess. Apply the solution to the windows. There’s no real right or wrong way to do this. Some go side-to-side, others prefer up-and-down, while some turn to the circle technique. 

Step 2: Using a clean lint-free towel, create a dry edge on the top of the windowpane. You can also do this with the corner of the squeegee. 

Step 3: Place the squeegee on the top of the window, where you just created the dry edge. Then pull the squeegee down. You don’t need to apply much pressure to do this. Wipe the squeegee clean with the lint-free towel. Repeat with the next section, always moving in an up-to-down motion until the whole window has been squeegeed. 

Step 4: Wipe the frames using the terry cloth towel. Next use the microfibre towel to dry the glass, removing any excess water droplets left behind by the squeegee. Then, take it inside. The process of the indoor-facing side of windows is slightly different (and easier!).

Step 1: Lay out an old towel to protect the floor and to catch any excess cleaning solution. 

Step 2: Pour some of your cleaning solution into a spray bottle. 

Step 3: Spray the cleaning solution onto the windowpane and dry it off. Then, using the microfibre towel, wipe down the windowpane. 

To make sure that you have sparkling clean windows, don’t forget the window screen. These practical barriers can also end up trapping quite a bit of dust and dirt. To clean them, just pop them out and wash them using hot soapy water and a soft brush. Rinse them off and let them air dry before inserting them in again.

If you have caught the cleaning bug then check out our other articles for more cleaning inspiration, such as: how to clean your dishwasher or how to clean gutters.