subject: Window Cleaning For People Who Hate Cleaning Windows [print this page] Home window cleaning "remedies" abound, but few really work. That's partly because homeowners seldom purchase supplies that professional window cleaners use. Here's what you need: A soft broom and brush, three clean lintless cloths, a natural sponge, 2-gallon bucket, liquid dish detergent, window-quality wide squeegees (or 4-inch wide for French windows), a long handle with pivoting head, finest grade (0000) steel wool, and old bath towels to protect your floors. Ready?
Sweep and brush away all loose dust and cobwebs, especially in corners.
Wipe frames with damp cloth #1.
Squirt a very small amount of detergent in one gallon of water in the wide bucket. Avoid creating suds.
Wash a window with the natural sponge.
With dry towel #2, dry about 2-3 inches quickly across the top and left edges of the glass (right edge if you're left-handed.)
Place the squeegee blade in a dry top corner with left (or right) end in dried edge strip.
Quickly and firmly draw the squeegee straight down the wet glass to the bottom. Dry squeegee with towel.
Place squeegee at top with left or right edge overlapping dried first area. Swipe down without losing contact and repeat for the width of the window.
Dry bottom sill with dry cloth #3.
Use dry steel wool to remove any remaining spots or marks.
For paint or tape you'll need a wide single-edge razor in a handle. Keeping glass wet, work away from yourself. Never use a razor on the tempered glass of French panes or sliding doors.
Always starting with a dry top and one edge, another professional window cleaners' technique is a continuous S-motion instead of the down swipe, never losing contact with the entire pane of wet glass.
Congratulations! You've mastered home window cleaning now enjoy those sparkling windows.
