Streak-Free Windows

To keep windows looking beautiful they should be cleaned one or two times a year; with some minor spot removals in between the cleanings. It's discouraging that after taking time to clean your windows, and finding streaks on the windows. There are things that can be done to stop the streaks from appearing on your clean windows. Gather you window cleaning supplies and get ready to start cleaning your windows streak-free.

Supplies needed:

• Squeegee
• Scrubber
• Cleaning Rag
• Scraper
• Extension pole
• Bucket
• Window-washing solution
• Wiping material
• Sponge

Begin by cleaning any dust and bugs from the windows. Starting with the outside windows, sweep the windows, tracks and window sills with a broom. Then clean the inside windows by either sweeping or vacuuming the window frames and sills.

The wiping material is just as important as the cleaning solution is. Newspapers are great for the windows but they can leave your hands black and possibly leave ink on the windowsill. Other materials and items that work well on windows would be a squeegee, paper towels, or even a lint free cloth.

Using a window-washing cleaning solution, place the solution into the bucket Dip your cleaning rag into the bucket. Squeeze the water out of the cleaning rag or sponge and wash your window. Use the scraper to remove any paint, stubborn spots, or bug stains. Wipe away the drips that occur on the edges of the windows with a damped chamois cloth. Dry the windowsill with a rag.

If using a squeegee you will want to tilt it so that two inches of rubber touches the glass. Start the squeegee at the top of the window and draw it across the top of the window to the opposite side till you are within three inches of the end of the window. Wipe up the last three inches with a dry cloth Wipe the squeegee with a rag or sponge. Repeat the process until finished with the all of the windows. Be sure to overlap so that you don't leave any streaks. The extension pole comes in handy for those hard to reach places on windows.

When washing windows use different strokes for the inside of the window then what you use for the outside. For instance, you would use vertical strokes in the inside window and horizontal strokes on the outside window. This makes it easier to see which side the streaks are on the outside or the inside window.

Washing the windows in the early morning is the best time of day to clean because you can see if there are any streaks. If at all possible avoid washing windows on a hot or sunny day. The windows dry too fast and that will cause streaking. If you still have some streaks on your window use a clean dry blackboard eraser. Just erase the streak away.

Now that your windows are clean. Put away your cleaning materials. Now look out and enjoy the view through streak-free windows.