Glass and Windows
How Do I Clean a Window with a Squeegee?
Having spent many years in the cleaning industry, I know why so many cleaning companies unabashedly promote, “We don’t clean windows.” It’s simple: if you do not know the proper techniques, you will likely leave a window looking worse than when you started. Streaks going down the center of the window and dirt splatters in the corner are just a couple of the many blunders that people face when attempting to clean windows.
This do-it-yourself instruction guide will teach you everything you need to know to clean windows like a pro. You will be amazed at the clean shine that you will be able to achieve in a fraction of the time it usually takes you to clean windows.
The Solution in 7 Steps:
Step 1: Mix you chemicals. Pre-mixed window cleaning chemicals are fine to use, however they are harsh on the wallet. I prefer a concentrate formula, such as Zep window cleaning concentrate. If you prefer, you can mix your own by pouring a few ounces of ammonia into a gallon of water.
SAFETY ALERT: Many window cleaning products contain ammonia. Never mix ammonia with other cleaning products, especially bleach. Ammonia is known to have dangerous chemical reactions that create poisonous gases that can cause death.
Step 2: Gather your supplies. For window cleaning you will need a bucket, a squeegee (we’ll talk about which size in a moment), several lint-free towels (microfiber is the best choice); a step ladder (follow the manufacturer's safety instructions) and a window scraper.
When it comes to choosing a squeegee, size matters. You will want a squeegee that is just smaller than the window you are cleaning. If the average size window you are cleaning is between 12 and 15 inches across, then a squeegee that is about 10 inches long is ideal. A small, 4 inch squeegee that is meant for cleaning french door panes is only going to slow you down because you will need to make multiple passes to clean the window. Each additional pass you must make with the squeegee is another opportunity for a streak to appear. You reduce the number of potential streaks by making the least number of passes with the squeegee as possible. That starts with having the right size squeegee for the job.
When cleaning windows at a customer’s house, we would have at least 4 squeegees sizes with us: small (4 or 6 inch) squeegee for window panes or french doors; a medium (10 to 12 inch) for “average windows” and an 18 inch squeegee for sliding glass doors and picture windows.
When choosing a squeegee, the best size will require 2 passes of the squeegee to clean the window. For instance, if the length of the window is 15 inches, a 12 inch squeegee will have 3 inches of uncleaned glass after the first pass. The second pass takes care of the reaming 3 inches while overlapping the first pass.
Now that you have the supplies, let’s get to the cleaning!
Step 3: Wet the window with a wrung out, lint-free cloth. Work from top to bottom with a circular motion. The circular motion helps in several ways. For one, it assures that you will naturally overlap as you clean. Second, the surface is being cleaned from all 360-degrees; which aids in removing dirt that is stuck on the window.
Step 4: Slide the squeegee from LEFT to RIGHT over the glass. Yes, you read that correct - left to right. There are occasions where a top to bottom stroke is necessary (and even preferred). But, 9 out of 10 times, a left to right pass is the best choice. This allows the water to cascade down the glass, taking dirt and grime with it.
Step 5: Take a second pass over the glass, lower than your first pass, allowing at least 2 inches of overlap. Ideally, the second pass will take care of the entire window. If not, repeat this step until you have passed over the entire glass.
Step 6: Dry the edges of the window with a dry towel. A common misconception with cleaning windows with a squegee is that the squeegee does all the work. Fact is, you will still need to dry portions of the window with a towel where the squeegee has left water behind. Start at the top corner of the window with your finger inside the towel. The key is to continually use a dry section of the towel, otherwise you will just push the water around the glass.
Step 7: Inspect the window for streaks; buff streak marks with a dry towel as needed. Look at the glass from several angles to make sure there are no streaks going across the window. If there are, buff them with a dry towel (use that same circular motion from step 1). If the streak has dried to the glass, you may need to first wipe with a damp towel, then buff the area dry with a clean towel.
Tips:
This do-it-yourself instruction guide will teach you everything you need to know to clean windows like a pro. You will be amazed at the clean shine that you will be able to achieve in a fraction of the time it usually takes you to clean windows.
