Window

Absolutely the Best Window Cleaning Tips Ever

I have this thing for clean windows. I love them, which means I have an equal but opposite disdain for dirty windows. And when I say clean, I mean the kind of clean that makes windows sparkle like diamonds in the morning sun. Some days I wish that by some miracle, a professional window-washing service would come to my home every week to clean windows—every single one both inside and out.

But I have a two-story house with a lot of windows—to say nothing of the time and money that would require to move everything away from every window to get ready every week!—so right there you know why I can’t and I don’t.

Instead, I depend on these great DIY window cleaning tips I’ve learned over the years—many of them from you, my awesome readers for how to wash windows from the outside, and from the inside, too.

A person standing in front of a window

Tips for how to wash windows

Dry, cloudy day

If you’ve ever tried to clean outdoor windows on a bright sunny day, you already know the problem. Your cleaning solution dries on the glass faster than you can turn around to grab your cleaning cloth. You’ll end up with a horrible streaky, muddy-like mess. Instead, wait for a dry, cloudy day.

Microfiber cloths

Paper towels and newspapers have long been touted as best for scrubbing and drying the glass (my mother-in-law Gwen swore by the New York Times as the only newspaper worthy of window-washing)—but what a dirty, icky mess they create! Paper options break down and leave lint behind. Besides, newspapers are not as available for recycling as they once were. If you’re interested in efficiency and clean, streak-free windows, forget the paper.

Instead, use microfiber cloths (like these from Amazon) to clean windows. Microfiber grabs dirt and dust. Microfiber cleaning cloths are soft and non-abrasive. They won’t scratch glass or painted surfaces and you will enjoy the lint- and streak-free results you get with microfiber. And the best part? These cloths can be washed, rinsed, and reused hundreds of times.

Frame and tracks first

Lots of dirt can accumulate along the track and frame of a window. Clean that area first so you don’t make mud once you start cleaning the glass. Wet an old toothbrush or one of this handy household brush set, and dip it first into vinegar and then baking soda to scrub these areas. Wipe away the residue with a wet rag. Now you’re ready to clean that window.

Homemade window cleaners

All-Purpose Window Cleaner

You won’t find a better window, glass, and mirror cleaner than this recipe for how to make it yourself. Bonus: It’s super cheap!

You will need:

✅ white vinegar

✅ isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol

✅ cornstarch

✅ dishwashing liquid like blue Dawn

✅ water

 

spray bottle clean outdoor window diy cleaning solution
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5 from 5 votes

All-Purpose Homemade Window Cleaner

Say goodbye to streaky windows with this versatile all-purpose window cleaner recipe. Made with simple ingredients you likely already have at home, it's perfect for keeping your windows sparkling clean and clear.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: DIY Household Cleaners, Make Your Own
Cuisine: Housekeeping
Servings: 20 ounces
Author: Mary Hunt

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol*
  • ¼ cup white vinegar 5% acidity
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 5 drops dishwashing liquid, like Blue Dawn
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  • Pour the ingredients into a spray bottle, labeling it clearly for future use. Give the bottle a good shake to mix everything thoroughly.
  • Spray the solution onto your windows, covering them evenly.
  • Use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe away the solution, starting from the top and working your way down.

Notes

* Can't find rubbing alcohol? You can substitute with denatured alcohol, which you can find in the paint aisle of any good home improvement store. Can't find that either? Substitute rubbing alcohol with gin or vodka.

Outdoor Window Cleaner

How do you clean windows from outside? It’s not easy! This is an ideal cleaner for big outdoor windows when you don’t want to use a ladder to wash them by hand. You will need a hose with a good spray nozzle, some kind of scrubber (I like this one from Amazon), and long-handled pole for windows that are out of reach.

First, make up a batch of this window cleaner, which is ideal for outdoor windows that are difficult to reach because you rinse and let the windows drip-dry. Make sure you do this on a cloudy day.

