Pros use a lambswool tool that they rub across the glass. This tool is soaked in the water solution, and the sweeping motion the pros use gets the dirt off the glass. The brass squeegee you see the pros use is not a magic tool that's cleaning the glass. It's just removing the left-behind water.
Professional window cleaners use a solution made from dish soap and water to achieve a streak-free clean. The key is to use a small amount of soap and distilled water. Some professionals add ammonia to the water for increased cleaning power.
The most common is a water-fed pole cleaner mounted on an extendable pole for easy access to exterior windows. This setup requires significant investment into tools and training but makes cleaning high windows simple. The next most common option is a pair of squeegee and scrubber tools mounted on poles.
A typical solution used by professionals is 3/4 cup clear ammonia or white vinegar, 1 gallon of water and 2 to 4 teaspoons blue Dawn dishwashing liquid combined in a bucket.
A big problem is the evaporation rate. If you're cleaning your windows on a warm sunny day, the liquid part of the solution evaporates quickly and leaves behind a residue that appears as streaks. On the other hand, if you don't entirely remove the liquid you can also be left with a streaky window.
Always start the squeegee at the top of the window in a horizontal path. Tilt the squeegee slightly so the water is forced out the bottom along the wet glass below it. Dry off the squeegee blade with a lint-free, dry cloth after each horizontal stroke. Each stroke should overlap the previous one by about two inches.
Professional window cleaners like Window Genie are trained and experienced in this battle. Window Genie uses a polishing paste specifically designed to fight the minerals that create these stains. The paste is applied to a non-abrasive cleaning pad and the window is lightly scrubbed.
The blue solution in the reservoir is an alcohol-based glass cleaner probably diluted with some water. After multiple people have wiped bugs, mud, oil, and gasoline off their vehicle using the squeegee and dunked it back into the tub, that fluid is more filth than detergent.
Different window-washing companies offer different services. Most will clean only exterior windows, but some will also come into your home to clean interior windows. You can expect to pay an additional $1.60–$3.20 per window for interior cleaning.
Both a washing and a cleaning should leave you with streak-free glass, but a washing is a quick service that isn't as thorough. Window washing usually involves spraying on the solution and wiping it away with a squeegee to remove loose surface debris only. This isn't what's involved in window cleaning.
In a spray bottle, combine ¼ cup of white vinegar with ½ teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Dilute the solution with 2 cups of water, then shake the bottle vigorously to mix the components. If you don't have white vinegar on hand, you can substitute it with lemon juice.
Almost all of the glass cleaners contain glycol ethers, usually ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Alcohol, such as isopropanol, is also commonly found, as well as ammonia.
Use a Magic Eraser
They're called magic erasers for a good reason – they really do work like magic. They scrub gently on surfaces and are super effective at removing water spots from glass.
Window Washing Tips
If you want to take an environmentally friendly route (which we recommend), then a solution of warm water and vinegar will do the trick and get your windows clean. Some brands and types of windows are much easier to clean than others.
Using WD-40®: WD-40® Multi-Use Product is great when it comes to mirror cleaning and water spot removal. It is easy to use and all you have to do is spray the liquid on to the affected area and wipe it clean with a clean cloth. It will leave your glass windows and mirrors sparkling clean and as good as new.
Scheduling yearly or twice-yearly window cleaning services is ideal. And even if that's not doable, the closer you can stick to that schedule the better. Aim for at least once a year and you'll notice a remarkable improvement.
Get Our Free Guide to Starting a Window Cleaning Business
Window cleaning is a straightforward business with low start-up costs, low overheads, and low hassle. It is both profitable and in high demand.
For homes and small businesses it can take anywhere from one hour to three hours to have your windows cleaned professionally. For larger homes and companies it can take from 2 to 6 hours to have all the windows cleaned.
Mix up your window-cleaning solution: In a plastic spray bottle, mix together 2 cups of warm water with 1/4 cup white vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of Dawn. Sweep away dirt: Using a broom, sweep away the cobwebs and debris from the windows and sills.
Professional window cleaners often use dish soaps like Dawn or Joy to help their window cleaning squeegees glide. However, dish soaps are degreasers made up of almost 100% surfactants, so they have a lot of suds.