DIY Window Cleaner: Simple Window Cleaning Solution
You do not have to despair when it comes to cleaning your windows. The process is quick and straightforward if you have the correct tools, a DIY window cleaner, and these tried-and-true recommendations. And the result—a warm stream of morning sunlight flooding into your bedroom—is well worth the effort.
A homemade window cleaner is a less expensive and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical window cleaners. Learn how to prepare these simple DIY window cleaner solutions to keep your windows sparkling.
Follow our expert advice to consistently achieve the greatest outcomes.
Window cleaning tips
Use a cleaning spray and a towel to refresh mildly filthy windows, such as those with the occasional smudge or smear. If you haven’t cleaned your windows in months, get a squeegee out and give them a thorough cleaning.
Here’s what you’ll need to obtain a professional touch on your window cleaning:
- Cobwebs and dust can be removed with a large dry brush or broom handle.
- Bucket
- Sponge
- Squeegee
- Vinegar or specially formulated window cleaning solutions
- Newspaper or brown paper
- Cloth made of microfiber
- Lint-free cloth or drying pad
- Before cleaning, take down the curtains and blinds.
Remove the curtains and blinds first. If possible, use this time to give your curtains a thorough wash or a spritz of fabric freshener like Febreze. Sweep any dust or cobwebs from around the corners of the windows and the windowsills with a dry brush or dusting attachment on your vacuum.
- Make your cleaning products.
Add two tablespoons of vinegar to a small pail of warm water if you like to make your cleaning solutions (this will not kill bacteria, though). If your windows are in desperate need of some TLC, use two tablespoons of household ammonia while wearing rubber gloves.
Cleaning windows with white vinegar is recommended. You don’t need much when you spray it; it will scent for around 15 minutes before disappearing.
You can also use soapy water to clean your windows. Fill a bucket halfway with warm water and a simple solution of washing-up liquid, but don’t make too many soap suds because they’ll leave more marks if they dry. Begin by cleaning the windows with a non-abrasive sponge.
The odd teabag cleaning technique, which has been posted on cleaning group forums, is one to try. Cold tea, it seems, is the key to dazzling, streak-free windows and glass. Use a kitchen towel dipped in a mug of cold black tea to attempt the teabag cleaning tip at home. Using a clean soft cloth, wipe the tea over the surface and buff dry.
- Begin with the frames.
To avoid dripping dirty water on clean glass, begin with the frames first. A moist sponge should suffice, but if they’re particularly filthy, a light detergent for wood or a professional cleaner for uPVC should suffice.
- When cleaning the windows, make an S-shaped motion.
By sponging the glass panes with warm soapy water, you can clean them. Dip a sponge or the foam section of a squeegee into the water, squeeze out the excess, and rub the glass gently. Work in an S-shape to clean the window completely. Work in the shape of an S with your microfibre cloth to get into every crevice and prevent streaks.
From atop corner, snake the squeegee’s rubber strip down the glass in a reverse ‘S’ pattern. Wipe it clean of suds, water, and grime with a lint-free cloth after each stroke. Stubborn marks may need to be rubbed off using a sponge.
- To avoid streaks, wipe away any surplus cleanser.
For a streak-free finish, use a squeegee. Work in an S-shape as well. To avoid smearing dirt around the squeegee blade, wipe it with a clean rag regularly. Using a damp chamois or microfibre cloth, wipe away any remaining water and dry the windowsill.
Avoid using lint-generating paper towels or cloths on the glass. To avoid reaching out of top-floor windows, invest in a gadget with a U-shaped pole.
Use scrunched-up newspaper to wipe the glass clean, a trick learned from years of working in a hair salon with plenty of mirrors. A gleaming sheen can be achieved by buffing windows with crumpled newspaper. Any remaining cleaning fluid is absorbed by the paper, leaving the surface streak-free. To remove filth, rub in a circular pattern, then use a vertical, then horizontal, stroke until the liquid is gone.
- Window edging should be cleaned.
Using an absorbent towel, wipe away any extra water or suds from the edges and windowsill. Do the same thing on the inside of your windows.
After washing with soapy water, most window edges will be sparkling. If you have white PVC, clean it with a cream-based cleanser or a whitening agent to keep it looking new. You could use white toothpaste. Allow it to do its job and the frame will whiten.
- Make sure the timing is correct.
You might believe that cleaning windows on a sunny day is the best time to do so because the light makes streaks easier to see. In actuality, an overcast day is the greatest option. The sun will reflect off the glass, making it difficult to see how clean it is. It could also cause the cleaning solution to dry before you can wipe it away, producing ugly traces.
Wash your windows every two to three months to reduce the amount of work you have to do each time you clean them – less buildup means easier cleaning.
With sparkling clean windows, you can bring the light back into your home.
There are a variety of methods for restoring the shine to your window panes, ranging from developing your window cleaning solution to the tried-and-true newspaper approach.
Clean windows can transform your spaces, making them light, bright, and healthy for the soul. Clean windows inside and out provide a better sight, a better view out, and a pleasant first impression for those passing by.
