Follow our tips regarding how to clean windows the right way and you’ll enjoy spotless windows every day! Dirty windows distract others from your home’s beauty and reduce how much light shines into your house. Cleaning dirty windows may seem like a simple task, but making your windows sparkle without scratching them or leaving streaks can be challenging.

Save Money by Creating Your Own Window Cleaning Solution

While store-bought window cleaning solutions are popular, I recommend preparing your own at home with two parts water and one part vinegar. This homemade window cleaning agent will deliver the same results as retail cleaning solutions.

However, creating the perfect window cleaner only represents the first step towards flawless windows. Below, you will find helpful tips on how to clean windows the right way without using store-bought cleaners or hiring a professional.

Steps on How to Clean Windows the Right Way

Whether or not you decide to use my homemade window cleaning solution, the following tips will help you clean your windows without leaving streaks, scratches, or stains. Before we begin, I suggest cleaning your windows on cool, cloudy days to ensure the cleaning solution does not immediately dry before you have a chance to remove it off the windows.

How to Clean the Inside of a Window

Follow these simple steps to clean the inside of a window in your home:

  1. Squirt a couple of drops of dish soap into a bucket filled with clear, cool water.
  2. Place a large piece of terrycloth below your window to absorb any drips.
  3. Wet a clean sponge or microfiber cloth and wipe the surface of the window, starting at the top and working your way down.
  4. Apply the window cleaning solution to the window with a spray bottle.
  5. Remove the cleaning solution with a microfiber cloth, wiping in Z-shaped motions.
  6. In the case of persistent streaks, repeat Steps 4 & 5.

How to Clean the Outside of Windows

The dirt collects more on the exterior of windows than on the inside. Follow these steps to clean the outside of your windows:

  1. Rinse the windows with a hose and squirt a little dish soap into a bucket filled with clean, cool water.
  2. Wash the surface of lower windows with a clean, soft microfiber cloth and use a microfiber mop, soft cotton mop, or sponge mop to reach higher windows.
  3. Rinse the windows with your hose.
  4. Spritz the windows with the window cleaning agent, then wipe or mop them down.
  5. Use a clean squeegee to remove the cleaning agent. Keep the squeegee flush with the window pane and clean downwards from the top. At the end of each wipe, remove any dirt from the squeegee with a paper towel or newspaper. Then, utilize a clean microfiber cloth to remove any excess moisture from the windows.
  6. Some stains, like bird poop, prove quite hard to remove. Before attempting to remove the stain, saturate it with the window cleaning agent and let it sit for a few minutes. Avoid using scrub pads or steel wool because they will scratch your windows. Instead, you should use soft, non-scratch scrub sponges.
  7. Hard water causes mineral deposits to form on your windows. These deposits represent one of the tougher stains to clean, but a commercial cleaner should take care of calcium and lime buildup.

Hello there! Do you have any window cleaning tips that you think will help our readers learn how to clean windows the right way? Contact me with the details, and I will add your tips and tricks to the next update!