While most areas of our homes are cleaned weekly or even daily, windows are all too often ignored, relegated to the bottom of the home maintenance checklist until they’re too dirty to ignore. Perhaps this is because cleaning windows takes time and effort, and if streaks are the norm rather than the exception, it can add frustration to the list.
But cleaning windows doesn’t have to be complicated. All you need is the right tools and techniques.
We consulted several experts for advice on how to wash your windows like a pro. No streaks, no stains, no stress.
Everything you need to wash your windows properly
We spoke with Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO of AspenClean, a zero-waste home cleaning brand since 2004. She recommended starting with the following resources:
For interior windows:
- Microfiber cloths (minimum 2 per window)
- spray bottle
- Natural glass cleaner or DIY solution (2 cups water, 1/2 cup vinegar, and a few drops of mild dish soap in a spray bottle)
- small bucket (optional)
- Squeegee (optional)
For outdoor windows:
For cleaning windows, ready-made window cleaning solutions are effective and easy to use. But Sokolowski says you can also make your own by mixing two cups of water, half a cup of vinegar, and a few drops of mild dish soap in a spray bottle. For particularly dirty windows, skip dish soap and instead use a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water.
Correct way to wash interior windows
Once you have gathered the appropriate tools, you can start cleaning indoor windows. This process is similar to the one done outdoors, but less intensive. Indoor windows tend to collect less dirt than outdoor windows.
Sokolowski shares his go-to process for window cleaning and his favorite pro tips.
Before you begin: Remove dust and debris.
Wipe the frame, sills, tracks, and corners with a dry cloth. This will prevent the dust from turning into muddy streaks later on. Vacuum out any small particles or dead insects hiding in the crevices.
Step 1: Apply cleaning solution
Apply your cleaning solution of choice by misting the cleaner or DIY solution onto the glass. Do not soak. Overspraying will only cause streaks.
Step 2: Wipe from top to bottom
Remove the glass cleaner or soap solution using a clean microfiber cloth or squeegee. If you’re using a squeegee, be sure to wipe the blade between each pass.
Step 3: Buff drying
Once you’ve cleaned the entire window, grab a new microfiber cloth and wipe away any remaining residue.
As a hint: Clean one side vertically and the other horizontally. If you look at the stripes later, you’ll know which side it’s on.
How to properly wash outdoor windows
Outdoor windows can be difficult to clean. It’s harder to reach and may have more dirt on it than what you see inside.
“Outdoor windows often accumulate dirt, pollen, bird droppings, and pollutants, so the cleaning process is a little more intensive,” says Sokolowski.
As it turns out, the best way to wash windows outdoors is with a soap and water solution, a squeegee, and a garden hose with a spray attachment for rinsing. Here’s the process Sokolowski recommends:
Step 1: Pre-rinse
Hose the window to remove loose dirt. Sokolowski says this is an important first step because loose dirt and debris can scratch the glass during cleaning.
Step 2: Wash
Use a soap and water solution and gently scrub the surface of the glass with a sponge or soft brush.
Step 3: Rinse thoroughly
Rinse the windows thoroughly using a garden hose with a spray attachment. If soap solution remains, it will cause streaks.
Step 4: Dry
Dry with a squeegee, wiping the blade between each stroke.
Step 5: Detail the edges
Wipe the edges and window frame of the window with a microfiber cloth.
As a hint: Avoid cleaning outdoor windows that are exposed to direct sunlight. The heat dries the cleaner quickly, creating streaks.
How to wash windows without leaving streaks
“Clean tools, proper technique, and water quality are key to avoiding streaks,” says Frankie Aslanyan, owner of Franklin’s Window Cleaning.
Aslanyan explains that you should change and clean the water frequently, use a sharp squeegee blade and high-quality towels, and avoid direct sunlight while washing. He says experts often avoid streaking by using purified water that doesn’t contain minerals.
How often should I wash my windows?
“Most homes benefit from having their windows cleaned twice a year,” says Aslanyan.
For most of us, this roughly equates to spring and fall cleaning. And while that frequency is sufficient in most cases, Aslanyan adds, “Outdoor windows typically need to be cleaned more frequently than indoor glass. Homes that are exposed to high amounts of pollen, construction dust, traffic pollution, or hard water may need to have their windows cleaned up to three to four times a year.”
What are some common mistakes made when cleaning windows?
With a combined 35 years of experience, our experts have seen the same mistakes time and time again. The most common mistakes when cleaning windows seem to be using the wrong materials or supplies or cleaning on a sunny day.
Using paper towels
Aslanyan says a common mistake is using paper towels. While convenient, they can leave behind lint and fibers and only move dirt around rather than remove it.
Fix: The best way to wash windows is with a microfiber cloth. Microfiber cloths, whose fine fibers are known to trap dirt, typically polish surfaces better without leaving lint, fibers, or dust on window surfaces.
Cleaning in direct sunlight
If you’re trying to figure out how to wash windows without leaving streaks, timing is key. Bright sunlight can cause window cleaning solutions to dry prematurely, often leaving streaks and spots.
Fix: Wipe your windows on cloudy days. To further minimize streaking, apply the cleaning solution only to the window you are working on.
use tap water
“Unfiltered tap water contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium,” says Aslanian. “When that water dries on the glass, it leaves behind stains, streaks and residue.”
Aslanyan points out that this is one of the main reasons why windows look bad after cleaning. “Professional window cleaners often use purified or deionized water, which does not contain minerals. Purified water leaves no residue when dry, resulting in a spotless finish.”
Other common window cleaning mistakes, according to Aslanyan, include:
- ignore frames and sills
- Reusing dirty water and towels
- Using too much soap or detergent
FAQ
Is Dawn dish detergent suitable for washing outside windows?
A soap and water solution containing Dawn dish soap is great for removing pollen, grease, and dirt. But Aslanyan warns, “Dawn can be effective if used sparingly. Too much dish detergent can leave a residue that can eventually cause streaks and stains.”
What do professional window cleaners use for water?
While professional window cleaners may use their own formulas in the process, Aslanyan says purified or deionized water is often used as part of the mixture because it leaves no residue and doesn’t leave stains or streaks.
Why do stains remain after I clean my windows?
“Stains are often caused by mineral residue from unfiltered water, soap buildup, dirty tools, or worn squeegee blades. However, in some cases, what appears to be dirt may actually be permanent glass damage that cleaning alone cannot repair.”
Can you remove fog from glass with vinegar?
Vinegar is effective against mild mineral build-up, hard water stains, and soap residue, but Aslanyan warns that permanent problems like hard water etching, glass corrosion, and broken seals cannot be fixed with vinegar. These issues may require professional repair or glass replacement.
