How to get smear-free windows?

A building’s exterior and interior are important details that make up the overall look of the property. But so do windows. The windows of a property are one of the things that are mostly frequently noticed and their condition should be maintained in every season.

Perfectly cleaned window glass always makes a good impression, brings light into your building and improves your room view. As you know regular window cleaning improves not only the curb appeal of your property but also protects it from different types of damage and increases its value.

Achieving perfect shine on your window glass is one of the things every homeowner strives for. A building with shining windows always catches the eye and makes a positive impression upon customers or guests.

How to get smear-free windows?

No matter if your property is a residential or commercial building, regular window cleaning in a proper way is important. It’s one of the key steps for maintaining any type of property into a good condition all year round.

Window glass smears are one of the most common things property owners struggle with.  Despite our cleaning efforts to remove them sometimes glass smears still stay. Fortunately, there are some useful ways to clean window smears completely in an easy way.

You don’t need special cleaning equipment or expensive window cleaning products to get rid of unsightly window smears. You just need to follow some clever tips when cleaning your windows.

How to get smear-free windows?

Glass smears are the enemy of perfect-looking windows. Fortunately there are some easy methods everyone can try at home that effectively remove smears and leave great results. The best products to use for window smears are natural and don’t damage or scratch the window glass surface.

There are some important steps to take, if you want to get rid of window glass smears in an effective and quick way.

Choosing window cleaning solution

You should first choose the right type of cleaning solution for your window glass. When choosing what type of cleaning solution will work best for your windows you have two options. You can either choose a commercial window cleaner or prepare a window cleaning solution by yourself.

White vinegar is one of the most popular and affordable products that actually have a powerful proven effect against window glass smears and achieve streak-free shine. Vinegar has high acidity that effectively cleans dirt build-up on window  glass.  But it doesn’t create any smudges and it perfectly cleans window smears.

How to get smear-free windows?

White vinegar is used in different kinds of homemade cleaning solutions. To make such a solution mix 1tbsp of white vinegar with about 2liters of water. Pour this  mixture into a clean standard size spray bottle with a capacity of 500-750 ml and mix it well before spraying it onto the target surface.

You can also use 2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice instead of vinegar, if you don’t want the unpleasant vinegar smell. Mix it with 1 liter of water also in a spray bottle.

Lemon juice is also an effective agent when it comes to window glass cleaning. It contains citric acid which is a common ingredient in most commercial window cleaning products. Citric acid is effective also for cleaning window glass and it doesn’t create smears.

When preparing a vinegar cleaning solution  the most effective vinegar to water ratio is 50% water to 50% vinegar. It works against window glass dirt and it prevents the appearance of streaks. You don’t need much white vinegar to achieve streak-free results. The vinegar smell usually lasts about 15 minutes.

If you don’t have vinegar or lemon at  home, you can use soapy water instead. Mix a dishwashing liquid and a warm water and pour it into a spray bottle. Avoid making too much soap suds as they can lead to the appearance of streaks when allowed to dry.

How to get smear-free windows?

Choosing window cleaning supplies and tools

After that you need to decide what cleaning cloths and supplies you need.

  • Bucket,
  • distilled water,
  • squeegee,
  • empty spray bottle,
  • bowl, sponge,
  • microfiber cloth,
  • drying pad or lint-free cloth,
  • ladder(if your windows are situated high),
  • cotton wool buds,
  • newspaper,
  • soft toothbrush.

If you want to get smear-free windows the cleaning tools you need are dry and soft multi-purpose cloths, kitchen cloths or microfiber cloths.

To  clean window glass using a microfiber cloth, dip it into the cleaning solution, then wring it out to remove the excess water and start cleaning.

Use an old toothbrush with soft bristles or cotton wool buds to clean properly the  corners of your window that are difficult for reaching with a towel.

It’s important to use cleaning towels that don’t leave lint. You can opt for old clothes instead, but you should make sure they are not leaving lint.

You can use a sponge instead of a towel to clean your windows. Make sure that it’s non-abrasive to avoid window glass damage. Avoid using paper cloths or towels as these can leave lint.

How to get smear-free windows?

Old newspapers are also a good option to get streak-free results. Using a newspaper for window cleaning is  cheaper than using microfiber towels and it’s also a safe and eco-friendly cleaning method.

Another great tool to have for the window cleaning task is a squeegee. It’s a convenient multi-purpose tool that works well in cleaning different types of window dirt and it doesn’t leave any streaks. It’s great for achieving a streak-free finish.

When you are cleaning with a squeegee, frequently wipe the blade of the squeegee on a clean cloth. This will prevent you from spreading dirt on the window glass. Use wet microfiber cloth or chamois to remove the remaining water from the window and then dry the window sill.

How to get smear-free windows?

The squeegee is easy-to-use, inexpensive and it can be found at most household stores. In fact professional cleaners also use squeegees when cleaning windows.

Steam cleaners can also do a great job when it comes to smear-free window cleaning. Most steam cleaners have a window attachment that can be applied in any type of window cleaning. The main advantage of using a steam cleaner is that it’s eco-friendly because it doesn’t use any chemical solutions.

There are different types and sizes of steam cleaners. Some steam cleaners can be rather heavy and difficult for carrying around. For this reason you need to use steam cleaners that are lightweight and small size.

A U-shaped pole is another excellent tool for reaching high-rise windows and it helps you clean properly any type of window.

How to get smear-free windows?

Tips to have smear-free windows:

To avoid getting smears when cleaning your window glass, go from top to bottom and work in a circular motion with the cloth. This will remove the large dirt particles.

Clean with vertical strokes first and then do horizontal strokes to properly clean the window glass without any streaks. Don’t forget to dip the cloth in the cleaning solution and squeeze the excess water from it.

How to get smear-free windows?

Choose a cloudy day to complete your window cleaning task as sunlight can increase the chance for streaks to appear on your windows. The sun makes the window glass dry more quickly when you clean it and as a result the smears appear more easily.

When you are cleaning your windows, work with an S-shape movement on the window glass surface. This will prevent the appearance of smears.

If you have hard-to-reach windows, then you should better trust the cleaning of your windows in the hands of professionals. Cleaning windows of high-rise buildings is a risky job and it requires safety equipment and certain cleaning skills and experience. Professional cleaning companies are equipped to provide you with an efficient, quick and safe window cleaning service. They will save you valuable time and money.

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