Cleaning windows is an industry that stretches as far and as wide as any other. Professional window cleaning all by itself is a profitable industry and it usually costs a lot to have your windows cleaned. Even though it may be something which needs professional attention, its not something you couldn’t do all by yourself.
Window cleaning may seem as easy as rinse and wipe, but there are is wide range of different ways to clean windows and this is a compilation of the ten best ways to clean windows all by yourself. The list contains home DIYs and professional methods which will surely benefit your window cleaning game. Every method is devised in step by step procedures to help you get the job done accurately, so be sure to read carefully before proceeding to clean your windows and as always safety comes first since some windows may be on higher floors where professionals do it with proper safety regulations and gear.
1. Window Washer & Squeegee Method- Professional Remedies
Professional tools have come a long way to reinforce proper and thorough cleaning with the introduction of the washer and squeegee for windows. These tools were specially designed to clean windows and glass with proper efficiency. These Professional tools are available online at reasonable rates and prices with varying degrees of different products made for different purposes.
The most basic are the washer and the squeegee. The washer is usually a stretch of microfiber cloth over a T shaped structure designed to rinse, wash or apply soap on the glass of windows. It can come in varying materials ranging from soft to abrasive for their intended purposes, but the most commonly used for window cleaning is the microfiber washer as it is ideal for cleaning out and applying soap on the window glass. The squeegee is also a T shaped apparatus but with a sturdy frame spouting a rubber blade to scrape or wipe off water and soap off the window glass with utmost efficiency. Squeegees can come in varying number and lengths of rubber blades depending upon their usage but the most common is the single blade 6 inch squeegee.
Using a washer and squeegee might sound easy unless you want to leave behind lines of soap which may be annoying and recurring no matter how many wipes you lay on it. The proper usage technique isn’t that tough.
Follow the steps to get the best cleaning out of your squeegee and washer.
First apply soap evenly throughout the window making sure to get every inch and corner covered. Remember, you do not need to wipe the window repeatedly with the washer since it is only meant for soap application.
Next, take your squeegee lining one side with the window border while the other side will be facing a downward angle to the side you’re wiping. Firmly press down on the squeegee and wipe down all the way making the other side perpendicular to the side you’re cleaning as it reaches the end. Use this ngle and technique for all four sides to get the ultimate clean.
The Result
The washer and squeegee are the professional tolls which are meant to be used frequently to prevent and clean the build up of minerals on the glass. However this will not be affective in cleaning out deep mineral deposits so he washer and squeegee are used to maintain the shine of your windows while cleaning out smaller layers of mineral deposits.
2. Vinegar and Baking Soda Method to Clean Windows- Home Remedies
Amongst all methods of home remedy/DIY cleaning, vinegar and baking soda stand out entirely for their efficiency, cost and availability. The ease of use is exceptionally prominent since you wouldn’t have to go all the way to home depot to get a professional cleaner.
For this method, you will need two spray bottles, vinegar, baking soda and wiping cloth to clean it all off.
First fill one spray bottle with water and fill other with equal parts of vinegar and water, making a dilute solution. Prep your widow for cleaning by taking your wiping cloth, soaking it in water and sprinkling some baking soda on it. Make sure you are using a soft wiping cloth as the abrasive nature of baking soda may cause scratches. Wipe the window with this wiping cloth carefully and gently. This will remove any access calcification on windows.
Next step, you will need to wipe the window with another soaked wiping cloth, make sure to get all the baking soda off. After you have removed all the residual baking soda from the glass of the window, proceed to spray the window with the half vinegar solution carefully and thoroughly. Spray generous amounts of vinegar and make sure to cover every inch of the window. Take a wiping cloth and wipe the window gently, spreading the vinegar evenly and cleaning the surface with it.
Once you’ve cleaned the window adequately with vinegar, proceed to spray the window with just water. Make sure you spray and wipe to get the vinegar off entirely as it can leave an unpleasant lingering smell. Once all the water has been cleaned off, your window will be left in crystal clear condition.
The Result
The combined cleaning power of vinegar and baking soda reaches deep below any staining and calcification on windows that’s left behind by dried water splashes. When water dries on windows, it leaves behind a layer of minerals which can be quite tough to get rid of. Baking soda and vinegar make sure to get the calcified layer off without ruining the window itself, therefore this method is considered for deep cleaning of windows.
3. Both Side Windows Cleaning Technique with Magnetic Cleaner
Professional tools have come up with a good solution for that exactly and introduced the magnetic window cleaner which can simultaneously clean both sides of a window without you having to doubt the integrity of your cleaning skills.
