From vinegar sprays to wipes, the best window cleaning products contain several essential ingredients for a crystal-clear shine. These include solvents to dissolve grime, surfactants that reduce water’s surface tension for better cleaning and chelating agents that bind with minerals to prevent streaking. Fragrances and dyes can enhance the cleaning experience or be added for aesthetics.
Squeegee
Invented in 1818 by Ettore Steccone, the squeegee is one of the most effective ways to clean windows. It’s faster, more efficient, and less messy than other window cleaning methods. Plus, it’s better for the environment. You can even use it on shower doors, mirrors, and tile floors.
It’s important to remember to wipe the blade of your squeegee after each stroke. A dirty blade will leave streaks on the window glass. Also, make sure to do your window cleaning on a cool day. Hot weather will cause the cleaning solution to dry quickly, which can cause streaking.
Once you’re ready to get your squeegee on, start at the top left corner of your window and pull it straight down in a reverse-S pattern (lefties would start at the right corner). Keep up a steady pressure as you go. After each stroke, wipe the squeegee’s blade with a lint-free rag (old cloth diapers or a wrung-dry chamois work well). Then, finish the job by wiping down the muntins and sill to remove any water residue.
If you’re doing a multipane window, Weingard recommends using a sponge or hog-bristle brush to loosen dirt in the corners of each pane and then squeegeeing them down together. This technique will create a smooth surface that’s free of streaks.
When you’re done, run a microfiber cloth along the edges of the windows and the frame to soak up any remaining water and leave them sparkling clean. It’s also a good idea to replace your squeegee’s rubber blade after about 4-6 hours of continuous use, as it will start to lose its elasticity and may leave streaks. Keeping up with this maintenance will ensure that you’re always squeegeing your windows like a pro.
Wipes
If you don’t have a squeegee, wipes are an effective way to quickly get windows clean and clear. The key is to use a quality wipe that can hold up to water and cleaning solutions without shredding or leaving lint behind. In our tests, the best wipes to use for windows are lint-free microfiber cloths, which can be found for less than $10 at most home improvement stores. These are more absorbent than paper towels and generate electrostatic charges that attract dust particles. To keep the wiping process fast and efficient, work on a small area at a time—no more than a couple square feet at a time.
For larger areas, you can try using a simple homemade window cleaner. Combine equal parts rubbing alcohol and dish soap to create a solution that will cut through grime, grease, and streaks. Rubbing alcohol is flammable, so be sure to store this homemade window cleaner in a cool, safe place away from kids and pets. Dish soap provides a simple, yet effective, cleaning agent for glass surfaces and is often used in commercial window cleaners because of its grease-defeating properties.
You can also opt for the OG Windex glass and window cleaner, which is known for its hard-working formula and streak-free shine. The product is available in a variety of sizes and multipacks on Amazon and Walmart. If you prefer to avoid ammonia, there’s an ammonia-free version of the popular cleaner that has similar cleaning abilities to the original Windex glass and window cleaner.
Vinegar
One of the simplest and most effective window cleaning products is distilled white vinegar. Vinegar contains acetic acid that helps break down dirt and mineral deposits. It’s nontoxic and cheaper than commercial cleaning solutions, as well as safer for the environment. It also repels crawling insects, making it a great choice for windows in need of an insect deterrent.
A diluted vinegar solution can be used as an alternative to commercial cleaners, or it can be added to the latter for additional cleaning power. Adding rubbing alcohol to the vinegar mixture can help remove stubborn residue, smudges, and adhesive marks on various types of glass surfaces. Another useful addition to a homemade vinegar solution is a small amount of detergent. This can help dislodge stuck-on food particles and grease, as well as prevent the build-up of soap scum on windows.
Homemade window cleaning solutions are usually made by mixing water and mild dish washing liquid, but they can vary depending on the needs of the job. For example, a one-to-one mixture of water and vinegar is ideal for general window cleaning, while a stronger mix of water and rubbing alcohol is better suited to removing sticky spills and residue.
When preparing a homemade vinegar solution, it’s important to keep in mind the safety precautions involved in using such a strong chemical. For instance, a diluted vinegar mix is not suitable for use on stainless steel or polished marble surfaces, and it should be tested for damage to painted wood finishes before application.
To get the best results from a homemade vinegar solution, it’s essential to have the right equipment. To start, a lint-free microfiber cloth is ideal for the job; it’s less likely to leave lint or fibers behind than paper towels and is more absorbent, which means you can apply more solution at once without constantly re-wetting your cloth. To avoid spills, it’s a good idea to spray the solution directly to the cloth, rather than spritzing the windows themselves. This can also help prevent the cleaning solution from dripping onto frames and furniture. For those looking for a professional touch to their cleaning routine, consider booking window cleaning Richmond to ensure your windows are spotless and streak-free without the hassle.
Water
Many professional cleaners and household remedies rely on water to loosen dirt, grease and other contaminants. But tap water can leave mineral residues on glass windows that cause streaks and smudges. You can prevent this problem by using distilled or bottled water for your cleaning solution. Distilled water is pure hydrogen and oxygen, so it doesn’t contain minerals that can wreak havoc on your window panes.
Alternatively, you can use deionized water for the final rinse on your clean windows. This product is so purified that it will actually remove smudges and streaks from your glass, leaving it shiny and streak-free. You can also try adding a splash of alcohol to your water when cleaning windows. Rubbing alcohol performs similar to ammonia, but is less prone to streaking and doesn’t have a strong odor.
If you’re cleaning windows with a squeegee, make sure to have plenty of lint-free cloths available for wiping off the excess liquid after each pass. You can even use old newspapers to dry your windows (just be sure to crumple the newspaper and use a lint-free cloth for the final wipe). Newspaper is super absorbent, so it will soak up any remaining cleaning solution, water or oil that’s left behind.
It’s important to wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when cleaning windows, particularly if you’re using a ladder. A pair of safety goggles with an anti-fog lens and chemical splash vent is a must, as are thick rubber gloves to protect your hands from cleaning solutions. You can find these items online at sites like Amazon or through your local hardware store. Lastly, don’t forget to cover your ladder with a tarp to protect it from soapy water and debris.
Newspaper
Newspapers are an effective and inexpensive way to clean windows without leaving streaks or smudges. They are incredibly absorbent and virtually lint-free, making them more efficient than cloth or paper towels. In addition, they contain no scratching materials like silica or calcium carbonate, which can damage the glass surface. Furthermore, newspapers are much more rigid than other cloths and towels, which can break apart or leave lint when wet.
Additionally, they can be used to wipe down a window from top to bottom in a single pass. When used with a squeegee, they can also help achieve the desired level of shine. Finally, newspapers are reusable and readily available, making them a green alternative to paper towels.
Using newspapers to clean windows is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective method for cleaning that has been around for generations. It can be a great alternative to using store-bought cleaners that are often filled with harsh chemicals. This method can be a little time consuming, but it is effective and easy to use.
To start, gather some old newspapers and a bottle of white vinegar from The Vinegar Institute (USA). You will also need a bucket to pour the solution into and a spray bottle for easier application. Next, don some rubber gloves to protect your hands from the vinegar and water mixture. Lastly, wet a piece of newspaper and crumple it into a ball that is easy to hold in your hand. Apply the newspaper to the window glass in a circular motion, then switch to vertical and horizontal swipes. Finish by buffing with a fresh piece of newspaper to get a sparkling clean window. Once you’ve polished, you can enjoy a clear view of your backyard and neighborhood.
