How to Clean Windows

Steps

Outside windows

1. Gather all of your tools and supplies. Look if you have the necessary tools available.
2. Fill a bucket or dishpan with warm water and add a small amount of the detergent of your choice.
3. Remove any windscreens if you have any that are hanging against the window.To clean them: lift them out of their tracks and rub them together under a running hose, rub them very gently with a rag or window wand, or brush them off. Why clean the screens? You'll remove some of the dust that the next rainstorm will knock onto your windows. You'll also get rid of that stale window screen smell.
4. Remove any cobwebs you might see with an old broom or old cloth.
5. Remove any excessive dirt or dust from the outside windows with a garden hose. Rinse only one window at a time, so that water spots don't dry on the windows.
6. Clean the window frame thoroughly with your soaked sponge.
7. Soak your sponge in the bucket with water and you can start cleaning your windows following one of these methods:
   • Start on the left upper side corner from the window and make an s-shape downwards the window until you end in on the right downside of the window.
   • Start cleaning the window from the left upper side corner and go with a straight vertical line down. Use a chamois or dry rag to remove any excessive water from the squeegee and start cleaning the next line until you reach the right side of the window.
   • Don't forget to dry your squeegee with a chamois or dry rag after each stroke your made. Otherwise you will have visible lines on the window pane.
8. Dry the window frame. After cleaning the window pane, dry off the window using a chamois or dry cloth.

Inside windows

1. Gather all of your tools and supplies. Look if you have the necessary tools available.
2. Fill a bucket or dishpan with warm water and add a small amount of the detergent of your choice.
3. Lay on the underground a towel or mop before you start cleaning your window.
4. Dust of the window frame with a duster or old cloth.
5. Clean the window frame thoroughly with your soaked sponge.
6. Soak your sponge in the bucket with water and you can start cleaning your windows following one of these methods:
   • Start on the left upper side corner from the window and make an s-shape downwards the window until you end in on the right downside of the window.
   • Start cleaning the window from the left upper side corner and go with a straight vertical line down. Use a chamois or dry rag to remove any excessive water from the squeegee and start cleaning the next line until you reach the right side of the window.
   • Don't forget to dry your squeegee with a chamois or dry rag after each stroke your made. Otherwise you will have visible lines on the window pane.
7. Dry the window frame. After cleaning the window pane, dry off the window using a chamois or dry cloth.

Alternative method

1. Get a bucket of warm water. Warm water is able to remove grime and grit better than cold water, but hot water may make the window crack if it is cold out.
2. Get a bottle of rubbing alcohol. The alcohol is the effective cleanser in cleaning the window. Isopropyl rubbing alcohol is the right kind to use. Do not use wine or any other substance containing other alcohols, or otherwise Isopropyl not by itself.
3. Collect paper towels. You want to create as little lint as possible, so use lint-free paper towels (or even toilet paper, if you don't have any)
4. Pour ¼ of the alcohol into the water.
5. Allow to soak for one minute.
6. Shake the alcohol to mix with the water.
7. Dip half of the towel into the bucket.
8. Wipe the window in straight and vertical lines.
9. Dry with another paper towel, drying in the same way as you cleaned.

Tips

• It is well worth investing in a good-quality, professional squeegee. A few extra dollars up front will save plenty of time and frustration. Measure your smallest window and get the widest blade that will fit in it.
• If there are little drops left around the edges after squeegeeing, lift them gently with a dry, lint-free cloth or clean finger, but don't rub them around over the freshly-cleaned area. If they're very close to the edges, it may be best just to ignore them.
• Do not squeegee a window in direct sunlight, or it will leave streaks.
• Wash the insides of windows first. The outsides will dirty your tools and water much faster.
• Use glass cleaner only for panes too small for the squeegee, delicate objects, and small touch-up cleaning.
• Clean, unused newspapers can also be utilized. Just wash the glass as stated above, then use a crumpled-up sheet of newspaper to wipe the glass until it's dry. If the sheet of paper becomes too wet, just use another sheet until the glass is dry. This method will avoid streaking too. Wear rubber gloves if you wish to avoid newsprint on your hands.
• Remember that there is a wet and a dry side to a squeegee. If water is streaking from the top of the squeegee, simply apply a little pressure to the side of the squeegee that is streaking. It helps to wipe the squeegee off from time to time, also.
• Try using an angled attempt to your squeegee motion.
• Practice makes perfect.
• When cleaning windows inside a house, put down an old towel underneath the window to catch drips.

Warnings

• Whenever possible, use an extension handle to reach high windows with your feet on the ground. Also, find out if the window panels lift out or fold in for cleaning. If you must use a ladder, use it safely and take care not to overreach.

Things You'll Need

• A (natural) sponge
• A squeegee
• A chamois
• A bucket/dishpan
• A stepladder (optional)
• An old broom (optional)
• Paper towels (optional)
• A water hose (optional)
• Old Cloths
• Lint free cloths
• Newspaper (optional)
• A detergent of your choice
• Warm water
• Towel
• Mop
• Duster
• Isopropyl rubbing alcohol (optional)

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