How to Wash Dirty Windows
Somebody has to do windows, right? If that someone in your house is you, we've got the tips and techniques to make you--and your windows, naturally--shine.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Cleaning Cloths
- Lint-free Rags
- Ammonia
- Commercial Glass Cleaner Or Vinegar
- Garden Hose
- Old Sheets Or Towels
- Professional-quality Squeegee
- Vacuum With Small Brush Attachment
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Newspaper Or Clean Blackboard Eraser
- Beach Towel
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-
1
Before washing interior windows, put a beach towel along the sill to keep the floor or wall from getting wet.
-
2
Spray a commercial glass cleaner lightly on a clean, lint-free rag. Or mix your own cleaner of 1/4 cup (2 fl oz/60 ml) vinegar in 3 cups (24 fl oz/750 ml) warm water.
-
3
For extremely dirty windows, mix 1 tbsp. ammonia and 3 tbsp. rubbing alcohol or vinegar in 1 qt. (32 fl oz/1 l) warm water.
-
4
Gently wipe the rag across the window, using horizontal strokes to prevent dripping.
-
5
Grab your squeegee. Wipe the rubber strip with a cleaning cloth to get started. Holding the squeegee firmly, press it downward. Start each stroke in a dry spot.
-
6
Keep the squeegee blade dry by wiping it on the cleaning cloth after each stroke.
-
7
Use old sheets or towels that haven't been washed with fabric softener to dry the windows. For extra sparkle, polish the glass when it's nearly dry with a piece of newspaper or rub a clean blackboard eraser over it.
-
8
Using a small brush attachment, vacuum the window frame and sills.
-
9
Dampen a cleaning cloth with diluted rubbing alcohol. Rub along the sill to remove spots and smudges.
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10
For exterior windows, start by spraying with a garden hose to loosen or remove grime and debris; then follow the steps above. Second-story and higher windows are best handled by professional window cleaners.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Clean windows on a cloudy day, in the morning or in the late afternoon. Direct sunlight causes streaks.
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Comments
-
seaislesue
Sep 22, 2010
I live one house from the beach...my windows look sandblasted. Can't get it off either, without scratching....any suggestions? -
skylinebldmaint
Nov 09, 2009
the beach towel is a must!
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Nov 30, 2005
Anything you use to clean a window will leave a residue - and will attract dust, dirt, etc. Fill a bucket with hot water, and add 2 drops of dish detergent.. That small amount is only to break the water tension - not to build up suds on the window. Wash the window with a clean cloth dipped in the bucket of water, then use a sqeegee ONLY to wipe the away. Make sure you have a good quality sqeegee. Starting at the top, "squeege" from side to side, not up and down. Wipe the blade after each pass, but do not wipe the window with any cloth, paper towel, etc. I guarantee - perfect shine.
-
Nov 30, 2005
Anything you use to clean a window will leave a residue - and will attract dust, dirt, etc. Fill a bucket with hot water, and add 2 drops of dish detergent.. That small amount is only to break the water tension - not to build up suds on the window. Wash the window with a clean cloth dipped in the bucket of water, then use a sqeegee ONLY to wipe the away. Make sure you have a good quality sqeegee. Starting at the top, "squeege" from side to side, not up and down. Wipe the blade after each pass, but do not wipe the window with any cloth, paper towel, etc. I guarantee - perfect shine.
-
Nov 22, 2005
1/4 cup of cornstarch in 1 gallon of water gets deep grime and bugs off windows. Use old T-shirts to wipe the windows clean, do not use paper towels.
