The fastest way to wash your windows with crystal clear, streak-free results.
Window Washing Tips and Techniques
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Basic Window Washing Equipment
- 10 or 12-in. squeegee
- A scrubber or a sponge
- A bucket (a 5-gallon plastic bucket will work)
- Dish soap
- Lint-free rags or small towels
- A ladder and a ladder stabilizer (if needed)
Keep your squeegee fitted with a sharp, new rubber blade. Purchase two or three extra rubber blades to have on hand. You can get a little more mileage out of blades that aren’t nicked or sliced by simply reversing them to expose a fresh edge. When you store the squeegee, make sure nothing touches the blade.
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DIY Window Cleaning Solution
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Scrub the Glass
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Clean a Starting Strip
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Squeegee Across the Top
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Wipe the Squeegee Clean
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Work Down the Window
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Wipe Off Excess Water
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You Can Use a Squeegee Inside the House, Too!
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Changing a Squeegee Blade
- Remove the worn out blade.
- Grab the end of the blade and stretch it out to expose the metal clip.
- Slide the clip off, then slide the blade out the opposite end.
- Pro tip: Blades without clips are usually held together by a couple of screws and the clamp on the handle.
- Install the new blade.
- Slide it into the metal channel.
- Stretch it and reinstall the metal clip.
- Pro tip: If necessary, cut the end of the blade to leave 1/8 to 3/16 in. protruding from the channel.
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Tips for Hard-to-Clean Windows
Remove paint specks and labels with a razor blade mounted in a holder. Always use a new blade to avoid scratching the glass. Wet the window first and push the blade across once. Rinse the blade and repeat on the next section to avoid trapping debris under the blade that could scratch the glass. Don’t use a razor blade on tempered glass.
- Remove tree pitch or bug droppings with a fine (white) nylon scrub pad. Wet the glass first and rub in an inconspicuous area to make sure you’re not scratching the glass.
- Clean tough glass stains and built-up mineral deposits from shower doors and other glass surfaces using mild household abrasives and an ordinary power drill.
- Use this glass cleaning solution for tough spots: Add 1/2 cup of ammonia per gallon of water to help remove greasy dirt for a DIY window cleaner
- Loosen sticky residue left from labels or tape by soaking it with a specialty product like Goof Off. You’ll find Goof Off in the paint department at hardware stores and home centers. Then scrape off the residue with a razor blade.
Next, read our guide on how to clean window screens.