How to clean windows - expert-approved tips for a streak-free finish inside and out

Everyone loves sparkling clean windows, right? And while you could shell out your hard-earned money for a professional window cleaner, why would you do that when you could learn how to clean windows yourself?

Yes, nothing will ruin the effect of your beautiful window treatment ideas quite like smeared, smudged glass - but dirty windows are pretty common. All it takes is one child with sticky fingers or a confused bird flying into your window to ruin the aesthetic and the view out of your house. And that’s why experts advise cleaning your windows at least once a month.

To help you save money and do it yourself, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to cleaning windows - from cleaning your windows outside to cleaning your windowsills and panes to the best window cleaning tools. So, say goodbye to your dirty windows…

What you'll need

• Large dry brush or broom handle for removing cobwebs and dust - like this Extendable Cobweb Duster from Lakeland.
• Bucket - like this Window Blue & Grey 10L Bucket from B&Q.
• Sponge - like this Sakura Jumbo Sponge from Amazon.
• Squeegee - like this MR.SIGA Multi-Purpose Squeegee from Amazon.
• Purpose made window cleaning solutions or vinegar - like this Miniml White Vinegar 750ml from Lakeland.
• Microfibre cloth - like this Sorbo Pack of 4 Microfibre Cloths from Dunelm.
• Brown paper or newspaper

Step-by-step

1. Get the timing right

No matter whether you’re cleaning the inside or out, you need to get the timing right when you clean your windows.

And while you might think that washing windows on a sunny day is ideal, this isn’t the case. In reality, it’s best to aim for a cloudy day as sunshine will create glare on the glass, making it harder to see how clean they are.

It could also dry the cleaning solution before you can wipe it off, leaving unsightly streaks and smears on your windows. So, opting for a mild, cloudy day will yield better results.

2. Remove curtains and blinds

When you’ve chosen the best day to clean your windows, you should then prep the area by removing all curtains and blinds. Coincidentally, this could also be a great time to clean your curtains or clean your Venetian blinds.

If you can’t remove your curtains, aim to pull them as far away from the frames and panes of your windows so they don’t get caught in the crossfire. If you can’t remove your blinds, ensure they’re pulled up as high as possible and consider using natural window-cleaning methods so you don’t damage them.

When you’ve done this, you should then grab a dry brush or dusting attachment on your vacuum cleaner to sweep away any dust or cobwebs from around the corners of the windows and the windowsills.

In fact, the vacuum windows cleaning hack is now considered an essential step for the Ideal Home team when we’re cleaning our windows.

3. Choose your cleaning product

There are so many products out there that will help you clean your windows. In fact, our Digital Deputy Editor Rebecca Knight swears by the Deft Advanced Window & Glass Cleaner from Lakeland as one of the best cleaning products for a sparkling finish.

And while it’s not hard to pick up a window-cleaning product during your weekly supermarket shop, you can also make your cleaning solution using cupboard essentials you may already have at your disposal.

Laura Harnett, founder of Seep suggests cleaning with vinegar. She says, ‘White Vinegar is a fantastic natural option for cleaning your windows. Unlike chemical sprays, it doesn't fill your home with fumes or pollute the environment.’

However, it’s important to note that you shouldn’t use straight vinegar to clean windows. Andy Ellis from Posh.co.uk warns, ‘Straight vinegar is very acidic, and using it alone to clean windows can damage the outer window frame.’

So, it’s best to create a solution of white vinegar and warm water to clean your windows without damaging them in the process.

You can also wash your windows with soapy water. All you have to do is fill a bucket with a simple solution of washing-up liquid and warm water. Avoid creating too many soap suds, as these will leave further marks if allowed to dry. Then, you can start washing windows using a non-abrasive sponge.

Laura also recommends being careful with the water you use when cleaning and opting for purified water if possible. 'So many people use a damp cloth and water to clean windows, but most tap water contains minerals like calcium and sodium, which will leave ugly marks on your window,' she explains.

'If you need to use water to tackle a particularly dirty window make sure it's purified so your windows are left streak-free.’

And if you’re looking to try something new, you could also try cleaning with a tea bag. Apparently, cold tea is the secret to gleaming, streak-free windows and glass. To try the teabag cleaning hack at home, use kitchen towel dipped into a mug of cold black tea. Wipe the tea over the surface and buff dry with a clean soft cloth.

However, this will take a long time if you have multiple windows to clean, so it’s probably best to opt for vinegar or soapy water instead.

