It’s finally that time of year again! Time for sunshine, lifting those blinds, and opening those windows! But yikes, your windows look a mess! Professional window cleaners are expensive, but I’m going to help you achieve that Squeeky Clean shine without breaking the bank.
Why cleaning your windows is important
People often clean their windows for aesthetic reasons, but there are other benefits to this as well. Dirty and grimy windows let less sunlight into your home, increasing the need to switch on your lights and costing you more in utility bills. Regularly cleaning your windows allows you to enjoy more natural sunlight in your home and saves you money in the process.
Also, rain from the environment begins to leave spots that will not come up, even with a razor blade. This build up over time begins to dull your window. Regular cleaning with the right set of tools can prevent this from happening to you.
Plus, if you decide to sell your home, appraisers will take into consideration overall home maintenance and that could include the state of your windows. Hence, it’s important to deep clean your windows at least twice a year.
Tools you need to clean your windows
You’ll need just a few things to get the job done, namely:
- some rags, microfiber cloths, paper towels, and/or old newspapers
- a solution of vinegar and water and/or Windex
- a razor blade scrapper (more about this down below)
- a squeegee
Tips for cleaning your windows
Alright, now that our window cleaning kit is ready to go, here are my 5 tips for spotless, streak-free windows:
1. Clean off the dirt first
People have the habit of getting right into the Windex and paper towel stage. However, if your windows are dirty, this will just leave streaks. Instead, start by giving your windows a wipe-down with a microfiber cloth to remove dust and other loose debris first.
For particularly grimy windows, you can use a mixture of white vinegar and water for cleaning. After wiping down, spray the mix onto your windows and scrub with scrunched up balls of newspaper. Newspapers are highly absorbent, making them perfect for soaking up any excess water or grease.
2. Clean your window sills
Window sills tend to trap a lot of dust and insect droppings. If you have a vacuum attachment, this is the perfect time to use it. Vacuuming will help to remove all the loose dust and dirt on your window sills.
Next, wipe your window sills with a rag. Keep a bucket of water nearby to wash and rinse out the rags as they get dirty. Alternatively, you can also use disposable paper towels for this step.
This part is messy, but if you’re going to start opening up your windows more, you need to clean out your window sills. Don’t forget to vacuum and gently wipe down your window screens as well. They tend to gather a lot of dust too.
3. Use a razor blade scraper to get rid of stubborn stains and dirt
Your exterior windows are exposed to the outside world and get pretty dirty. Over time, they begin to gather dirt, grime, and even bird droppings. Did you know that bird droppings pose a
health risk to humans? According to BBC news, “Breathing dust or water droplets containing contaminated bird droppings can lead to several diseases, including a flu-like illness called psittacosis. Salmonella – a bacterial infection that can cause diarrhoea – may also be present in some bird droppings.”
It’s best to clean any bird droppings as soon as you notice them using a cloth and some warm water. Over time, these droppings become harder and more difficult to remove. Trying to remove them forcefully can result in visible scratches on your window.
In such situations, using a razor blade scraper allows you to get that professional finish without damaging your windows. The razor blade scrapes away stains, bird droppings, and other things that are stuck to your windows. Make sure to ALWAYS wet your windows first before using the blade, or it will scratch the glass.
4. Use a squeegee for a streak-free finish
Now that you’ve cleaned off the dirt and scraped away any stubborn stains, you are ready for the next step – spray your windows with a window cleaner of your choice and squeegee them clean. Sometimes a cloth or rags can leave streaks, residue, or lint on your windows. Instead, using a squeegee to remove the cleaner leaves a better, streak-free finish.
Make sure you wipe your squeegee after EVERY stroke also, or the water on the squeegee will leave streaks.
5. Don’t forget the finishing touches
Last but not least, after the squeegee, dry off the whole window with a paper towel or cloth. If your window still has a few streaks, just respray lightly with windex, and wipe with a paper towel. You will have a professional looking finish, I promise!
The Squeeky Clean Method 