How To Clean Windows Streak-Free?

Home remedies, tips and tricks for effective, streak-free and yet effortless window cleaning

Cleaning windows is not as easy as it seems. Inappropriate equipment, the wrong method and unsuitable cleaning agents often leave ugly streaks and streaks on the windowpane but cleaning the panes does not have to be a sweaty, tedious task. Anyone who masters a few tricks, observes some tips and goes to work with the right tools has quickly completed the unpleasant housework successfully. For the sake of the environment, you should avoid using chemicals as much as possible and resort to well-tried home remedies instead. Natural does not make the housework more difficult. When cleaning windows, always pay attention to your safety. Use a ladder for tall windows and avoid towers such as “chair on the table” or “water box on the chair”. Make sure that your ladder is in the right place and does not wobble, and always stand with both feet on the running boards.
In many cases, the purchase of an extendable telescopic pole worthwhile, at the end of the wiper sponge or the puller can be attached.

Window cleaning tools which should be prepared before cleaning

You should prepare the following tools before you start your window cleaning:

a soft hand brush (such as the 4-1/4″ X 1-3/8″ from Rubbermaid)
a bucket (such as the Ettore 86000 Compact Super Bucket)
agent / detergent (such as the 30% Pure Vinegar from EcoClean Solutions)
soft sponge (such as the Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch Scrub)
squeegee or chamois (such as the OXO Good Grips Wiper Blade Squeegee)
lint-free cotton cloth (such as the Caldrea Lint Free Cleaning Cloths)
microfiber cloth (best unused and unwashed – such as the Zwipes 1015303 Microfiber Cleaning Cloths)

gloves (if necessary – such as the Playtex Living Reuseable Rubber Cleaning Gloves)
a ladder (if necessary – such as the Little Giant 17-Foot Velocity Multi-Use Ladder)

How to clean windows properly – Practical tips for more insight

Wait for suitable weather for window cleaning
Windows are easier to clean with a little bit of sunshine. Because then you can see well those places that need to be polished. Even when the sun is low you can see streaks on the glass created during wiping very well. If the sky is gray, they are difficult to see, as the sun beats, the cleaning solution dries too fast and leaves streaks.

Choose the right cleaning cloth for window cleaning
Pot sponges should not be used for window cleaning, as they can scratch the glass or plastic frame. Better are a soft cloth or a sponge without fleece. Neither sponge nor cloth should have been rinsed with softener. Otherwise stripes will occur.

Use the right cleaning agent for window cleaning
To clean the windows best is a mixture from 1 gallon of water with a few drops of household hand dishwashing detergent and a little spirit. A special and more expensive glass cleaner is not always effective, but rather is there to quickly remove small fingerprints or stains.

Do not use too much cleaning agent
When using cleaners “Less is more”. Too much of the surfactants, as the detergent substances called cleaning agents, smear the surfaces and then even attract dirt faster again. Above all, the manufacturers are happy about that. People clean their windows more often and spend money on new cleaning products. As a rule, a few drops are enough.

Cleaning window panes of coarse dirt
To remove coarse dirt, the panes are first soaped inside and out neatly with an ordinary viscose or microfiber cloth. A so called washing-up machine with a crossbar with lambskin cover makes this work easier. Then carefully peel off the window panes or wipe them dry before starting the actual window cleaning. Note: to remove stubborn stains ammonia or hydrogen peroxide agents might be useful

Use a squeegee to clean the windows
After cleaning, rinse the window with clean, warm water. Waste water is removed with a chamois leather, an absorbent and lint-free cloth or kitchen paper. To dry the pane, a squeegee with a solid rubber lip can also be used. With a little practice, you can do it like a Pro. For this pull the squeegee from the top of the window in weaving lines from left to right down the window. But even without a squeegee a perfect result can be achieved.

Polish windows again if necessary
After the squeegee wiping is not always necessary anymore. But if you still see stripes, use grandma’s favorite home remedy, namely a crumpled piece of newspaper. Even dry microfiber cloths or clean tea towels are suitable for polishing.

Also clean the window frame
The frames are either cleaned in front of the panes or afterwards. If they are heavily soiled, this should be done in advance, so that drops of cleaning water can calmly get onto the windows. Otherwise, it is also enough to rub window frames at the end with a damp cloth. Important: Always work from the inside out and renew dirty cleaning water.

