How to Clean Windows Inside and Out
What You Need
Cleaning solutionVacuum cleaner with hose attachmentWet clothGarden hose with sprayerLadder (optional)Warm soapy waterClean coffee filters (optional)Crumpled newspaper (optional)Microfiber or flour sack towel (optional)Squeegee with nick-free blade (optional)
Step 1: Test the Temperature
Don’t want to waste a sunny day chasing away the dirt and grime on windows? You’re not alone—and you’re in luck. One of the best pieces of advice for how to clean windows is to pick a cloudy day. The absence of sunlight will help to minimize the chance of streaks because heat makes window cleaning solution evaporate faster than you can wipe it off. Lack of glaring sunlight also enables you to better see—and better clean—the windows. To quickly test the temperature, touch the window glass. If it’s hot to the touch, wait for a cooler day.
Step 2: Remove Dust and Dirt from Windows
No window washing job is complete without using your vacuum first. Dust and dirt can accumulate inside the sills of your windows, and once that gets wet, you’ll be left with muddy streaks to clean up. That’s why an essential step in cleaning windows properly is to hook up the vacuum first, using hose attachments to clean out the interior side of your windows. While you’re at it, use the vacuum to suck up dust or bugs that have gathered at the window closing. Then wipe off any lingering dirt and cobwebs with a wet cloth to reduce grimy smears.
Step 3: Clean Outside Windows
There’s one crucial step that many people skip when learning how to clean windows: an exterior hose-down. Close all your windows and use a garden hose to spray the outside. You’ll remove the first layer of dirt and make the detail work that much easier. Plus, on a summer day, you can use window washing as an excuse to splash in the water a little bit.
Step 4: Clean Inside Windows
How you wash individual windows depends on the type of windows you have. Newer versions flip open, enabling you to clean both the outside and inside from the same spot. Older ones might be stationary, which means you’ll have to use a ladder to clean the exteriors. Most will allow you to remove the screens and clean them separately. Clean indoor glass panes with a window cleaner. Screens can be cleaned with warm, soapy water, either on a paved outside area or in a bathtub.
Step 5: Use a System for Cleaning Windows
Enlist the family for help cleaning windows. Have one person work inside, wiping windows horizontally, while another wipes outside vertically. That way you’ll know which side the dirt or streaks are on. Be sure to find a ladder you feel comfortable on. If you have a window you’d have to reach for, leave it to the pros.
Step 6: Dry Window Glass
There are few things that can ruin freshly cleaned windows quicker than gobs of left-behind lint. Instead of paper towels, utilize a lint-free option, such as clean coffee filters, crumpled newsprint, or a microfiber or flour-sack towel. Alternatively, try a small squeegee with a sharp, nick-free rubber blade. This fool-proof trick will make you feel like a professional window cleaning service.
DIY Window-Cleaning Solution
There are many DIY window cleaner recipes available, but our favorite starts with a vinegar base. To make your own glass cleaner, you’ll need the following ingredients:
What You Need
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol1/3 cup vinegarDistilled water32 oz. spray bottleLint-free cloth
For best results, look for vinegar that says “made from grain” on the label. Funnel the ingredients into a 32-ounce spray bottle and lightly shake to mix. Spritz onto a lint-free cloth and clean your windows.
