How to Wash Your Windows Like a Pro

Temperatures are rising, and spring cleaning is on the horizon. Washing windows can seem daunting, but it makes all the difference in making your home look and feel truly clean – and maximizing the amount of spring sunlight that streams into your home!

To wash your windows like a professional, here’s what you’ll need:

• Bucket
• Soap
• Sponge 
• Squeegee
• Glass-rated steel wool (optional)
• Soft bristle brush
• Microfiber cloth

Step 1: Create Your Washing Solution

No need to buy anything special to get your windows sparkling! All you need is water mixed with dish soap or laundry detergent. The golden ratio is 1 tablespoon of soap for every 1 cup of warm water in your solution. Combine in your bucket and mix thoroughly until a light film of suds forms on the surface.

Step 2: Clean Your Screens

You’ll want to clean your screens before you start on your windows so they have time to dry. There are a few essential steps to making this process go as smoothly as possible:

Stay Organized

If you have different-sized and shaped windows, be sure to keep them sorted. We suggest labeling them on the outer edge (that can’t be seen when the screen is in the window) or temporarily labeling them with tape.

Dust 

Screens catch a lot of dust and pollen in the air. It’s important to brush that off before going in with your solution to reduce mud development. Then, using your soft bristle brush, swipe any dust from the screen surface and around the frame. We suggest wearing a mask and eye protection while you do this!

Wash

Lightly swipe your washing-solution-soaked sponge across the surface and around the screen’s frame. Next, rinse the sponge in clean water and wring it dry, then use it to swipe away any lingering bubbles in the screen or rinse the screen with a hose.

Dry

Take advantage of a sunny day and lay the screens to dry in the sun, or use your microfiber cloth to wipe them dry.

Step 3: Prep Your Windows

Like the screens, your windows will have gathered a lot of grime over time. Use your soft bristle brush to remove loose dirt, cobwebs, and pollen from the window surface. 

Open the window and brush out the grime that has collected inside the window frame. Use your sponge and washing solution to clean the inside of the window frame and wipe it dry with a microfiber cloth.

Step 4: Start Washing

Using your washing-solution-soaked sponge, suds up the glass in circular motions. Use the sponge to scrub at any tough spots. If the grime doesn’t budge with just the sponge, use your glass-rated or super fine steel wool to gently scrub the spot until it comes clean. 

NOTE: Your run-of-the-mill steel wool will scratch your glass! Only use glass-rated steel wool, as its fine texture will remove the spot while naturally polishing and restoring the shine of the glass.

Step 5: Squeegee

Arguably the most satisfying part of this process: use your squeegee to clear the washing solution from the glass. Start at the top of the window and work your way down to the bottom. For beginners, it’s best to do this in long vertical strips from top to bottom. If you’re more comfortable with the squeegee, try the fanning method for a streak-free finish. 

Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away any washing solution at the bottom of the window to prevent drip marks on the side of your home.

Step 6: Put Your Screens Back in Place

Collect your screens from drying in the sun and place them back in the windows.

Window washing is a great way to kick off your spring cleaning and motivate you to tackle everything else on your to-do list! But before moving on to the next task, reward yourself for your hard work: kick back, relax, and bask in the spring sunshine gleaming through your sparkling windows!