How to wash windows without streaks: recommendations, choice of products and tools for cleaning windows

How to wash windows without streaks is a question that interests all housewives. Dusty, dirty glass can ruin the impression of any room interior. Street and home dust, snow and rain leave untidy streaks and stains, which can be dealt with in several ways.

Clean windows are not so difficult to do, the main thing is to know how to do it right

Window cleaning tool

How to wash plastic or wooden windows is up to each housewife to decide for herself. It is advisable to carry out the work by first preparing the necessary tools.

It is recommended to wear rubber gloves for cleaning, including washing windows.

Rag, napkin, shaving and more

You can wash windows with rags, napkins or a special tool. The main requirement is a lint-free surface. The following materials are suitable:

• linen;
• microfiber;
• cotton;
• spandex, etc.

You can also use sponges. Convenient are those that have 2 sides made of different materials: soft on one side and hard on the other.

A squeegee is a convenient device, especially for washing inconvenient places. A special mop with a long handle will help remove excess moisture from the windows. This device is especially convenient when washing large windows. You need to work with this tool carefully, moving it mainly horizontally, starting from the top of the glass. For severe dirt, you may need a scraper with a rubber attachment.

The telescopic handle will help you wash even large window openings

It is recommended to wash those areas of glass that cannot be reached by hand using brushes with a telescopic handle. This allows you to wash even the doors that do not open.

The following can be used for polishing glass:

• napkins;
• paper towels;
• newspapers.

Advice! To remove stickers on glass, factory film and paint stains from the outside, it is convenient to use a special scraper with a blade.

Magnetic brushes

One of the innovative solutions is the use of magnetic brushes. They allow you to clean much faster, since 2 planes are processed simultaneously.

Externally, it is a fairly simple design, which consists of 2 brushes that are held under the influence of a built-in magnet. This device also has a drawback - the corners are not washed well enough; they will have to be washed separately.

Magnetic brushes

Advice! When purchasing such a device, it is important to make sure that the magnet power declared by the manufacturer is really enough to wash a window with three or two panes of glass in a double-glazed unit.

Windshield wiper Karcher

Windshield wiper designs may vary depending on the specific model. The device includes a comfortable handle, nozzles, and a water tank. Working with a glass cleaner, you can clean the window efficiently and quickly. The disadvantage of this method is the fairly high price of the device.

Common Mistakes

Wrong actions can damage the glass.
The desire to quickly put the house in order often causes the appearance of drips and microcracks on the glass. To avoid mistakes, you should listen to these tips:

1. Don’t rush and try to clean the stains with metal brushes or abrasive pastes. Coarse grains of cleaners and hard sponges damage surfaces.
2. Before making a detergent, it is worth finding out how the ingredients combine with each other. Substances can enhance, reduce or neutralize the effects of other components. During the reaction, compounds are sometimes formed that corrode wood, plastic, and rubber seals.
3. Do not pour liquids “on the eye”. When mixing the components, take into account the dosage: excess soap leaves traces that are difficult to wash off.

To ensure that there are no streaks left on the glass, the moisture is blotted with a rag or crumpled paper.

Detergents should be rinsed off thoroughly

Household chemicals for cleaning windows

Manufacturers of household chemicals offer a wide range of special preparations. They are conveniently packaged, equipped with sprayers and give a good effect.

The most popular means include:

• Mister Muscle;
• Clin:
• Cif;
• Sanita;
• Help and others.

Household chemicals for cleaning glass are easy to use and give good results.
These preparations are intended directly for washing glass. They are well distributed over a vertical surface and do not leave drips or streaks when wiped with a napkin.

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in installing windows and doors.

Polish the glass until it shines

Apply glass cleaner to a reusable cloth and wipe the surface in a circular motion, moving from the edges to the center. Then go over the glass with a microfiber cloth to remove excess product and streaks. Repeat if you didn’t get it clean the first time.

