The Best Way to Clean Windows Without Streaks

Few household jobs are as satisfying as a sparkling window, and few are as frustrating as a pane that looks worse after you have cleaned it. Streaks usually come from three things: too much cleaning solution, dirty tools, and glass that dries before you can wipe it. Fix those and the rest is technique.

Pick the right moment

It sounds odd, but sunshine is the enemy of clear glass. Direct sun dries the solution on the pane before you can remove it, leaving marks behind. An overcast day, early morning or the shaded side of the house is ideal. Avoid freezing weather for outside panes, and skip windy days if you are working on a ladder.

What you will need

• A bucket of warm water
• A few drops of washing-up liquid, or a homemade or shop-bought glass cleaner
• A sponge or strip applicator
• A squeegee with a clean, sharp rubber blade
• Several lint-free microfibre cloths
• A soft brush or dry cloth for the frames

A simple solution works for most windows: warm water with a few drops of washing-up liquid. Some people prefer water mixed with white vinegar. Either way, less is more, because too much detergent is the most common reason for a hazy finish.

Safety first: never mix vinegar or ammonia-based glass cleaners with bleach, and do not combine different shop products. Ventilate the room when spraying indoors, and store cleaners out of reach of children.

The squeegee method, step by step

1. Dust the frame first. Brush away cobwebs and grit from frame and sill so they do not end up as muddy runs on the glass.
2. Wet the glass. Wash the pane generously with the sponge, working the solution into the corners.
3. Dry the top edge. Wipe a narrow strip along the top with a cloth, so the squeegee has a dry place to start.
4. Pull in one direction. Draw the squeegee across or down the pane in one smooth stroke, overlapping each pass slightly.
5. Wipe the blade every time. After each stroke, wipe the rubber with a clean cloth. A dirty blade drags grime straight back across the glass.
6. Finish the edges. Use a folded, dry microfibre cloth to catch drips along the bottom and sides.

Many people like the snake technique, which keeps the squeegee on the glass and moves in one continuous S-shape from top to bottom. It takes a little practice but leaves fewer lines than lifting and restarting.

No squeegee? Use two cloths

For small panes, mirrors and glass doors, the two-cloth method works well. Spray the cleaner lightly onto the first cloth rather than onto the glass, wipe the surface, then buff immediately with a second, completely dry cloth. Switch to fresh cloths as soon as the first ones get damp. Old newspaper used to be the classic choice for buffing, but modern inks can smudge, so microfibre is the safer bet.

Troubleshooting common problems

Working safely at height

Upper-floor windows are where most accidents happen. If you use a ladder, set it on firm, level ground, keep three points of contact and never overreach; climb down and move the ladder instead. An extension pole with a squeegee head lets you reach many windows from the ground. For tall or awkward glass, or anything you cannot reach comfortably, a professional window cleaner is worth paying for. Keep electrical tools such as pressure washers away from windows unless the maker says they are suitable, and keep cables and sockets well clear of water.

Keep the glass clearer for longer

Wipe sills and tracks regularly, trim plants that brush against the glass, and give the inside a quick buff once a month. Clean windows also make it easier to see how much sun a room is taking in. Our guide to keeping a house cool without AC explains how blinds, curtains and timing stop that sunshine from overheating a room. And if the windows are part of a bigger refresh, combine the job with a room-by-room clear-out from our decluttering guide, since glass is far easier to reach once the furniture and boxes are out of the way.