How to Wash Windows

To effectively clean windows, you should start outside and then clean the inside.

Washing windows sounds like a very simple task, but simply spraying some glass cleaner on a window and sopping up the liquid with a paper towel will leave streaks and spread dirt around the window rather than actually clean it. Washing windows effectively does take some time, but the streak-free shine you will get is worth the effort, and will make your room seem instantly brighter.

Things You'll Need

• Large sponge
• Dish soap
• Glass cleaner
• Bucket
• Water
• Squeegee
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. Start with the outside of your window. Remove any screen on your outside window, and then submerge a large sponge in a bucket of soapy water (which can be made by combining 1-2 tablespoons of dish soap with warm water). Aggressively scrub the window with the soapy sponge, paying special attention to the corners (where dirt and stuck-on material are likely to build up). Don't be afraid to get the window a little soapy.

2. Dump the soapy water and fill your bucket back up with clean water. Squeeze the soap out of the sponge and then rinse the window, taking care to pick up the soap rather than just spread it around. If you have a garden hose handy, you can also just spray the window to get most of the soap off, and then use the sponge to make sure all the corners are rinsed.

3. Use a squeegee tool to remove all excess moisture. This will prevent any streaking from occurring, and leave the outside of your windows with an immediate sparkle.

4. Head inside and re-fill your bucket with soapy water. Scrub the inside of your windows the same way you washed the outside, again paying special attention to the corners, and rinsing the windows with a damp sponge.

5. Dry the windows with paper towels or newspaper. Then lightly mist the window with glass cleaner, and immediately wipe clean. Your windows will now have a streak free shine on the inside and outside.

Tips & Warnings

• Glass cleaner should never be used alone to clean windows, as it will simply relocate dirt instead of removing it. However, when used after cleaning, ammonia-based glass cleaners will make your windows look shiny and will also keep dust away.

References

• Chicago Tribune: How to Wash a Window (William Hageman)
• House Cleaning Central: How To Wash Windows