How to Keep Windows Clean and Streak-Free

When the sunlight shines through your windows, the grimy layer of dust, dirt and other debris that has built up on the glass is glaringly visible. This film prevents sunlight from fully entering your home, which makes them dismal. It also prevents you from seeing clearly out your windows. Unfortunately, cleaning windows often creates unsightly smudges and streaks. How can you keep your windows clean and streak-free?

Importance of Clean Windows

It’s easy to overlook your dirty windows. The dirt builds up slowly, so you might not notice the impact that the film has inside your home until you clean them. Dirty windows also make your rooms seem dirty even after you’ve just cleaned the rest of the room.

From the exterior, dirty windows impact curb appeal and give your home a filthy appearance. All of these undesired outcomes can easily be avoided when you clean your windows regularly.

Preparing Your Windows for Cleaning

To clean your windows properly, you need to prepare for the project. First, choose the ideal weather conditions for window cleaning. You might think that the weather won’t impact your efforts, but this isn’t the case.

The glass warms up when the sun’s rays strike it. When the glass is too warm, the cleaning solution dries quickly. This results in streaked windows, and it can make your job more difficult. It is easier to clean windows when the weather is mild and overcast.

In addition to choosing the right weather conditions for the job, remove obstacles blocking your access to the window. This includes furniture as well as blinds and drapes. Unless you’re very tall or your windows are mounted lower on the wall, you’ll also need a step stool to clean the entire window.

Before spraying your window cleaning solution on the glass, remove as much of the dust and dirt as you can. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove cobwebs and to clean the frame and track. Then, wipe down the glass with a dry microfiber cloth to remove loose debris.

Perfect Window Cleaning Solution

You don’t need to buy expensive glass cleaning products at the store to get a streak-free shine. One of the best cleaning solutions for windows is diluted white vinegar.

In a spray bottle, combine 10 parts warm water with one part white vinegar. For extra cleaning power, add rubbing alcohol to the solution.

Key Tips for Achieving Streak-Free Windows

Paper towels are commonly used to clean windows, but you should avoid them. Paper towels leave behind small pieces of lint and are more likely to result in streaks. The best thing to clean your windows with is a microfiber cloth. In addition, don’t spray the cleaning solution directly on the glass. Moisten the microfiber cloth with the solution for streak-free windows.

Preventing Streaks and Smudges

The motion you use when cleaning windows can result in streaks. Rather than wiping windows in a circular motion, up and down, or side to side, use a zig-zag movement.

Begin at the top of the window, and work your way to the base. After this step, use a second, dry microfiber cloth to buff the glass. Do this immediately to avoid streaks and smudges.

Maintaining Clean Windows Year-Round

Your windows will stay cleaner for longer when you clean the drapes, blinds and screens regularly. Screens can most easily be cleaned with a vacuum. If the screens are still dirty after using the vacuum, you can wipe them down with soapy water and a clean cloth.

For the blinds, wipe them down weekly when you dust your furniture. An alternative is to use your vacuum’s handheld attachment. Your drapes also need attention. Launder them as recommended for the material. To prevent grime from building up on the windows, clean the glass and frame every six months.

Your home’s dirty windows are an eyesore, and they can be tough to clean. When windows aren’t cleaned regularly, they impact lighting and overall cleanliness in your home, so this isn’t a task to procrastinate on. If you aren’t up for a major window cleaning project, put our Boston deep cleaning services to work for you. Contact our Cleanzen team today to schedule service for your home.