With the innovation of the magnetic cleaning tool, it also makes cleaning faster, since you’re getting twice the amount of work done at the same time. The magnetic washer is a two-part rectangular mechanism, which have rubber blades installed under it to facilitate cleaning. They also have a strong magnet built inside each unit so they can move together in unison when each side is placed on opposite sides of the glass. From there, the magnets guide its movements from whichever side you may wish to guide it while effectively cleaning both sides of the window at the same time.
Magnetic window cleaners work in a very simplistic way and even a child could operate it, but there are still proper techniques involved. Magnetic cleaners have rubber blades to facilitate cleaning but they also come with a microfiber washing cloth that you should put under each side to apply soap or cleaner solution for application and rinsing.
The first step involves using this microfiber add-on to apply soap, while you guide the magnetic sides to cover all the surface of the glass with soap thoroughly.
Then you take off the microfiber and repeat the processing using the rubber blades to wipe off the soap water off. It is recommended that you use S defined motions so as to nt leave any lines of soap while wiping while also using a low angular wipe down. Finish off by using another microfiber add-on to rinse the surfaces using the same guiding movements and you’ve had cleaned both sides of your window without hassle.
The Result
Magnetic cleaners use the traditional squeegee technique but they clean both sides at once and with components such as the microfiber add-on, it is a tool to maintain the pristine condition of your windows while cleaning off loose deposits on your windows. It does not however have deep reach cleaning but it provides the best cleaning if you’re looking to clean and maintain both sides at once on a frequent basis.
4. High-rise Window Cleaning with Telescopic Pole.
Window cleaning could be made difficult with the height of the building especially when it comes to buildings with permanently locked windows where you can’t reach the outside of the window to clean and just watch it as it gets dulled by dust and mineral deposits.
Professional tools have an answer for pretty much everything and yes they have you covered. On usual cleaning processes, tools such as the washer and squeegee are used in almost every cleaning procedure but now they come with an extension which allows you to add a pole or a telescopic pole to get an extra reach when you have to clean windows which are high.
Telescopic poles and extension poles help a cleaner get to tight unreachable spots with ease while still keeping the functionality of your squeegee or washer. Usually, the manufacturers will provide both the cleaning tools and the extension poles which come as a set with limited compatibility with poles of their own origin.
The process involving telescopic poles is simple and it requires you to simply plug and clean before you continue cleaning the hard to reach areas of the window.
However there are precautions and guidelines to using extension poles for high windows. The main precaution is your own safety since you might be on a higher level off the ground.
The next precaution is for when you’re actually cleaning the window which is that you may apply unnecessary force to clean the window and break the pole or the window glass. Know that the extension already adds downward application force on your cleaner with the addition of length therefore it should be taken as a precaution. The rest of the cleaning process is as easy as wiping and cleaning with a squeegee and washer.
The Result
The cleaning capabilities you get using an extension pole is the reach you’d get for higher windows. However, it uses the same cleaning capabilities of the squeegee and washer which is simply maintenance and surface cleaning. It will be enough to clean off the dirt and dust off the window and bring it back to its former shine and the level of cleaning can be increased to deep cleaning with the use of special cleaning solutions which we will be looking at later.
5. Remove Glue & Resin from Window- WD-40 Cleaning Spray
One thing no one can stand is, having to take off a sticker or tape off your window and leaving behind residual glue and resin which dulls over time and leaves a horrible mark on the glass. People have tried to wash it off using soap, washer and squeegee and usually it does not yield any good results since the glue and resin are just the most stubborn things to get off windows. Even professional cleaning techniques don’t have an effective solution to this issue without the use of strong industrial glue dissolving acid which could be a hazard for the user.
There however is an extremely effective DIY solution to this issue of glue and resin and it is also considerably safe. Everyone has heard of and probably owns a canister of WD40, a solution which is used as a degreaser and surface rust removal. WD40 is also effective at dissolving glue and resin, therefore it is perfect for the job.
The process involving WD40 is quite simple. Start by spraying a generous amount of WD40 over the affected area and leaving it overnight. Once it has been allowed enough time to take effect, wipe off as much of the WD40 off using a dry cloth and you will notice the residual glue and resin wll come off instantly, leaving absolutely nothing behind.
