Window washing how to: How to Clean Windows: 10 Steps (with Pictures)

How to Clean Windows the Right Way

by My Window Washing | Feb 15, 2022 | Window Washing

Window cleaning can be a hassle, but it’s essential to keep your windows clean so that you can see clearly out of them. Clean windows will improve your home’s curb appeal and will lift your mood. It will make your house look cleaner and brighter too. Considering all the benefits of clean windows, should you do it yourself or hire a professional window cleaning company?

Here are a few tips to make the process a little bit easier.

Window Cleaning Process

– If you have a lot of windows to clean, consider using a window cleaning kit if you want to clean windows yourself. You will also require a ladder to reach your second-floor windows, providing you live in a two-story house. But on the other hand, this will require a lot of time and could be dangerous. Some taller homes might need a very long extension ladder to get to the windows you’re about to clean. Window cleaning takes a considerable amount of time, especially if you have never washed windows before. Consider hiring a professional window cleaning company for the task. Having pros washing your windows will save you lots of time, not to mention all the dangers you’ll avoid from not having to climb ladders. And the windows will sparkle once the pro has cleaned them.

Use Caution While Washing Windows

– However, if you decide to do it yourself, and you have a lot of dirty windows in a multistory house, start by cleaning the dirtiest ones on the top floor first. That is how professional window cleaning companies do it. And we certainly recommend cleaning it from top to bottom. So this way, you are not dripping dirty water on the bottom windows that you might have already cleaned.

Always use a stable ladder and be careful when reaching high up. Working on the ladder high above the ground can be very dangerous. We can’t stress this enough. That is why it is always wise to leave the danger to the experts. Broken bones or worse will cost a lot more to fix than residential window washing service.

Window Cleaning Tools

– Use a squeegee to clean your windows. This will help to remove any streaks or water spots. That is what we use, and it works wonders on dirty windows. It might not come out ideally from the first try, but anyone can get the hang of it with little practice. Try starting at the top of the window and work your way down to the bottom or from side to side. It will take some time to learn this window washing technique, but it’s not rocket science. Everyone can master the window squeegee, and once you do, call My Window Washing. We are always on the lookout for squeegee masters.

Another useful window washing tool is called a sponge. We use specially designed window cleaning handles and wool sleeves, but you can use any sponge or cloth to spread the cleaning solution on the window and scrub the glass.

Use a window cleaning solution to help loosen dirt and grime. Be sure to read the instructions on the bottle before using it, as some solutions can be harmful if misused. We recommend using dish soap mixed with water, and you can add some vinegar to the mixture, but it’s not necessary. This window cleaning solution is easy to make; it’s cheap and non-toxic. Avoid Windex. It doesn’t clean windows very well and contains ammonia.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, if you decide to go ahead and clean your windows by yourself, make sure you’re doing it safely. Avoid climbing ladders, and if you do, be sure you feel comfortable being high above the ground.

Use proper tools and cleaning solutions to achieve the desired results. Do not be afraid to experiment. And do not despair if it doesn’t come out ideally the first time. Every job takes practice.

And in case you decide to employ a window washing company for the job, consider My Window Washing. We are a family-owned company servicing the entire Chicagoland area. Besides window cleaning, we also provide power washing and gutter cleaning services.

How to Clean Windows | Pella

Learn how to properly clean every part of your windows and keep them looking great for years to come.

ByPella Corporation

Published 2022-03-24

We’re diving into the details of window cleaning. From the best homemade window cleaning solution to the proper way to clean your window screens and frames, we’ll help you get those windows looking beautiful.

The Best Way to Clean Your Windows

To keep your Pella windows looking
beautiful for years to come, proper cleaning and maintenance is key. Most homeowners think that the best way
to clean their windows
is with a popular glass cleaner, but the
best glass cleaning solution
is a pre-mixed vinegar based solution
that does not contain ammonia or alcohol. You can create your own vinegar solution
by mixing one cup of white vinegar with
10 cups of water. For a streak-free clean, we recommend
using a lint-free microfiber cloth
to clean your windows at least twice per
year.

To clean the interior of casement
and awning windows, spray the window with a vinegar-based
solution and simply wipe clean. To clean the exterior, unlock and fully
open the window. Use the gap, available on select product
lines, to clean the outside
glass and frame from inside. Close and
lock your window.