Nanoparticles application
Window cleaners with nanoparticles promise a lotus effect. Rainwater rolls off the glass instead of lying on it. The pane stays clean longer and needs less frequent cleaning. The rain deflectors are simply sprayed onto the clean window pane or applied with a cloth. The effect is different depending on the cleaning agent. The big disadvantage of the method. The contained nano-titanium dioxide poses risks for the environment, humans and animals. Because with time it is washed off and ends up in soil, groundwater and bloodstream. How harmful nanoparticles really are is still being researched.

Curtains also wash the same
On the occasion, it is advisable to remove the curtains, to wash and hang fresh again. The end result is radiant windows, bright curtains and a fresh scent in the room.

Clean windows at least every two months
Windows in the house or apartment should be cleaned regularly, but how often? Professionals recommend cleaning them at least every two months. This has many advantages. The windows are less dirty, the dirt is not so tight and the window cleaning is much faster. In practice, of course, this looks different. Some people brush more often because they appreciate the clear view. Others clean as needed, many only once in spring and once in fall. The frequency also depends on the position of the windows. Windows on the ground floor, in the basement or sloping roof windows are usually faster dirty than windows on higher floors.

For clean windows resort to home remedies
Newsprint and alcohol have already been mentioned. In addition, there are other home remedies that promise streak-free shine. Instead of spirit just add vinegar or lemon juice to the cleaning water. They dissolve lime particles that are in the tap water and old streaks on the window pane. The tannins contained in black tea have a fat-dissolving effect. Boil a cup of tea with two sachets, infuse for about 10 minutes and pour into the cleaning water. An old women’s tights absorb even the finest dirt particles and provide a clear view.

Cleaning windows with vinegar

As an alternative to chemical cleaning agents, you can also use vinegar for cleaning windows. The vinegar is acidic and should not drip on any marble bench. So first cover the expensive stone with a foil. If you use warm water to clean the window, you should remember that vapors may cause unpleasant smells of vapors. Therefore, do not hold your nose too close to the cleaning bucket:
As always, start cleaning the frame and windowsill. Both are first turned away and then washed off with a sponge and warm water. Do not forget the drying.
If you have emptied the water bucket and refilled it with fresh, clean water and also washed out the sponge, add a good shot of vinegar or a slightly smaller splash of vinegar essence to the water instead of cleaning agent.

Other cleaning home remedies for the window

Alcohol dissolves grease and dirt and can also be used to clean the window. First clean the window frame and window sill with clear water (without alcohol as it attacks the seals). Then put a good shot of alcohol in cold water and wipe with the home remedy the glass panes in weaving line movements from top to bottom clean. Remove the moisture with a squeegee and wipe dry with a cotton cloth. Finally, polish away the corners and any stripes on the glass with a chamois leather.

Linseed oil is less for glass cleaning than gloss. If your windows appear dull over the years, treat the dull slices with linseed oil. Gently rub the oil with a woolen cloth. Leave it on and then lift it off with kitchen towels. So that no greasy film remains, you must now but thoroughly clean the panes.

Black tea – If you want to clean your windows naturally, you can work with warm water and glass cleaner, with lukewarm black tea. Brew several liters of black tea and let it cool. As the tea cools to hand warm, clean the window sill and the window frame. Then dip a soft sponge in the tea and clean the glass from top to bottom. Then remove the moisture thoroughly and quickly with a squeegee. Dry out the corners with a microfiber cloth and also polish any streaks with the microfiber cloth.

Newsprint will no be used to clean the glass but to dry and polish. The paper is lint-free and sucks well. However, it can happen that some printing ink remains on the glass. That’s why you should only use newsprint if there is no alternative to hand. Loosely wrap one side and polish the wet surface. As soon as the paper stops taking up water, take a new page.

Lemon juice – as an alternative to vinegar or alcohol, you can also clean the windows with lemon juice. You give the juice from the citrus fruit in the mop and clean it from top to bottom the glass panes. Afterwards, the water is drawn from the glass with the help of a puller. The acidic water should not drip on the marble window sill as it attacks the natural stone!