To complete the process of cleaning, soap up the window with a water and wipe down with a squeegee which will help remove the leftover WD40 from the window glass and since WD40 is basically an oily substance it can leave behind a cloudy surface unless cleaned. WD40 is also known to breach deeper layers of hardened mineral deposits so it proves to be an effective cleaner for both amateurs and professionals.
The Result
WD40 will have removed any depth of glue and resin off windows since its chemicals dissolve glue and make them lose their sticky properties. WD40 can also help you clean hard calcification or mineral deposits effectively. WD40 is an oil so it leaves behind a cloudy surface and must be cleaned. WD40 is an overall effective cleaner for deep reach purposes and has proven its worth.
6. Liquid Detergent and Water for Pro Streak-Free Window Cleaning
Cleaning windows can be a chore sometimes when it comes to getting rid of streaks. Often times you’ve just sprayed your house with insecticide and it’s gotten on the windows, making quite a horrible mark. It could even be from inefficient cleaning techniques, which has left residual streaks of soap on the windows, now dried into a white streak. Getting rid of these isn’t exactly difficult and there are tons of solutions that are offered to attain streak free cleaning. One of which is the use of simple water and liquid detergent mixture followed with wiping the mixture off the window glass using the proper technique.
It is as easy has mixing equal parts of liquid detergent and water with a little bit of added vinegar for that extra cleaning efficiency.
Simply apply on the windows using a microfiber towel and clean up the streaks wherever they may be. Once the window has been cleaned, it is up to you to finish that cleaning with a proper method, using a squeegee carefully to remove the layer of water from the windows. Always have a downward angular wipe and make sure to level when you reach the end of your wipe so that you don’t leave any streaks of soap behind. Clean off the blades between wipes to ensure a cleaner wipe. Make sure to wipe off excess water from the window frame since that can cause dripping and thus streaks.
The Result
With thorough washing with the liquid detergent and water mixture you may get rid of almost any surface level streaks with ease. Combine this with the proper wiping techniques and leave your window crystal clear. In case of streaks caused by paint or glue other stronger liquids such as WD40 or industrial paint stripper may be used but in the usual case the aforementioned mixture can help as required.
7. Clean Window Sills and Window Tracks
Window sills or tracks are probably the most neglected area to get cleaning done on since they’re usually hidden away under the windows.
Over time, the unreachable spot gathers a huge amount of debris and dirt which solidify over time, forming a layer which will need focused cleaning. Since window tracks are narrow hard to reach areas, cleaning it out makes for a hectic task altogether. The procedure seems to require some special tools and solutions to get the job done perfectly. Sometimes it even requires the professionals to come and clean it up. Here we will explain and direct you on how you can get your window tracks cleaned at home with some simple easy steps.
The whole process could be considered a DIY solution since it needs things you usually have lying around. You will need white vinegar and baking soda primarily. The abrasive nature of baking soda combined with the mildly corrosive properties of white vinegar, your window tracks will be left squeaky clean. You will also need a toothbrush for precision scrubbing and a paper towel to soak up the residual mixture that’s left after cleaning. If you have a wet vacuum cleaner, the process of draining your window tracks will be made much easier.
To start off, clean off excess debris using a vacuum cleaner before proceeding. Once it’s cleaned, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda all over your window tracks and sill and make sure you’ve covered all areas.
Once the baking soda is in place, pour in a good amount of white vinegar. Block out any drainage points before pouring in the vinegar since we want this to sit for a while. You will notice the foaming and bubbling when pouring in.
After letting it sit for a while, use the toothbrush to scrub the debris off with precision. You will notice the mixture turning black with debris coming off loose. After having scrubbed the layer of gunk and debris off you will need to use your wet vacuum to suck out the water, or you could slowly soak the water out using paper towels. Once the water has been taken out, wipe the sill and tracks with a fresh paper towel to complete the cleaning.
The Result Vinegar and baking soda will take care of the situation with utmost efficiency and you wouldn’t need any special cleaning solution bought from a store. This solution is enough to loosen the hardened layers and polish the surface at the same time while getting rid of excess dirt and dust from the corners. The brushing will increase the efficiency of cleaning with precision strokes and once the water is drained, the results will put a smile on your face.
8. Use Sponge & Microfiber Cloth to clean windows
If you’re looking for a simple and easy way to clean and maintain your windows everyday without having to spend more than 5 minutes on them, the best solution offered is using a sponge and a microfiber cloth.
It is that simple, but as always, there is a set procedure involved which itself is simple. If you’re cleaning your windows everyday on a regular basis, there won’t be the need to use stronger soaps and solutions since frequent cleaning stops the build up of calcification or the hardening of dust and dirt on the windows.