To clean the interior of double hung
windows, spray the window with a
vinegar-based solution
and wipe clean. To clean the exterior of
double hung windows while inside your
home, use the tilt wash feature. Unlock, open slightly and tilt the bottom sash
toward you. Spray and wipe clean. With the bottom sash resting on the
window trim, lower the top sash, tilt in and wipe clean.

To clean both interior and exterior
window frames, use warm soapy water on a
rag
and avoid any abrasive chemicals. And to
clean window screens, we recommend vacuuming them with an
upholstery brush attachment
remember that cleaning methods will vary
for each product type and product line
always refer to your owner’s manual for
detailed instructions on how to properly
operate your windows

How to Clean Every Part of Your Window

While it’s not a glamorous job, window cleaning is an important part of home maintenance. If you’ve been wondering how to clean windows quickly and efficiently, we’ve got you covered with our favorite tips and tricks to help you keep your windows looking great for years.

Best Window Cleaning Solution

You can clean your windows with an ammonia-free glass cleaner, like a premixed vinegar-based cleaning solution, or you could make your own. Avoid using window glass cleaners that are ammonia- or alcohol-based as they may leave streaks or produce a film that attracts moisture or dust. If you choose to make your own cleaner, here’s an easy homemade window cleaning solution you’ll want to keep bookmarked:

Mix one cup white vinegar with 10 cups of water. Fill a spray bottle with the mixture, and store leftover cleaner in a jug for future use.

Apply your cleaning solution to a soft, clean, lint-free microfiber cloth or paper towel. Feel free to be generous with the amount of cleaner you apply to the cloth or paper towel, but avoid getting any cleaning solution on the wood, fiberglass or vinyl frames, as it may discolor the finish.

Essential Window Cleaning Supplies

We recommend cleaning windows at least twice a year for optimal quality, but you can clean them as often as once a month if you like. Before you get started, you’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary materials. A soft, lint-free towel, such as an old kitchen towel, linen napkins or a made-for-glass microfiber cloth, is the best thing to clean windows. You’ll also need a vinegar-based cleaning solution (like the recipe listed above), non-abrasive cleaner, soap, water and a vacuum with a soft brush and drapery attachments for interior and exterior window cleaning.

Door and Window Glass Cleaning

Regardless of whether you have a double-hung, casement or some other type of window, to begin cleaning, use a brush or vacuum to sweep dirt from the window or door frame. Next, effortlessly remove marks and smudges from your windows and doors by applying a small amount of nonabrasive cleaner to a clean, wet cloth. You can also apply a solvent like acetone or mineral spirits to a clean, dry, lint-free microfiber cloth. Rub the cloth on the areas of glass that need spot-cleaning, but rub carefully and avoid getting cleansers or solvents on the wood, fiberglass or vinyl frames, as they may discolor the finish.

After rubbing the glass, wipe clean by using a clean, dry lint-free cloth. Pro tip: Never use a razor blade to scrape off stubborn materials and use care if using a squeegee. Razor blades or squeegee edges may leave permanent marks or scratches on the glass.

Cleaning Double-Hung Windows

If you have double-hung windows, tilting the sashes in makes it easy to clean exterior surfaces from the interior of your home. We recommend cleaning the top sash first, starting with the exterior and followed by the interior, and then repeating the same process on the lower sash. Watch our step-by-step video to learn more about window washing for easy-clean double-hung windows.

Cleaning Window Frames

When it comes to cleaning window and door frames, avoid power washing. Use warm, soapy water on a rag and stay away from abrasive chemicals that may discolor the window frame finish. Stubborn stains and deposits may be removed with mineral spirits or cleaning solution like Pine-Sol® and can be applied with a clean, dry cloth or towel.

Window Screen Cleaning

The best way to clean window screens and remove dust and dirt is to vacuum them with an upholstery brush attachment. For grease spots, typically found on kitchen window screens, use a sponge, hot water and a mild detergent. For a flat screen, like those found on a window, storm door or patio door, remove the screen and wash with soap and water. Rinse and repeat as needed to clean. Or, use a drapery brush attachment on a vacuum. Remember to be gentle, as aluminum screens can bend very easily.

If you have a Rolscreen® retractable screen in your casement window or sliding patio door, follow the same cleaning instructions as above, but be sure your screen is completely dry before putting it back in the stored position.

