The best time to schedule window cleanings depends on where you live and how susceptible your windows are to getting dirty. Generally, window cleaning should be done at minimum once or twice per year, plus on an as-needed basis, including at least one cleaning of any window screens.
Residential Windows
For residential homes, you should schedule window cleaning at least twice a year.
You can use Windex® Ammonia-Free Glass Cleaner on your car's tinted windows, mirrors, glass, chrome, stainless steel, plastic, and vinyl surfaces. For a streak-free shine, clean car windows when the surface is cool and out of direct sunlight whenever possible.
If you're all about the DIY life, we've got just the thing for you. Combine two parts water with one part white vinegar in a spray bottle and you'll be all set with a homemade window cleaner. You can also combine warm water with a few drops of dishwashing soap if you prefer.
Use a cleaning solution: Like Glass-Rite cleaner! Or we also recommend a simple solution of equal parts vinegar and water, a Windex solution in water is good also. Do not use glass cleaners that are ammonia or alcohol based. They may leave streaks or make a film that attracts moisture or dust.
Interior windows should always be cleaned using a professional squeegee and scrubber tool for a streak-free clean. Exterior windows can be cleaned the same way but can also be cleaned using a water-fed pole for clean results without streaks.
If you have smeared windows when you're finished cleaning, you've left cleaning solution, soap, or minerals behind. Whether you have white residue on windows or another blemish, the solution is the same. Clean faster, use cleaner water, and wipe away all your solution, so nothing is left behind.
This has to do with the evaporation rate—if your cleaning solution evaporates before you have time to wipe it off, it will leave a mark. Alcohol- and ammonia-based cleaners evaporate more quickly than vinegar, but any window cleaner can leave streaks if it isn't removed fast enough.
Paper towels are an easy go-to whenever you're cleaning glass. But, that right there is your problem. Paper towel is the number one culprit of leaving behind streaks and lint. Paper towels are typically treated for absorbency, which makes them ideal for spills, but awful for glass cleaning.
For best results, make sure you completely rinse suds. Do not allow product to dry before rinsing, rinse windows from top to bottom and use Windex® Outdoor Sprayer when the temperature is above 55º F. If the product is applied to eaves or siding above windows, it may drip down on windows.
The only time to avoid professional window cleaning is during storms when there is lots of wind present. This is because the wind can blow dust and debris against the glass. But, even in winter, homeowners can benefit from residential window cleaning and pressure washing treatments to keep their homes looking great.
An extremely effective degreaser, Windex can soften built-up grease throughout the kitchen, especially on hard-to-clean range hoods, fans, and light fixtures. Spray down the surface liberally, let stand for 10 minutes, and then wipe it up.
It's often best to clean windows when temperatures are between 64 degrees Fahrenheit and a temperature in the 70s. In other words, seek a day that's not overly hot. For many, this means either a day in the fall or spring or a very early morning on a cooler day in summer.
Most people should wash their sheets once per week. If you don't sleep on your mattress every day, you may be able to stretch this to once every two weeks or so.
In larger amounts, you could burn your nose, throat, and respiratory tract, even leading to the destruction of your airway. Children exposed to the same amount of the chemical will have heightened reactions compared to adults, and pregnant women risk developing asthma if exposed to too much ammonia in aerosol form.
Spray a stronger mix of 1:1 water and vinegar (or Windex, or glass cleaner) at your window, so that the solution covers most of the glass. (I found Windex to work better, but if you have pets—or kids—who frequently lick outdoor windows, vinegar may be the best route for you.)
Salt and other minerals in the hard water might look clean as you wash the window, but once dry it becomes a white streaky mess. This is often seen on windows that are hit by sprinklers or ground water, although there are some areas that have hard enough water inside to look this way as well.
Use a Z-shaped motion on your glass panes
It is a good idea to fill your spray bottle with your vinegar solution for a seamless application over the glass. 'Take a microfiber cloth and wipe in a Z-shaped motion to stop the smears and get every little,' they say.
It's often recommended to spray the window cleaner directly on your microfiber cloth, newspaper, or t-shirt instead of the glass. The reason is that this will help you avoid drips that can leave streaks if you don't wipe them up quickly. You also need to be more careful with windows and mirrors with wood frames.
For the most part, a home can generally get away with a thorough cleaning twice a year. For windows that look great all year round, two to four professional washing a year is optimal.
Clean Outside Windows
You'll remove the first layer of dirt and make the detail work that much easier. Plus, on a summer day, you can use window washing as an excuse to splash in the water a little bit.
A mixture of vinegar and water can provide an effective and non-toxic cleaning solution for windows and mirrors. To clean your windows with vinegar, combine equal parts vinegar and distilled water in a spray bottle.