A few tested ways to clean windows

Some find window cleaning relaxing, and others consider it an unpleasant chore. Whether we clean them willingly or not, we all have one desire in common: clean glass without streaks!

Everyone has their foolproof patent for cleaning windows. Some use off-the-shelf products, others want to be eco-friendly, and others trust only the tried-and-tested family methods.

Whichever method we choose, there are a few rules to follow to defeat dirt and smudges. Although most of us wait for a warm sunny day to start cleaning, it is precisely the sun that causes streaks to appear.

The origin of streaks

As the sun heats the glass, it causes it to dry too quickly. Effective window cleaning involves specific steps we must not skip or change in order.

The steps

We clean the frames first, starting with the cleaner internal and proceeding to the external side, finishing with the sill.

We can clean regularly maintained wooden frames with warm water and dish soap using a cotton cloth - one soaked in water and one dry - keeping in mind not to use products with ammonia.

Aluminium frames are easy to scratch, so we need soapy water and a delicate cotton cloth. For more stubborn stains, paraffin is a good solution.

uPVC responds well to water and soap or glass cleaners.

With frames clean and dry, it's time for the glass

For glass, we can use ready-made glass cleaners, which we simply spray on and wipe dry with a cloth, paper towel, or a squeegee. Whether we get rid of streaks once and for all depends on the quality of the cleaner.

We can make our own glass cleaner

A combination of warm water and dishwashing liquid works here too. And if you don't want to use chemicals, all we need is vinegar and water in equal proportion. The glass will shine, and the smell unpleasant to some will quickly dissipate. We can always replace vinegar with lemon juice (½ cup of juice for a cup of water) to guarantee clean windows and a fresh smell in the house. For devout minimalists, we recommend plain warm water and a microfibre cloth.

For those seeking a more effective solution than standard cleaners, windscreen washer fluid is the best choice, especially when glass cleaners alone may not suffice. Not only does it cope with any dirt on the windows, including insects, but it also makes the glass more resistant to getting dirty again and to the raindrops that, spitefully, tend to appear right after we wash windows.

Whichever method appeals most to us, the crucial thing in any of them is to wipe the glass dry. As this is the final stage of window cleaning, often even the biggest fans of this activity are already tired. Regardless, this is the thing that affects the appearance or absence of streaks the most.

We hope our tips are helpful during your next clean-up.