You have no idea how to clean your windows without leaving streaks? This is often a daunting task because it is difficult to get rid of these random lines. However, it is possible to get clear windows with a perfect outside view if you master a few tricks. Below are the items you need and how you should use them.
Basically willIt is recommended that you clean the windows every 2 – 3 months. Since window cleaning is less useful when temperatures are high in summer, the windows are quite dirty by the end of August. After the (hopefully) last heat wave passes, you can choose a cloudy day to clean your windows again.
Why do streaks appear when cleaning windows?
For streak-free windows, it's important that you know where to start. If done incorrectly, it is even possible that the windows will look worse than before. Now let's look at the main reasons why streaks appear in the first place:
- Sunny days:For many people, a sunny day seems like the perfect time to clean your windows, but it isn't. If the windows are exposed to the sun, the solution used to clean them will dry out right on the window before you can wipe it away. This creates streaks.
- Too much cleaner:Whether you use a store-bought glass cleaner or your own soap mixture, too much cleaning solution will result in streaky windows.
- Wrong equipment:A good cleaning agent and the right equipment ensure streak-free windows. The ink in newspaper can run and kitchen paper leaves behind lint. It is better to use a good microfiber cloth, a window squeegee or a window wiper with a squeegee and a chamois leather.
- The water is too hard:Hard water contains a large number of dissolved minerals, especially magnesium and calcium, which are not ideal for window cleaning. When you clean your windows with hard water, these minerals tend to dry on the glass and leave streaks. Distilled water, on the other hand, is the perfect type of water for cleaning mirrors and windows as it removes the minerals and leaves the windows with a streak-free shine.
Clean windows streak-free in 5 steps: This is how it works!
Step 1: Remove dirt and dust
When cleaning windows, people tend to start straight away with the cleaning products. However, this is a big mistake because the dirt that has accumulated over the last few weeks combines with the water to smear and leave unsightly stains and streaks.
To avoid this, you should first remove excess dirt, dust and cobwebs. Take a dusting brush, a feather duster, a broom or something similar and use it to brush the windows. It's best to start at the top of each window and work your way down.
Step 2: Choose cleaning products
Whether you use a special glass cleaner or a tried-and-tested household remedy, you should now prepare the cleaning agent and wash or spray the window panes with it. Then wipe them with a microfiber cloth in a circular motion.
Tips:
- To achieve a good cleaning, it is best to use cold water. Hot water evaporates too quickly and is often responsible for the ugly streaks.
- Always clean windows from top to bottom. Otherwise the dirty water will drip onto the already cleaned areas.
Step 3: Peel off the window
You don't necessarily have to dry the window with a squeegee, but it is actually the quickest and most efficient way to do it. For streak-free windows, hold the window squeegee so that the handle is at a 45 degree angle to the glass. Start at the top left of the window and work your way down from left to right and then right to left. Use a rag or cloth to wipe the squeegee dry between strokes or as needed. This helps to avoid streaks.
Step 4: Wipe with a cloth or chamois leather
Even professionals cannot completely dry the windows with just a squeegee. To avoid streaks, you must wipe the windows dry after stripping them. Dry the windows using circular motions from top to bottom.
Step 5: Don't forget to clean the windowsill and floor
When you finish cleaning the window, you will most likely find some water on the windowsill and floor. Dry these areas with a towel, as a microfiber towel gets wet and dirty too quickly.
If stains remain on the windows, wipe them with the microfiber cloth or repeat the process from the beginning.
Once you have cleaned all the windows in your home, you should also clean the outside panes. This is the only way your windows will look flawless.
Useful trick:So that you can determine which side of your windows has streaks, clean the inside pane vertically and the outside pane horizontally.
Clean windows streak-free: These home remedies are better than glass cleaner!
Vinegar
Normal household vinegar is one of the best-known home remedies for streaks on windows. Pre-cleaning with this helps with stubborn dirt and prevents streaks after cleaning. But be careful: window seals and frames should not come into contact with the vinegar! Use the home remedy only for the slices.
Rinse aid
Who the windowsClean streak-freeIf you want to, you can consider post-treatment with rinse aid. The rinse aid removes streaks without leaving any residue and also has a water and dirt repellent effect.
Spirit
To ensure that your cleaning agent does not leave streaks on the window, you can add a few drops of spirit to the cleaning water. The alcohol prevents the formation of streaks and guarantees streak-free windows.
Clean windows with newspaper – yes or no?
For many years, windows have been cleaned with crumpled newspaper and white vinegar, but the results are not always satisfactory. What many people don't know is that the ink from newspaper often runs when it gets wet, leaving streaks on the windows.Kitchen paper is another popular household item, which absorbs liquids well, but again it is not ideal for cleaning windows as it leaves lint on the glass. So it's better to use a suitable microfiber cloth to clean the windows streak-free and sustainably.
