It's Time: How to Wash Windows Fast and Without Streaks

Washing windows isn't hard when you know how to do it properly. We share useful tips and explain how to avoid streaks.

What you'll need?

• A sponge or brush with a long handle;
• Soap solution or cleaning product;
• Two buckets of water;

• A spray bottle;
• A piece of clean fabric (or microfiber);
• A towel or cloth to cover the floor.

When to Start?

Check the weather forecast and choose a warm cloudy day without precipitation. Begin your work early in the morning or closer to evening, when the sun isn't shining directly into the windows. With bright sunlight, you might miss some spots, and water will dry too quickly, leaving streaks on the glass.

Also, pay attention to wind conditions – if it's blowing strongly outside. If you're planning to wash windows in the kitchen, try not to cook during that time – the glass might fog up, making it hard to clean.

Starting the Job

Prepare everything you need. Lay down a cloth on the floor to avoid stains. Then pour water into the buckets. Add some cleaning product to one of them, or if you don't have any, make a soap solution – it works just as well.

You can mix one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with four cups of water. Or use white vinegar if you have nothing else. Then pour the solution into a spray bottle.

Important note

If your windows are new and have tape residue, start by dealing with those. Rubbing alcohol or baking soda mixed with water can help remove the marks. Apply it to a cloth and wipe the spots. Only then proceed with the rest of the work.

Wipe the Frames

Work from top to bottom. Don't use abrasive cleaning products (they can damage the sealing rubber) – plain water is enough. For heavy dirt, you can clean specific spots with a soap solution.

Can you wash the frames after the glass? No, otherwise you'll have to start all over again :)

Then – the Glass

Start with interior glass and then move to exterior. Small windows can be cleaned using a regular sponge: just dip it into the solution, wring it out well, and wipe the surface from top to bottom (circular motions usually leave streaks). Don’t forget about corners!

For cleaning large windows, a brush with a long handle will come in handy – it's easy to wash the glass inside and outside. After finishing with the soap solution, rinse the surfaces with plain water.

What if some spots won’t come off? Spritz a little vinegar from the spray bottle onto the surface and let it sit for five minutes. Then wipe with a sponge or cloth.

Pro Tip

Wipe glass from the inside, bottom to top, and from the outside, top to bottom. If you suddenly see dirty streaks, you'll know which side needs another pass.

Dry the glass completely

Use a rubber squeegee on a window cleaning brush – position it in the top-left corner and move downward, pushing water off. Continue this way, each time setting the squeegee so its left edge slightly overlaps the already cleaned area. Then dry the glass thoroughly with a cloth or microfiber (they absorb moisture well).

Wash mosquito nets separately

Remove them before starting to clean the glass. Take the nets to the bathroom and rinse them under the shower. A stiff-bristled brush and regular soap can help remove dust and dirt.

To dry the nets, gently wipe them with a cloth (you can use the same microfiber).

Other Options?

• Magnetic window brush. If you can't wash the windows from the outside, such brushes are a great alternative. Note that it’s important to know the thickness of the glass (6–8 mm is ideal).
• Window squeegee. Comes in handy when you need to remove spots and wash glass without streaks. You can add a cleaning product to the special reservoir. They also have a dedicated tank for collecting dirty water.
• Window vacuum cleaner. Simply place it on the surface and activate it remotely – the vacuum will do everything for you. Especially useful for large windows – it cleans both inside and outside.

What Else to Do?

• Wash the curtains. Most likely, they've also gathered dust over the winter. To maintain a healthy indoor climate, establish a rule: clean windows mean clean curtains.
• Organize the windowsill. After washing the windows, don’t rush to put everything back on the sill. There may have been unnecessary items stored there.
• Clean plants that were on the windowsill. Dust and dirt also accumulate on leaves and stems. It’s time to rinse them with water (but first, check if your specific plants can be washed).