You will need:

✅ rinse aid

✅ isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol

✅ household ammonia

✅ automatic dishwasher detergent powder

✅ hot water

 

outdoor window cleaning solution recipe squeegee and yellow glove
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Outdoor Window Cleaner

This outdoor window cleaner is perfect for those hard-to-reach windows, especially when you'd rather avoid climbing a ladder. You'll need a hose with a good spray nozzle, a scrubber (I recommend this one from Amazon), and a long-handled pole for those out-of-reach spots. Remember to tackle this task on a cloudy day for optimal results.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: DIY Household Cleaners
Cuisine: Housekeeping
Servings: 2 gallons
Author: Mary Hunt

Ingredients

  • ½ cup dishwasher rinse aid, i.e. Finish by Jet Dry
  • ½ cup isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, or denatured alcohol
  • ¼ cup household ammonia, either sudsing or non-sudsing
  • cup any automatic dishwasher detergent powder, i.e. Cascade Complete
  • 2 gallons hot water

Instructions

  • Pour all ingredients into the bucket and mix well until combined.
  • Spray windows with the powerful spray nozzle, knocking off dirt, grime, and debris. Set the hose aside.
  • Dip your scrubber of choice into the solution and get it fully saturated. Don't wring it out.
  • Scrub the window thoroughly in all directions, making sure you reach the corners.
  • Spray the window again with clean water.
  • Let dry. That's it! Both the dishwasher detergent and rinse aid will create a "sheeting" action, to leave windows clean and streak-free. You can find a printable version of this outdoor window cleaning solution recipe below.

Notes

Note: When it comes to safety issues for pets and plants that might come in contact with this cleaner as it is rinsed away, I cannot say for sure what you should expect.
What I know is this formula has not damaged in any way anything growing in the area of the windows I've cleaned.
Here's why: many landscape fertilizers contain ammonia, and the ingredients in this cleaner are significantly diluted in the 2 gallons of water used. Additionally, they're further diluted when rinsed away.
After cleaning, I make sure to thoroughly hose off the deck, especially areas beneath windows near plants, to dilute any remaining residue. If you have concerns, I recommend conducting your own research for peace of mind.

A good squeegee

There’s a reason professional window washers use a squeegee to clean windows. It’s quick, easy and it works. First, hit that dirty window with a sponge and your favorite cleaning solution (most pros I’ve consulted use just a squirt of dishwashing liquid in a bucket of warm water, but I prefer the recipe above that contains cornstarch) and scrub in a circular motion, making sure you get into the corners.

Window

 

Starting at the top left, pull the squeegee over the soapy glass in a backward S-pattern (if you’re left-handed start at the top right). overlapping each pass. At the end of each stroke or as needed, wipe the squeegee blade clean with a damp microfiber cloth or another lint-free rag. Once you’ve squeegeed the entire window, remove any water left on the edges of the window with the damp cloth.

Window screens

Once each year it’s good to remove all window screens and wash them with a hose and spray nozzle, allowing them to dry in the sun. And that’s a lot of work!

Here’s a quick and easy way to keep them clean between major cleans: Use a sticky lint-roller. Just roll it over the screen (gently, please) and all that fuzz and clingy dirt will stick to it.

Fix that errant streak

Don’t you hate it when you get done washing the windows, everything is put away, and finally you can sit down to admire your work when … Ack! You see a streak. This is the reason you need to keep a clean chalkboard eraser in your window-cleaning toolbox (you have one of those, right? 😁). Just take that clean chalkboard eraser and gently run it over the window to erase those marks and Voila!, all sparkly clean.

Updated 1-25-21 


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10 replies
  1. Columbia Window Cleaner says:

    Great article Mary! Nothing beats old-fashioned hard work and elbow grease to get the feeling and clarity of windows you cleaned yourself!

    I do want to add, however, that while these tips are excellent for indoor windows, the exterior of a home is not so easy and sometimes not as safe! You put yourself at heightened unnecessary risk if you’re cleaning windows that are even > 5 feet above the ground. It’s important to weight the risk/benefit of your safety and the clarity of your windows when doing a DIY cleaning. Sometimes it’s worth the price of your safety to hire professional window cleaners to get those 2nd and 3rd story windows.

    Keep up the great work!

    Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Cornstarch is slightly abrasive, does not dissolve in water so it stays that way even when this window cleaner is not being use. More than that, its ability to absorb moisture makes it the star of many homemade cleaners. This window cleaner dries quickly because of the cornstarch and makes the job even quicker

      Reply
    • Mary Hunt says:

      Right. Always a good reminder but do you see anything in this post or this blog suggesting anyone should mix bleach and ammonia? No you don’t and you never will.

      Reply
  2. Estelle Stone says:

    As usual, you have the best ideas, recipes and knowledge. Thank you for this! As I sit here and look out at my dirty windows, I am thankful to have this recipe. I will be making it this week. I, like you, will not pay to have someone else do my windows when I can do them myself. Thanks Mary!!

    Reply

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