Achieving Streak-Free Windows during Your Spring Cleaning
Posted on: 26 May 2015
Windows are some of the features of any home. When they're dirty, dusty, or streaked, they can make even a clean home look poorly maintained. Yet many homeowners struggle with the perfect streak-free shine, especially in areas that are high traffic or have fine dust like silt. Next time you're doing a whole house clean, you might want to consider these tips to reduce streaks.
Use a Glass Cleaner with Ammonia
Gently mist the surface with a glass cleaner that is either ammonia or alcohol based. Ammonia and alcohol will provide a clean surface by dissolving dirt without leaving behind spots as it dries. They are also safe for home use. You don't want to use any cleaners that aren't made for glass. If you don't have any glass cleaner at hand you can often just use vinegar and water—though it won't give the high polish shine of a commercial glass cleaner.
Clean with a Wet Sponge First
Using a wet sponge, clean your windows in a circular motion. Don't use anything that can leave traces of lint, such as paper towels, wipes, or newspaper. If there is anything physically on your window, such as bird droppings, you want to clean it off at this time. Take care if your window has any type of surface application, such as tinting—otherwise you can safely scrub using the harsher side of the sponge.
Use a Dry Microfiber Cloth to Finish
Where most people go wrong is that they immediately try to dry the surface of their glass -- or they try to use a damp rag to clean. Don't. Instead, let the glass dry and then wipe off the glass with a dry microfiber cloth, in a circular motion. This will wipe up anything that remains of the glass cleaning solution or the dust. In fact, if you have dry dust on your glass you can often skip a wet cleaning and simply "dust" the surface with a dry cloth. If your surface is dry and your cloth is dry, you should never leave streaks.
Of course, sometimes you just can't get your windows looking the way they did when they were first installed—especially if you have second story windows that are difficult to reach. A residential window cleaning service like Clear Blue Window Cleaners can help treat your windows so that they repel dust in addition to cleaning them to a streak-free shine.
Share