How to Clean Blinds and Shades

For wood window blinds made from wood, regular dusting will help them maintain a like-new appearance. When deeper cleaning is needed, vacuum gently with the soft brush attachment. If you have plastic or metal blinds, immerse blinds in a tub of lukewarm water and mild detergent. Then, rinse with clear water, and let air-dry before reinstalling. For fabric blinds or shades, you can use a vacuum cleaner with a drapery brush attachment to remove dust and a damp cloth to remove smudges, fingerprints, etc.

Not a fan of cleaning blinds and shades? Schedule a free in-home consultation to learn more about between-the-glass window treatments, which feature low-maintenance blinds and shades that are protected from dust, dirt and other allergens.

Schedule a free consultation to find windows and doors for your home.

Schedule Now

How to wash a window without streaks

Surely many of you have come across a popular problem – after washing windows or mirrors, moisture streaks remain on the surface. Unfortunately, this problem concerns not only glossy surfaces, but also products made of ceramics, metal or glossy plastic.

The reason for this is persistent grease and dirt particles that settle on the surface. Another culprit is tap water, which contains minerals and often chlorine. Under such conditions, it will be difficult for you to achieve results with just a rag and water. Therefore, in this article we will tell you how to achieve perfect cleanliness of windows without streaks using detergents.

Washing windows with detergents

Unfortunately, modern detergents cannot get rid of streaks, because their purpose is to quickly remove dirt that cannot be removed with ordinary water. But detergents do an excellent job of greasy contaminants, which the owners have to deal with. To combat other types of pollution, a special approach is needed.

Often after repairs, “streaks” appear on the glass. The reason for their appearance is alkaline compounds that are washed out of concrete and laying mortars after repair. To remove them, you need to use acid-based detergents. Household chemicals with alkali in the composition will not give the desired result.

Why do stains appear on windows after washing?

The main reason is dirt and impurities in the air and water. Conduct an experiment and wipe the glass with tap water – whitish “streaks” will remain on the surface after the water evaporates.

In this case, you have two options: wipe the damp surface with paper or microfiber cloths, or use special products and installations that clean windows with pure distilled water. But such equipment costs a lot of money and only professional cleaners have it in their arsenal. Therefore, we will consider the option of washing without the use of special equipment.

Washing windows without streaks: an algorithm of actions

Start work on a cloudy day – so the moisture will evaporate more slowly and you will have time to wipe it off with special napkins or paper. You will need a bucket, detergent, microfiber or paper towels, or a MOP, a special cloth for cleaning floors and windows.

Apply the detergent with a spray bottle and spread it evenly over the glass surface with a cloth. If there is a lot of pollution, then you need to wait a bit for the product to cope with them. After a short wait, you can proceed to the main part of the work.

Remove liquids with wipes or a microfibre cloth. Work slowly, but don’t let the detergent dry out. By the way, wipe the junction of the glass with the frame with a rag as well – so that moisture does not remain there and does not spread over the glass after washing. This problem is especially common in double-leaf windows. If small streaks form somewhere, you can easily remove them with a lint-free cloth.

By the way, try out the variant that our grandmothers used – after treating the surface with detergent, let it dry a little, and then quickly wipe the glass with ordinary newspapers. The paper perfectly absorbs moisture and leaves no lint or marks.

By doing this, you will save yourself time, and the result will be clean glasses without streaks. When working, be careful – work only on stable surfaces and do not stand on the windowsill, especially if you live in a high-rise building. If you wash a glazed balcony, then also be careful and open all the doors for ventilation.

In this article we have described one of the most popular window cleaning methods, and you can choose between washing windows yourself or calling a professional service where professionals will do everything for you.

You can have a look at our catalogue: Windows for cottages, Plastic doors, Plastic windows REHAU

How to clean windows correctly and without streaks

Every self-respecting housewife keeps the windows clean. On average, wet cleaning of windows is carried out once every three months. But, if your apartment is located on the ground floor, then you may have to wash the windows more often, as more dust and dirt gets on them. Surely everyone knows how to clean windows, but not everyone does it right. In this article, we will dwell on how and what is the best way to wash windows.

Tools needed for cleaning windows can be found in every home

Sponge. It is desirable that one side of the sponge be rigid. So you can easily get rid of strong pollution.

Wiper. It is also called a screed or a tie. Thanks to this device, you will not only understand how to properly wash windows, but also love this activity. The windshield wiper can be on a long handle, then you do not have to once again climb onto a chair or window sill. There are especially comfortable models with a sponge on one side and a shirring on the other.