To clean the outside of the window, use a telescopic or magnetic brush. Remember your safety. If you live high up and the window is large and cannot be opened, it would be better to seek the services of cleaning services or industrial climbers.

Folk window cleaning products

Popular home recipes that answer the question of how to clean windows are based on the use of readily available products. Requirements for folk remedies: high-quality cleansing without the use of excessive effort.

Ammonia: the most universal remedy

This product is a universal cleaning product. It can be used not only for washing glass, but also for caring for frames and window sills. It is not recommended to combine alcohol with warm water, as this may reduce the effectiveness of the product used.

Procedure for preparing window cleaner:

1. Pour 2 liters of clean water into a container.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of ammonia to the water.
3. Stir thoroughly.

For your information! Ammonia is a component that is included in many purchased household chemicals.

If the prepared solution is poured into a container with a spray bottle, it will be more convenient to work

Chalk: for shine and shine

To give the surface shine and shine, ordinary construction chalk in powder form can be used. Before use, it is diluted according to the following proportion: 1 part chalk to 3 parts water. The resulting mixture is applied using a napkin. When the composition has dried on the surface to be cleaned, pass over it with a dry cloth to remove the white chalky coating.

Vinegar: as a single product and in combination with other components

Vinegar has a good ability to effectively remove stains. There are several options for using it:

1. Dilute a few tablespoons of vinegar in water.
2. Use with other ingredients – chalk, honey.

Advice! Particularly stubborn stains can be removed even with pure, undiluted table vinegar.

After washing, the window must be wiped dry.

Using vegetables for harvesting

You can solve the question of how to wash windows simply by using potatoes or onions. And clean surfaces that have been infested with flies, perhaps wiping them with a cut of an onion. After washing off the onion juice with water, wipe everything with a dry cloth.

Raw potatoes are another product that is often used in cleaning. For high-quality cleaning, it is enough to cut the tuber in half and treat the contaminated areas with the cut side.

Procedure

By adhering to a certain order, you can clean windows efficiently and correctly without streaks:

1. Wash the window frame. Remove remaining water and foam. Wipe dry.
2. Pour clean water into the container and rinse the glass with a napkin. Use a scraper to drive the dirt down and remove. This will remove the top layer of contamination.
3. Replace dirty water.
4. Wash the surface using the selected method. First outside, then inside.
5. Rinse off with clean water. Wipe with a scraper or newspaper.
6. Wash the blinds and window sill.

Window cleaning steps

In order to wash windows quickly and efficiently, you must act sequentially:

1. Wash the frames so that clean glass is not in danger of being stained while cleaning the frames.
2. The first cleaning, which allows you to remove the main layer of dust and dirt. This can be done using, for example, a soap solution.
3. Clean wash.
4. Adding shine, eliminating unwanted stains and marks from washing.

Advice! To prevent windows from freezing, they must be treated with an aqueous salt solution. And to repel flies, treating frames with a weak aqueous solution of vinegar is suitable.

Window glass is washed after the frame

What to do if stains appear

Features of washing PVC windows

Metal-plastic windows, unlike wooden ones, are more demanding to maintain. The smooth surface of plastic and glass cannot be cleaned with abrasive agents, as this can lead to defects - scratches.

The surface of window sills is very often not smooth, but rough. Uneven texture is more difficult to clean from dirt. To do this, it is recommended to use detergents in powder form or a soap solution.

When choosing what to use for cleaning windows, unless there is an urgent need, you should avoid the following potent drugs:

• acid;
• solvent (including acetone);
• bleach.

PVC windows require careful handling of frames.
In addition to washing frames and glass, attention must also be paid to mosquito nets. They are removed for the winter, and in the warm season, when they become dirty, they are washed in the shower using a cloth. Dusty, dirty blinds can also ruin the effect of a washed window. It is also advisable to clean them in a manner suitable for them, taking into account the properties of the material and the type of construction.

