Dish soap is perfect for cleaning windows with residue and buildup, and you only need a few drops of dish soap to get the job done. If you're cleaning inside windows, use a spray bottle and if you're washing exterior windows, use a bucket.
The best streak-free window cleaner is a simple blend of distilled water and a bit of dish soap. This is the best window cleaner because it breaks up grease and allows the squeegee to slide smoothly.
The best homemade window cleaning solution is to just mix two gallons of water and about a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid together in your bucket. Some people also opt to use vinegar and water to clean windows.
Purified water does a better job of removing dirt from windows and it does not leave any residue behind that can smear the glass surface. Water softeners remove hard water scale and scum minerals through an ion exchange process.
You can use a solution of dish soap and hot water, then scrub gently with a sponge. Hose down with clean water. Then use a hose to get rid stains and debris. You may have to use a ladder to reach windows on the second level.
Skip the specialty products and make your own cleaning solution using a mix of water and dish soap. This combo is tough enough to cut through grime on especially dirty windows, like those in the kitchen, yet won't leave a residue. Alternatively, vinegar can also be used as an effective DIY window cleaner.
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.
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.
When you cook, your kitchen becomes an excellent environment for steam, grease, and bacteria. All of the above settles on the glass, making it dirty, muddy, and unpleasant looking. The same happens in households where people smoke. Cigarette smoke creates a greasy yellow film on windows.
This easy toothpaste method works well for erasing small scratches and marks from windows, but more severe scratches or damage will likely call for professional help. If the DIY tactic doesn't work or the window's scratches seem too deep to tackle, consider hiring a professional glass repair service near you for help.
Remove scratches from windows with toothpaste
Simply apply a non-gel toothpaste to a soft cloth, then rub it into and over the scratch in a circular motion. Follow this by wiping the area clean with a damp cloth, then dry and buff the window. This works because non-gel toothpaste tend to be gritty.
"You only need a tiny drop," the Queen of Clean advised as she applied a dot of washing up liquid onto a microfibre cloth and spread it across the glass. She explained: "You're creating a barrier which is going to stop the water from sticking on it."
The most common professional window cleaning solution recipe is filtered or distilled water and dish soap. Just a few spoonfuls of dish soap is all that's needed to create foam for gliding and to help break up any grease and dirt on the glass during cleaning.
What happens if you don't clean your windows? "Mostly, you will slowly have less light coming into your home," Ek explains. "However, over time, a buildup of dirt particles can actually etch or degrade the glass."
Window cleaning professionals suggest avoiding window washing on very sunny days or at a time when a window is in direct sunlight, as the heat may cause the glass to dry too quickly and cause smears.
Once all the dirt is off the windows, it's time to dry them. Working from the top down to prevent drips, dry the glass with a squeegee or clean, dry, lint-free towel. Use a dry part of the same cloth to wipe away cleaner that's pooled around the edges where the glass meets the frame.
For residential windows, we recommend that you fully clean your windows at least twice a year, but three times a year may be best for those who live in areas with lots of trees where pollen tends to accumulate. Every six months is a good rule of thumb for window cleaning, but more often is even better.
Most of us don't consider cleaning our windows with water alone but it can be extremely effective. However, it is important to consider what is in the water you use as the content of your water can influence cleanliness.
Several homemade cleaners can work effectively to leave sparkling glass. But for convenience and safety, the simple solution of white vinegar and distilled water is the best DIY window cleaner. It's non-toxic, unlike most commercial cleaners, and versatile enough for several cleaning projects around the house.
Vinegar. A trusted way to get windows sparkling is a combination of water and vinegar. Fill a bucket with water and add two or three cups of white vinegar.
Vinegar is non-toxic, making it perfect for cleaning your windows instead of using harsh chemicals. It is much more economical than chemical cleaning solutions. Crawling insects are also not fond of vinegar, so using this solution will help keep your windows looking cleaner for longer.
Washing-up liquid, such as FAIRY or CITROL, can be used instead of a professional window cleaning solution, but these solutions have been designed to increase the glide of the squeegee and do not leave behind a residue like some washing up liquids.
You can also make an all-natural window cleaning solution using a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and hot water. Adding a touch of liquid soap to the vinegar solution will help remove any streak-causing wax left on the window from commercial cleaners used in the past.