Easy Window Washing

Clean, sparkly windows freshen the whole house.

For daily cleaning, a simple window-cleaning solution and a paper towel are fine. But for the bi-annual, serious cleanup, think like a professional window cleaner. Good tools create professional results with a minimum of time and effort.

Basic Supplies

You can purchase professional window cleaning supplies at any home store or full-service hardware store. Items to buy include a good squeegee with replaceable rubber blades, a big sponge or scrubber and a bucket. You probably have other needed supplies already around the house, such as liquid dish washing soap and a few lint-free rags.

Method

Start by soaking the sponge in a solution of two gallons water and 1 tsp. of dish washing liquid. Working from the tops of the windows to the bottoms, wash the windows with a wrung-out sponge. Drag the squeegee from the tops to the bottoms of the windows to remove any water and leave a dry, streak-free surface. Wipe up drips with a clean rag or microfiber cloth.

Considerations

For caked-on grime, you may add 1/4 cup of ammonia or vinegar to the water. In summer, cold water works well to prevent streaks. In the winter, 1/4 cup of antifreeze added to the water prevents it from freezing on the windows.

References

• The Family Handyman: How to Wash Windows
• AuraCacia: Green Clean