However it is advisable to use a bit of liquid detergent. The sponge works as an excellent washing tool since it is mildly abrasive but soft enough to not leave scratches and there is very little chance of damaging your windows with a soft sponge. Microfiber cloths are usually used to dry up windows as their properties suggest soaking up even the tiniest droplets of water from any surface with ease. Combine the three together to get yourself a quick easy clean.
The process is as simple as what is required for this cleaning task. First make your mixture with equal parts of liquid detergent and water. You can make a stronger solution with white vinegar and baking soda too if your window needs a more deep level of cleaning.
Use the sponge to soak in the mixture and apply on the surface of the window. Wipe the window properly with the sponge as it will also help remove the accumulated dirt and dust. After thorough cleaning, wipe the window with the microfiber cloth, making it as dry as possible. That’s the entire simple process which you could repeat on almost every window in your house and be done in mere minutes.
The Result
Cleaning on a regular basis will keep your windows from forming layers of calcification, which over time makes your windows hazy and dull. This simple procedure gets rid of loose dirt and dust on the screen while also loosening any calcification which might be underway. The use of the sponge will make sure to clean out almost every bit of dirt and the microfiber cloth will leave your window without streaks or spots for the perfect easy finish.
9. Latest Window Cleaning Technique With Window Cleaning Robot
Automated window cleaning has made a breakthrough to bring us the ease of window cleaning without having to do anything. Window cleaning robots have made the whole process much easier with this new innovation. The idea that you can simply attached an automated machine and it just does the work for you sounds great. It is designed for hard to reach places which could be way up high or in places where humans can’t usually reach.
The robots come with a cleaning surface which will attach itself automatically to windows using vacuum suction and there is absolutely no fear of it falling off since they come with backup batteries which will keep the suction on even when the power goes out until you rescue it of course.
Rollers on the surface guide the robot to clean the entire length of the window. The microfiber pads on the surface rotate accordingly and clean your windows to the fullest. It also comes with a safety rope or lanyard attachment which provides extra safety. The robot also comes with a standard remote for extended controls and a manual mode. Just leave the robot on the surface of the window and watch it clean the window without any human supervision. Sometimes the robot might not give you the desired result or it may miss a spot in which case you can use the remote controls to manually work that area. The robots are fitted with special sensors that can ascertain the length of the windows so they know when to stop.
The Result
Automated window cleaning with robots is an easy solution but it has its limitations. It does clean the windows however it may not be as effective for deep cleaning, especially for glue, chem streaks, or mineral calcification. It is advisable to let the robot clean a few times to get the desired result but there is also the manual mode which will give you ease of access in guiding the robot to all the missed spots.
10. Outdoor Window Cleaning –Professional Ways
Window cleaning takes an extra step on the difficulty level when its outdoors. What that means is, cleaning your windows from the outside. The exterior of the window is the main surface which is usually subjected to the harsh elements of nature such as dust, wind and water. The exteriors also include the windows on top floors which can be a little tough to reach.
Outdoor cleaning is basically the main part of window cleaning since it is the part which accumulates the most dust and dirt. This process usually needs professional methods to tackle effectively and involves the use of professional tools. The professional tools required for this procedure include a squeegee, washer, extension pole, a cleaning bucket and a professional window cleaning solution or mixture.
To begin with mix the window cleaning solution with the water in your bucket and make sure to get enough of it in there. Connect the washer to the telescopic cleaning pole and soak it with the mixture. Thoroughly wipe the window with the microfiber washer carefully and cover every inch of it with precision. Finish off by using the squeegee attached to the pole to wipe off the solution off the windows with downward angular precision to negate streaks. Wipe the window twice for better results.
The Result
Outdoor professional cleaning is a level above normal cleaning and since it involves the use of industrial and professional window cleaning chemicals, it gives the best results. Whether it is paint, glue or just calcification, professional tools always tackle them effectively. Outdoor cleaning needs to have the best results since it has been devised by professionals to get the job done in the best way possible.
Conclusion:
As it is quite evident, window cleaning is a major issue, and not only are there countless methods to clean windows, but each has its own depth of reach and results. The ten best window cleaning methods have been listening to here amongst the countless others out there in order to benefit the ones who do not wish to call for professional help and would like to handle the task on their own. The methods to clean windows are all quite simple and require a very short amount of time and with frequent cleaning, the best results can be achieved.
