Are your windows looking a little dirty? Maybe when the sunlight hits them you are noticing things you didn’t realize were there. Perhaps you have been sitting on the couch all relaxed and suddenly realize there are far more marks, bugs or fingerprints all over that you didn’t notice were there before. You may be seeing smudges or fingerprints. It’s time to have your windows shine again and have your windows crystal clear. There are plenty of ways to do this and bring the bright light back into your room that you have been craving. In this article, you will also learn about the trusted old newspaper trick and even how to make your own cleaning solution. Keep reading to learn more!

For window cleaning, you first will need a few things. This list includes; a large brush or broom handle, a bucket, a sponge, a squeegee, window cleaner, a newspaper, and a cloth.

Since each window is different. Some are larger than others. Some are shaped differently. Some, of course, is indoors, and some are outdoors. Because of all the differences, it will determine how you wash the window. For example, when you are outdoors, it’s great to spray it with a hose during the rising process. That would make a terrible mess inside though! Keep reading as we show you how to clean each window.

For cleaning windows inside you will do the following:

• Fill your bucket with clean and cool water. Simply add a couple of drops of liquid dish soap so that you get the windows as clean as possible. Don’t overdo the drops though, this will actually only cause your windows to be messier than they already are.
• Place any large towel under the window so that any spills are caught. You don’t want a huge mess to clean up after you have your windows clean. This will prevent this mess and also prevent anyone from slipping on the water that is spilled.
• Next, you will use a clean cloth or a sponge and clean the entire surface of the window. We recommend in the inside to start from the top and work your way to the bottom. Also, remember to clean all the frames too.
• Next, you will spray the window with vinegar as well as a water solution. This should prevent streaking and get your windows as clean as possible.
• The next step is to clean the window. You can do this with a newspaper (also known as the newspaper method which typically preventing streaking) or a clean tower. You will wipe the window down by making a z-shape motion the whole time.
• If you still see streaks or they are not quite clean, you can do this entire process again.

For outdoor cleaning, it is a similar process but still has differences. Below are the steps for cleaning your windows outside.

• Typically, the outdoor windows will have more dirt and stains on them. Because of this, start by rinsing the windows with a hose. This will help to loosen any dirt already on them and even have the debris fall off.
• Next, fill a bucket with clean water that is also cool. You will add a couple of drops of liquid dish soap. Again, not too much but enough to have some bubbles in your water.
• Use a soft cloth and go over the surface of the windows. Use a soft cloth that does not have any rough edges (this may damage the window), and wipe the surface of the window. Get off any dirt that may be there.
• After that, you will rinse the entire window with a clean squeegee. Make sure that you angle the squeegee down. You also want to make sure to work top to bottom. After each pass makes sure that you wipe the squeegee with a dry towel.
• It’s important that you remember to also clean the window screens. These may be dirty too and will help your window look crystal clean. Ringe them with water and then spray them with vinegar and water. Lastly, rinse them again with plain water before putting them back onto the window.

To clean multi-pane windows, the process will be slightly different. It is important to remember to move the squeegee from left to the right during the cleaning process. After this, go top to bottom on each pane. If you have some dirt that doesn’t seem to come off, try and use a bristle brush so that it loosens the dirt making it easier to wash off. It is the little details that make your window look crystal clean.

If you are cleaning a single-pane window once again the process is slightly different. For the cleaning, you will use your squeegee from the left downwards. You will make a backward “S” motion. Every once in a while it is important to wipe the squeegee blade so that you remove the residue.

Unfortunately, not all windows are the same. For cleaning the skylight, you may need a special extension to get all of it. If it becomes dangerous because it is so high up to clean, it’s important to hire a professional window cleaner to get the job done correctly.

If you are looking for your windows to be extra sparkling clean and feel unsure if you missed any streaks outside or on the inside, make sure that you remember this quick trick. Clean the outside of the window horizontal. Clean the inside of the window vertically. This way you can know if the streak is coming from the inside or outside.

Earlier, we referred to the newspaper method to dry your windows. This is supposed to help avoid any streaks and smears. We recommend though if you have a white wall, white trim or white window inserts to avoid using a newspaper. The newspaper method is popular because it helps stop streaking because it leaves an oily film on the windows. However, if you have white on the windows, the newspaper may come off onto them and you are left with black smudges. This is the opposite look you are going for. In the case of white trim, try and use a cloth instead.

We hope that this article helped you understand how to get your windows crystal clear. It can be confusing depending on what kind of windows you have or if they are inside or outside. If you are ever struggling to get your window as clean as you want it, or you are not able to reach them, a window cleaning company is always a great idea. Never be afraid to ask questions.