Streaks on windows almost always come from the wrong cleaner, the wrong cloth and the weather. Take care of these three things and windows come out clear and streak-free. Here are the steps and common mistakes.
Pick the time
Do not wash windows in direct sun: the cleaner and water dry too fast and leave streaks before you have wiped them. Choose an overcast day or a time when the sun is not shining straight onto the glass. That way you have time to work.
What to wash with
The minimum set for streak-free windows is a rubber squeegee, a microfiber cloth and a solution: water with glass cleaner or a drop of detergent. Paper and old rags leave lint and streaks, so it is better to skip them.
Steps
- Rinse off the dust: remove the dirt first, or it will smear across the glass.
- Apply the solution: spread the cleaner over the whole pane.
- Squeegee from top to bottom: pull the squeegee in strips, wiping it dry after each pass.
- Wipe up the leftovers: go over the edges and corners with a dry microfiber cloth.
Frames and windowsills
Wash the frames and hardware first, then the glass, otherwise dirt from the frame gets onto the clean glass again. Wipe the windowsill and jambs last so you do not leave new splashes and streaks on the glass.
Common mistakes
- Washing in the sun: the main cause of streaks.
- Too much cleaner: the foam dries unevenly and leaves streaks.
- Paper and linty rags: they leave lint and streaks.
After renovation, construction dust and tape marks stay on windows and are harder to remove. Window washing is part of post-renovation cleaning and deep cleaning: we bring the glass to full clarity with professional tools.
These steps are for windows you can reach: the outside glass on upper floors is washed by rope access workers from 600 ₸/m²