The Solution in 7 Steps:
Step 1: Mix you chemicals. Pre-mixed window cleaning chemicals are fine to use, however they are harsh on the wallet. I prefer a concentrate formula, such as Zep window cleaning concentrate. If you prefer, you can mix your own by pouring a few ounces of ammonia into a gallon of water.
SAFETY ALERT: Many window cleaning products contain ammonia. Never mix ammonia with other cleaning products, especially bleach. Ammonia is known to have dangerous chemical reactions that create poisonous gases that can cause death.
Step 2: Gather your supplies. For window cleaning you will need a bucket, a squeegee (we’ll talk about which size in a moment), several lint-free towels (microfiber is the best choice); a step ladder (follow the manufacturer's safety instructions) and a window scraper.
When it comes to choosing a squeegee, size matters. You will want a squeegee that is just smaller than the window you are cleaning. If the average size window you are cleaning is between 12 and 15 inches across, then a squeegee that is about 10 inches long is ideal. A small, 4 inch squeegee that is meant for cleaning french door panes is only going to slow you down because you will need to make multiple passes to clean the window. Each additional pass you must make with the squeegee is another opportunity for a streak to appear. You reduce the number of potential streaks by making the least number of passes with the squeegee as possible. That starts with having the right size squeegee for the job.
When cleaning windows at a customer’s house, we would have at least 4 squeegees sizes with us: small (4 or 6 inch) squeegee for window panes or french doors; a medium (10 to 12 inch) for “average windows” and an 18 inch squeegee for sliding glass doors and picture windows.
When choosing a squeegee, the best size will require 2 passes of the squeegee to clean the window. For instance, if the length of the window is 15 inches, a 12 inch squeegee will have 3 inches of uncleaned glass after the first pass. The second pass takes care of the reaming 3 inches while overlapping the first pass.
Now that you have the supplies, let’s get to the cleaning!
Step 3: Wet the window with a wrung out, lint-free cloth. Work from top to bottom with a circular motion. The circular motion helps in several ways. For one, it assures that you will naturally overlap as you clean. Second, the surface is being cleaned from all 360-degrees; which aids in removing dirt that is stuck on the window.
Step 4: Slide the squeegee from LEFT to RIGHT over the glass. Yes, you read that correct - left to right. There are occasions where a top to bottom stroke is necessary (and even preferred). But, 9 out of 10 times, a left to right pass is the best choice. This allows the water to cascade down the glass, taking dirt and grime with it.
Step 5: Take a second pass over the glass, lower than your first pass, allowing at least 2 inches of overlap. Ideally, the second pass will take care of the entire window. If not, repeat this step until you have passed over the entire glass.
Step 6: Dry the edges of the window with a dry towel. A common misconception with cleaning windows with a squegee is that the squeegee does all the work. Fact is, you will still need to dry portions of the window with a towel where the squeegee has left water behind. Start at the top corner of the window with your finger inside the towel. The key is to continually use a dry section of the towel, otherwise you will just push the water around the glass.
Step 7: Inspect the window for streaks; buff streak marks with a dry towel as needed. Look at the glass from several angles to make sure there are no streaks going across the window. If there are, buff them with a dry towel (use that same circular motion from step 1). If the streak has dried to the glass, you may need to first wipe with a damp towel, then buff the area dry with a clean towel.
Tips:
- Wipe your squeegee clean with a towel after each pass to remove bits of dirt and grit from the window.
- Use a generous amount of solution while cleaning. A wet window cleans better than a damp window because the squeegee needs moisture to help it glide over the window. If your squeegee keeps getting stuck, you need to add extra moisture to the window.
- Overcast days are the best window cleaning days! Yes, everyone loves to look out a clean window on a sunny day, however, cleaning glass in direct sunlight is hard work. The hot rays work against you while you are cleaning by evaporating your cleaning solution before you have a chance to clean the window. Plus, working in the sun is tiring, not to mention the glare that comes off the glass at your face.
- Watch out for bees, poison ivy and other hazards when working on the outside of windows.
- Change your squeegee blade regularly. If you find that the squeegee is not cleaning as well as it should (for instance, it leaves lines of moisture instead of drying the window clean), then it is time to replace the rubber.