Make use оf a nontoxic cleaner made оf vinegar and water оr commercial products. Paper towels tend tо leave behind lint streaks; therefore it’s best tо clean оn cloudy days sо the cleaner dries before you can wipe іt away.
Once the cleaning solution has been rinsed away, use a microfiber cloth оr chamois leather tо dry your windows. Paper towels leave a static charge that attracts dirt right after you’ve polished, while newspaper can leave behind dark newsprint оn your glass surfaces. These simple window washing tips will help you achieve a streak-free shine.
High Pressure Water Jet
Making your windows sparkling clean can do wonders for the appearance of any home, yet cleaning them is often put off until later. But it doesn’t need to be difficult or time consuming – follow these expert tips and get those windows looking their best!
Before washing windows, begin by wiping down their frames and grids with a damp cloth to remove any dust or cobwebs. Next, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a bucket or spray bottle (you could also add a few drops of dish soap for additional grease or grime removal).
Spray your cleaning solution onto a microfiber cloth instead of directly onto the window to reduce streaking. Alternatively, you could use sponge or squeegee to wash windows, just be sure to wipe dry between swipes of squeegee. Avoid paper towels which leave behind lint streaks on glass surfaces.
Dishwasher Detergent
Dishwasher detergent (the kind used to clean dishes) mixed in two cups of water can quickly cut through stubborn gunk and leave windows sparkling clean. You could also opt for ammonia as an effective means of stain removal; just be sure to open windows and doors afterward so the smell dissipates quickly.
Before washing windows, experts advise sweeping away loose dirt with a dry chamois cloth to prevent solutions from mixing with dirt and creating streaks or spots on glass surfaces. Next, spray cleaner onto individual sections starting from the top down – to avoid leaving solutions drying on frames or non-glass surfaces, which could damage them further.
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Once your windows have been rinsed, use a dry, lint-free cloth or chamois like Casabella Microfiber Glass Cloths (with their honeycomb texture that captures water spots and smudges without scratching), to wipe the surface clean. It’s important to regularly maintain and clean them. Professionals advise doing this every spring and fall outdoors while indoor windows should be dusted twice every week in order to stay spotless.
Water Fan
For a streak-free finish, keep a dry rag or microfiber cloth handy to buff windows after rinsing with water. Paper towels tend to leave behind lint, so choose an excellent brand like Bounty Regular that can withstand being wet.
Spray your cleaning solution directly onto a microfiber cloth rather than directly onto the window itself, and use it to wipe the surface as effectively as possible before moving onto another section of your window. Aiming for maximum surface cleanliness will help limit any water residue or drips on its surfaces.
Forte recommends washing windows on cloudy days when the sun isn’t directly shining on them, since direct sunlight speeds up how fast cleaning solutions or water dry on windows, leading to streaking or spotting, she says. If forced into cleaning in direct sunlight anyway, work one pane at a time until all are complete – this way no spots or streaks form before you’re able to wipe them down properly!
Spray Bottle
Glass cleaner is essential to keeping windows streak-free, so combine equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle and shake for the ingredients to mix evenly. Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol is available from drug stores in various concentrations – the higher its percentage is, the stronger your solution.
Before applying any cleaning solution, first take steps to eliminate window treatments (label each so you know which room it belongs in) and use a handheld vacuum, brush or machine-safe duster to gather dirt, dust and cobwebs – this will prevent them from turning into an unsightly goop once applied with cleaner.
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Next, use a microfiber cloth or squeegee with an extendable, washable and lint-free scrubbing pad (we suggest this extendable extendable squeegee with such features), starting from the top of your window and working your way down using S-shaped strokes for faster and less likely streaking, according to Fisk.
