Glass and Windows
How Do I Clean a Window with the Spray and Wipe Method?
During my 30-plus years as a professional cleaner, I have cleaned countless windows. Usually, I opted for a squeegee, especially if I knew a customer would be watching what I was doing. Let's face it, when you hire someone to do a job, you want to know that they are performing the task in a professional manner. When it comes to cleaning windows, there is nothing that screams “professional” more than squeegee.
However, the reality is, there are times when a lint-free towel is just as effective. In fact, there are situations where I favored cleaning a window with a cloth even if I had a squeegee in my hand.
For at home cleaning, you will find that if you use proper cleaning techniques you can achieve a streak-free shine whether you are using paper towels or fancy microfiber cloth.
Step 1: Gather your supplies. To clean windows you will need:
Step 3: Scrub the window, with tight overlapping circles, with a lint-free towel. This towel can be used on multiple windows, because its purpose is to loosen dirt and soil.
Step 4: Wipe and buff the glass with a dry, lint-free cloth. What we mean here is that you should dry the window completely. If the towel you are using is leaving wet streaks, then you need to change towels. It is critical that a dry towel is used for this step. Depending the type of towel you are using, you may need a new towel for each window (paper towels are only effective for one window; maybe two, at the most). This step is the most important because if the window is not buff dried then the remaining moisture will dry as a steak or haze.
Extra Tips:
However, the reality is, there are times when a lint-free towel is just as effective. In fact, there are situations where I favored cleaning a window with a cloth even if I had a squeegee in my hand.
For at home cleaning, you will find that if you use proper cleaning techniques you can achieve a streak-free shine whether you are using paper towels or fancy microfiber cloth.
Step 1: Gather your supplies. To clean windows you will need:
- Lint-free cloths (microfiber is the first choice; followed by paper towels; terry cloth is a last choice since it tends to leave lint on the glass).
- A Cleaning Solution (store bought products are fine!)If you would like to make your own you can use either a mixture of ammonia and water; Reader’s Digest recommends a recipe of one (1) part ammonia to three (3) parts water; or you can make a vinegar and water cleaner using the same formula one (1) part white vinegar with three (3) parts water. If you want a little bit of suds, add one or two drops of dishwashing liquid per gallon. Yes, ONLY one or two drops. If you add too much dishwashing liquid, it will leave a soapy residue on the glass, which needs to be rinsed.
- If you mixed your own glass cleaner, add it to a spray bottle.
Step 3: Scrub the window, with tight overlapping circles, with a lint-free towel. This towel can be used on multiple windows, because its purpose is to loosen dirt and soil.
Step 4: Wipe and buff the glass with a dry, lint-free cloth. What we mean here is that you should dry the window completely. If the towel you are using is leaving wet streaks, then you need to change towels. It is critical that a dry towel is used for this step. Depending the type of towel you are using, you may need a new towel for each window (paper towels are only effective for one window; maybe two, at the most). This step is the most important because if the window is not buff dried then the remaining moisture will dry as a steak or haze.
Extra Tips:
- Now is a great time to clean the window sill.
- Work systematically. When we work at a customer’s house, we clean windows from the top floor down; and left to right. For instance, if I’m on the first floor, I pick a window to start at, then I move around the floor cleaning the windows in order, left to right. This means I will not skip a window or have to worry about coming back for a window later.
- Have more towels ready than you think you are going to need. A good rule of thumb is one drying towel per window, plus a towel to clean the window while it is wet. It is possible to stretch the towels one towel for every two windows; however, keep in mind that once the towel is wet, it is no longer effective to buff dry the window.
- Practice safety and caution if you are using a ladder to clean your windows. Make sure you ask someone to be your safety spotter when working on a ladder.
- See our other articles on window cleaning to give you a full rounded