Mistake #1 is Cleaning your windows on a sunny day.
“If you undertake this work in the hot sun, the cleaner will dry on the hot windows before you get a chance to wipe it off, producing difficult-to-remove streaks,” Performance Pros warn. Start on the shaded side of the house if the weather isn’t cooperating.
Spraying cleaner on top of dirt and dust is mistake #2.
Sweep debris from the window frame with a brush before starting, or suction it up with a handheld vacuum or your machine’s dust attachment. When dirt is mixed with a cleaner, it will not turn into a muddy mess. If your window screen is particularly filthy, remove it and wash it in hot, sudsy water with a soft brush, then rinse and allow to air dry.
Mistake #3: Using too little window cleaner.
Don’t be stingy with the spray, especially if your windows are really filthy. You’ll see streaks if you don’t use enough cleanser to dissolve and suspend the dirt so it can be totally washed away. Invisible Glass Cleaner is what Performance Window Cleaning suggests. The thin mist from the bottle stays where you spray it until you wipe it clean, so there are less drips and messes.
Mistake #4: Drying your windows with an old cotton rag.
Some people prefer to dry their windows with newspaper, although reusable microfiber cloths are preferable. They’re incredibly absorbent, washable, and leave the glass gleaming and streak-free. Try Microfiber Glass Cloths, which have a particular honeycomb pattern that picks up water marks, smudges, and debris without harming mirrors and glass. If you want to use paper towels, make sure they’re up to the job. Paper towels that aren’t strong enough can shred and leave lint behind. Bounty Regular fared the best in our most recent test of the best paper towels on the market while wet.
Mistake #5: Using a squeegee to clean.
“Professional window cleaners swear by them, but you have to know how to use them properly. Where does the water go when you squeegee it down? On the ground. Performance Window Cleaning dislikes using squeegees on small panes because of the possibility for a mess and drips, but they can be useful on larger, picture windows.
Cleaning all of your windows in one day is mistake #6.
Cleaning your windows only needs to be done once or twice a year, according to Forte, but it’s even easier if you divide the chore and tackle it room by room. Wipe one side of the window horizontally and the other vertically while cleaning. If streaks do appear, you’ll be able to tell if they’re on the outside or inside.