Detergent. It can be anything. On the choice of means for washing windows, we will dwell in more detail later in the text.
Piece of dry cloth. The fabric can be used cotton, you can take a piece of natural suede, linen or non-woven material. The main condition is that it must absorb water well.

Basin or bucket. You will need any container of water. First, in order to dissolve the detergent, and then to rinse the glass with clean water.

Do some preparation

First, clear the window sill of foreign objects (flower pots, vases, household appliances). And place all the necessary tools within reach. Do not pour a lot of water into a bucket or basin to avoid splashing on the sides. Decide in advance how you will wash the windows from the outside. It is good if it is a separate sponge, because the reverse side of the glass is much dirtier.

For wet cleaning, it is better to choose cloudy, calm weather. Otherwise, under direct sunlight, the glass will dry out quickly, and then it will not work to wash the windows without streaks.

Choice of detergent

So, washing the windows. If you have windows with painted wooden frames, then use a liquid cleaner, soap solution, or add ammonia to the water at the rate of 2 tablespoons per 1 liter of water. Don’t use baking soda as it will dull the paint.

What is the best way to clean plastic windows? The main thing is not to use abrasive powders and a rough washcloth. In order not to damage the plastic sensitive to mechanical stress. To wash a plastic window, you can use any liquid detergent.

There is another time-tested method – the use of chalk. To do this, it must be crushed and dissolved in water (2-3 tablespoons per 1 glass of water). Then wipe the glass with a chalk solution, let it dry a little and rub it thoroughly with newspapers.

This method really works, but it is quite laborious. It is much easier to use a modern synthetic agent for washing windows. It can be in any form – powder, gel or paste. The choice of detergents on the market is huge and they all do their job perfectly.

When choosing a product, pay attention to its composition, as some components can cause an allergic reaction. Basically, they consist of water, ammonia, surfactants and auxiliary acids and alcohols that dissolve dirt.

Video. Comparison of window cleaners

Window cleaning steps

Washing the frame. Always start washing windows with cleaning and washing the frame, and only then move on to the glass. Very often they make a mistake when starting to wash the glass, and then the frame.

Cleaning the window from the main dirt. Soak a sponge in water with detergent dissolved in it and thoroughly wet the glass surface. Next, without missing a centimeter, clean the window, driving the dirt down with a sponge. Remember that the main contamination is located at the junctions of the glass and the frame.

Therefore, at the end of the first step, move the sponge along the perimeter of the window, increasing the pressure. When you wash plastic windows from the outside, use a brush with a long handle. Remember safety measures, avoid sudden movements.

Fine wash. To wipe the window dry, you will need a glass cleaner. Swipe across the glass, starting from the very top. Maintain a tilt angle of 20-30 degrees. You need to move strictly horizontally, each time blocking the washed area by a couple of centimeters.

Wipe the wiper blade dry after each pass. This is the most important moment in the whole wash, and a lot of dry rags can be needed. Wet screed will leave streaks on the glass. Old newspapers can be used along with rags.

If there is no screed, then the best and time-tested window cleaner will be a flannel cloth.

Wiper movement on the glass surface.

Some peculiarities of cleaning plastic windows

For correct cleaning of plastic windows and maintaining their functionality, pay attention to the following points:

applied to the inside of the glass.

2. Pay special attention to the care of metal fittings, rubber seals and drainage holes:

Lubricate fittings after washing and drying with machine oil.
Apply special silicone grease to the rubber seal. It will protect against drying and cracking.

Lubrication of plastic window fittings. Photo – www.pvcwindow.ir

3. Drainage outlets must always be clean. A blockage can cause the window to fog up and freeze in the winter. On sale there are special kits for the care of plastic windows, which include all the necessary tools.

Look where each of the plastic window fittings is located.
Photo – revelationwindows.co.uk

Window Care Tips

1. After cleaning, wipe the windows with a vinegar solution. The smell will drive away flies and the glass will stay clean longer.

2. Take a strong solution of table salt (2 tbsp. to 1 glass of water) and apply it on the glass – so the windows will not freeze longer during frost.

3. Small cracks in the glass can be treated on the outside with clear nail polish. It is invisible and lasts a long time.

4. To keep windows clean longer, wipe them with a mixture of water (30g), glycerin (70g) and a couple of drops of ammonia. When the glass dries, a thin protective film will remain on it.

After reading this article, you have learned how and with what to wash windows correctly, what detergents to choose, and how to fix the result. When cleaning windows, especially outside, do not forget about safety.