Clean a Window

Washing windows is one of those jobs that takes time and devotion. By choosing the right tools and techniques, the task can go much more quickly, and produce better results.

Outside windows

 * 1) Gather all of your tools and supplies. Make sure you have all the necessary items at hand, to avoid doing a bad day's cleaning.
 * 2) Remove sliding windows if necessary to clean. Many (if not all) windows in high-rises can be removed simply by lifting up the sliding section and pulling into the room. (I say 'simply', however, for a large window, yes, this is probably not a job for a slight individual). You simply cannot clean very much of the exterior surface of a high-rise otherwise.
 * 3) Fill a bucket or dishpan with warm water and add a small amount of the detergent of your choice.
 * 4) Remove any windscreens  that are hanging against the windows. Why clean the screens? You'll remove some of the dust that the next rainstorm will knock onto your windows. You'll also get rid of that stale window screen smell. To clean them:
 * 5) *Lift them out of their tracks and rub them together under a running hose
 * 6) *Rub them very gently with a rag or window wand.
 * 7) Remove any cobwebs  you might see with an old broom or old cloth.
 * 8) Remove any excess dirt or dust  from the outside windows with a garden hose. Rinse one window at a time, so that water spots don't dry on the windows.
 * 9) Clean the window frames thoroughly with a soaked sponge.
 * 10) Soak your sponge in the bucket filled with water and you can start cleaning your windows following one of these methods:
 * 11) *Start on the upper-left side of the window and make an s-shape downwards until you reach the bottom-right corner of the window.
 * 12) *Start cleaning the window from the upper-left corner and drag the sponge straight down. Use a chamois or a dry rag to remove any excess water from the squeegee and start cleaning the next line until you reach the right side of the window.
 * 13) *Don't forget to dry your squeegee with a chamois or dry rag after each stroke you've made. Otherwise, you will have visible lines on the window pane.
 * 14) Dry the window frames. After cleaning the window panes, dry off the windows using a chamois or dry cloth.

Inside windows

 * 1) Gather all of your tools and supplies.
 * 2) Fill a bucket or dishpan with warm water and add a small amount of the detergent of your choice.
 * 3) Lay a towel on the floor before you start cleaning the windows.
 * 4) Dust off the window frames using a duster or an old cloth.
 * 5) Clean the window frames thoroughly with your soaked sponge.
 * 6) Soak your sponge in water and start cleaning your windows following one of these methods:
 * 7) *Start on the upper-left side of the window and make an s-shape downwards until you reach the bottom-right corner of the window.
 * 8) *Start cleaning the window from the upper-left corner and drag the sponge straight down. Then using a squeegee, stroking downward from the top, remove the water. Move across the window with consecutive downward strokes. Use a chamois or a dry rag to remove any excess water from the squeegee and start cleaning the next line until you reach the right side of the window.
 * 9) *Don't forget to dry your squeegee with a chamois or dry rag after each stroke you've made. Otherwise, you will have visible lines on the window pane.
 * 10) Dry the window frames. After cleaning the window panes, dry off the windows using a chamois or dry cloth.

Alternative method

 * 1) Get a bucket of warm water. Warm water is able to remove grime and grit better than cold water, but hot water may make the window crack if it is cold outside.
 * 2) Get a bottle of rubbing alcohol. The alcohol is the effective cleanser in cleaning the window. Isopropyl rubbing alcohol is the right kind to use. Do not use wine or any other substance containing other alcohols, or otherwise Isopropyl not by itself.
 * 3) Collect paper towels. You want to create as little lint as possible, so use lint-free paper towels (or even toilet paper).
 * 4) Pour ¼ of the alcohol into the water.
 * 5) Allow to soak for one minute.
 * 6) Shake the alcohol to mix with the water.
 * 7) Dip half of the towel into the bucket.
 * 8) Wipe the window in straight and vertical lines.
 * 9) Dry with another paper towel, drying in the same way as you cleaned.

Tips

 * It is well worth investing in a good-quality, professional squeegee. A few extra dollars up front will save plenty of time and frustration. Measure your smallest window and get the widest blade that will fit in it.
 * If there are little drops left around the edges after squeegeeing, lift them gently with a dry, lint-free cloth or clean finger, but don't rub them around over the freshly-cleaned area. If they're very close to the edges, it may be best just to ignore them.
 * Do not squeegee a window in direct sunlight, or it will leave streaks.
 * Wash the insides of windows first. The outsides will dirty your tools and water much faster.
 * Use glass cleaner only for panes too small for the squeegee, delicate objects, and small touch-up cleaning.
 * Clean, unused newspapers can also be utilized. Just wash the glass as stated above, then use a crumpled-up sheet of newspaper to wipe the glass until it's dry. If the sheet of paper becomes too wet, just use another sheet until the glass is dry. This method will avoid streaking too. Wear rubber gloves if you wish to avoid getting newsprint on your hands.
 * Remember that there is a wet and a dry side to a squeegee. If water is streaking from the top of the squeegee, simply apply a little pressure to the side of the squeegee that is streaking. It helps to wipe the squeegee off from time to time.
 * Try using an angled attempt to your squeegee motion.
 * Practice makes perfect.
 * When cleaning windows inside a house, put down an old towel underneath the window to catch drips.

Warnings

 * Whenever possible, use an extension handle to reach high windows with your feet on the ground. Also, find out if the window panels lift out or fold in for cleaning. If you must use a ladder, use it safely and take care not to overreach.


 * Abrasive materials on some sponges may scratch windows.

Things You'll Need

 * A (natural) sponge
 * A squeegee
 * A chamois
 * A bucket/dishpan
 * A stepladder (optional)
 * An old broom (optional)
 * Paper towels (optional)
 * A water hose (optional)
 * Old Cloths
 * Lint free cloths
 * Newspaper (optional)
 * A detergent of your choice
 * Warm water
 * Towel
 * Mop
 * Duster
 * Isopropyl rubbing alcohol (optional)

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Choose the Right Garden Hose
 * How to Clean Window Screens
 * How to Arrange Your Bedroom Mirrors
 * How to Wash Dishes
 * How to Wash a Backpack
 * How to Wash Your Clothes
 * How to Wash a Car by Hand
 * How to Clean Windows With the Best Homemade Window Cleaner