4. Start with the frames

If you want a streak-free finish, it’s always best to start with the frames so you don't drip dirty water on clean panes. A wipe with a wet sponge should do the trick, but if they're very grubby, use mild detergent on wood or specialist cleaner on uPVC.

'Wash your frames with plenty of clean, warm soapy water (washing up liquid is suitable) and wipe dry with a clean, soft cloth,' recommends Rachael Munby from Anglian Home Improvements. She adds that you will have to take care depending on the type of windows you have.

'Be careful when cleaning uPVC products with decorative finishes such as Dark Woodgrain, Golden Oak, White Foil, Anthracite Grey, and Dual products as they could cause damage to decorative surface.'

You should also make sure that your cloth or sponge isn’t too wet, as saturating the frames with too much water could result in mould build-up.

5. Use an S-shape motion on the panes

When you’ve cleaned the window frames, you can then move onto the panes themselves. There’s a technique to cleaning window panes, though - especially if you want to avoid streaks.

Start by sponging the panes down with warm soapy water. Then, dip a sponge or the foam part of a squeegee into the water, squeeze out the excess, then rub gently on the glass.

To clean the window thoroughly, Cleaning expert Lynsey Crombie AKA Lynsey Queen of Clean advises, 'With your microfibre cloth work in the shape of an S so you will get into every bit and that will stop the smears.'

6. Wipe off excess

If you were to finish cleaning your windows there, there’s a high chance that you’d be greeted with smudges and marks when they eventually dry. Because of this, you should wipe off any excess cleansing solution or water during this next step.

You can use a squeegee to do this, continuing to use the S-shape motion, or you can remove the remaining water with a damp chamois or microfibre cloth.

When doing this, avoid using paper towels or cloths that might leave lint on the glass. For exterior upper-floor panes, it’s worth investing in a gadget with a U-shaped pole to avoid reaching out of top-floor windows!

For an extra step, you could also buff your windows with crumpled newspaper to create a sparkling finish. The paper helps to absorb any leftover cleaning fluid, leaving the surface streak-free.

Rub in a circular pattern to wipe off dirt, then switch to a vertical stroke and finish with horizontal strokes until the liquid has disappeared.

7. Clean and dry windowsills

Finish by wiping off excess water or suds from the edges and windowsill using an absorbent cloth. Repeat the process on the inside of your windows to ensure an even clean both inside and out.

Most window edges will be left gleaming after washing with soapy water. However, if you have white PVC, Lynsey recommends using a cream-based cleaner or a whitening product to keep them looking new.

'You could use white toothpaste. Leave it to do its work, and that will whiten the frame,' advises Lynsey.

FAQs

What is the best thing to clean a window?

There are loads of gadgets out there to help you cleaning windows easily. For example cleaning sensation Mrs Hinch swears by the Vileda Windomatic, available on Amazon, a window vacuum cleaner which acts like a supped up squidgee to ensure a streak-free finish. However, while gadgets like this are effective, at £70 they are also expensive.

According to the experts you can still achieve effective results on a budget with soapy water, a squidgee and clean microfibre cloth.

'There are lots of options when it comes to cleaning your windows,' says Dean Williams, Window Expert at MD Windows. 'If you’re looking for an at-home remedy, I’d recommend the simple, old fashioned way of using warm soapy water.'

'Ensure you’re using a squeegee so you can remove the streaks straight after giving the glass a clean. White wine vinegar is another at-home remedy, or you can simply buy a glass cleaner product to use if you need a quick fix.'

How do you remove stubborn marks on windows?

If you're struggling to get your windows clean using soapy water or a window cleaner, Leo Pyrah at Pilkington UK recommends trying something a bit stronger. 'Use a mild acid (e.g. vinegar) or a mild solvent (e.g. methylated spirit), taking care not to spill any of these on other surfaces of materials.'

However, never use and abrasive or harsh cleaning agent like bleach advises Rachael Munby from Anglian Home Improvements, as they can cause lasting damage to the window itself.

What do professional window cleaners use in their water?

You might assume that professional window cleaners use professional cleaners and products to clean windows, but that’s not the case. In fact, most professional window cleaners use a mixture of purified water (e.g. filtered water without the same minerals as tap water) with some kind of soap or detergent.

However, some cleaners don’t use soap at all. They simply use water combined with their brushes and cleaning tools. This just goes to show that you don’t need any fancy products for a streak-free finish.

So, now you know how to clean windows, it's time to get to work...