Easy Window Cleaning
Materials
- White vinegar (mild dishwashing soap also works)
- Nonammoniated all-purpose cleaner
- Soft-bristle counter brush
- Large sponge (polyester or natural)
- Squeegee
- Lint-free cloths
- Rubber gloves
- Ladder
Step-by-step instructions
- Clean your windows when the sun is not shining on them. The heat can cause the fluid to dry quickly, which will leave streaks and water spots.
- Use a soft-bristle counter brush to gently brush the exteriors of windows and frames. This includes hinges, sills, and tracks.
- Blend equal parts white vinegar and hot water to create a solution.
- Wet a sponge with the vinegar-and-water solution, and rub the dirt away. Try to keep the solution from touching the window frames.
- Wet the squeegee, because a dry blade will skip. When indoors, lay a towel along the windowsill to absorb drips.
- Beginning at the upper left corner of the window pane, draw the squeegee down in a straight stroke. Return to the top, this time moving a tad to the right, slightly overlapping the first stroke.
- Clean the rubber edge of the squeegee with a lint-free cloth after each stroke. Complete by pulling the squeegee horizontally across the bottom of the window, and dry the sill with a cloth.
- Dampen a cloth with a nonammoniated all-purpose cleaner and water, and wipe down the frames. Afterwards, clean the frames with a clean, damp cloth and finish by wiping with dry cloth.
Tip for larger windows: Professionals like to squeegee larger windows horizontally, beginning from the top and ending at the bottom.