How to Get Streak-Free Windows

Cleaning windows is one of the trickiest parts of keeping a house tidy. It can often feel like no matter what cleaning solution or method you use, the windows will end up covered in streaks. That is until you read this guide. We have all the answers when it comes to getting perfectly clean, streak-free windows.

Don’t Clean in the Sun

It’s best to clean windows when it’s not too sunny out, in order to avoid streaks. Clearly Clean Window Washing representative, Ericka Nagal, explains, “Window streaks are mainly caused by evaporation. If the water in the cleaning solution dries up too quickly, it’ll leave the rest of the solution behind causing streaks.” On that same note, you may want to wash your windows in small sections, rather than spray and wipe the whole thing at once. Nagal says, “You also want to avoid spraying your solution across a large area. If you’re cleaning, say, a glass sliding door, work in 3-foot by 3-foot sections, so you have time to wipe the solution off completely before it dries.”

The Best Cleaning Solutions

Rhythm of the Home founder, Stefan Becur recommends several cleaning solutions which he likes better than the typical blue liquid spray. Becur claims that liquid “doesn’t clean windows all that well, and you can easily make a more effective version at home using products you already own.” Instead, he suggests a solution of ½ cup white vinegar and ½ tsp dish soap. Becur prefers unscented and uncolored dish soaps, so there’s no dye or perfume that comes off as residue onto your windows. If you don’t have vinegar, you can use lemon juice instead. It’ll leave a fresh, clean scent, but be warned that the pre-squeezed stuff is more expensive. Lastly, black tea bags work great for specific spots that may appear on windows. Just rub a damp tea bag over the smudge in question.

The Best Cleaning Cloths

Denton Maids representative, Alex Cortez, recommends microfiber cloths for window cleaning. Cortez explains, “They’re more tightly knit, so they won’t leave behind lint like regular cotton towels.” Disaster restoration business owner, Bill Begal, prefers newspapers. He says, “It never streaks, it’s recyclable and I still stand by it as a great glass-cleaning method.” Spekless Cleaning representative, Karina Toner, opts for coffee filters. She claims, “Coffee filters have a mildly abrasive surface, so they will lift grime on a window in one swipe without scratching the glass, and they won’t leave any lint behind, either. They’re also highly absorbent, so they’ll soak up the cleaner you use long before it has the chance to evaporate.”

Then, last but not least, there’s the tried and true squeegee. According to Nagal, “Simply put, no matter which solution you choose to clean your windows, a good squeegee is going to give them a totally streak-free shine.”