Advice! Window washing can be combined with prevention - lubricating hinges, treating the seal with glycerin.

Preparation for the "general"

Before washing plastic windows at home, first of all we clean the window sill. We remove foreign objects from it. We take the flower pots to the bathroom for “bathing.” We put the curtains on which dust has accumulated into the washing machine. If there are blinds, then you also need to worry about their cleanliness. We carefully wipe them. To prevent dust accumulation, we spray with a special antistatic agent.

We pay special attention to mosquito nets. Dirt accumulates on them quite quickly, regardless of the time of year. Therefore, they need regular care. The easiest way is to treat it in the shower. The nets are installed only when completely dry.

Many owners hang foil on the windows, especially in those rooms where it is very hot and where direct sunlight constantly falls. Remove it before cleaning. Throw away or reuse. Hang after the surfaces are completely dry.

Mold may appear on wooden frames, especially on the balcony, where it is damp. Before washing, remove it with a special store-bought solution or bleach. At the same time, we clean the frames and glass from insects, cobwebs, and dust.

What you will need

The cleaning process will be faster and easier if you take care of the tools in advance. There is a basic set, without which wet cleaning cannot be carried out.

• Water container. A plastic bucket or basin will do. There is no need to fill them completely with water, as it will spill.
• Sponge. It is good to wash windows without streaks if one of its sides has a hard base. This surface is effective in removing heavily soiled areas, especially dried stains.
• Detergents. We take both store-bought and folk remedies.
• Clean rag. Non-woven, cotton fabric is best. As an alternative, we use natural suede or velvet. The main thing is that the material has high water-absorbing properties. Instead of a rag, special microfiber cloths are suitable.
• Wiper. The stores offer a wide selection of such devices, differing in cost, material of manufacture, and functions. If the windows are high or you work on upper floors, then it is better to choose a model where the handle extends. There are products with a sponge on one side and a screed on the other.
• Scraper. It should be used only in extreme cases and very carefully so as not to spoil the coating. Suitable for removing heavily soiled areas.

As for additional tools, this category includes various equipment that may be in the house.

• Steam generator. It not only removes dirt, but also disinfects the surface and helps maintain a favorable microclimate in the room. Universal equipment can be equipped with attachments for treating hard-to-reach areas.
• Washing vacuum cleaner. Used in external and internal works. It functions in such a way that dirty drips do not fall on the windowsill or floor.
• Magnetic brush. It is easy to use. Glass is treated with a solution of soap. The brush is fixed in one of the corners of the structure, then it needs to be moved evenly to the other corner. After removing it, wipe the glass with a dry cloth.

Don't forget about safety equipment. Before you wash the windows without streaks, we select suitable clothes that you don’t mind ruining. Be sure to wear gloves to avoid the negative effects of cleaning products.

How to clean windows after renovation work

In cases where during the repair process construction materials got on the glass, the question arises: how and with what to wash the windows? If renovation work is just being planned, the best way to prepare the windows is to cover them with paper. Otherwise, you will have to wash the surface.

Cleaning glass after repair can be very difficult - and you will need a separate product to remove each type of stain.

Ways to solve the problem depend on what exactly the glass is stained with:

It is advisable to use solvents with open windows and good ventilation of the room.

It's better not to wash

Preventing contamination

To make scale, plaque, fingerprints and other contaminants much less likely to appear on your windows, you can use:

1. Glycerol. It is mixed with water in equal proportions and sprayed onto the glass. After drying, a “film” is formed to which dust does not stick.
2. Ammonia. They also pour it into water and spray it on the glass. The layer retains shine and repels grease particles, which is useful for the kitchen.
3. Washing in cloudy weather. The sun's rays cause the moisture on the windows to dry out much faster, which is why those stains appear. And when there is no sun, you can easily wipe the glass.
4. Sprays for auto glass. In extreme cases, this remedy will do. Sprays from the brands RainBrella, K2, Helpix, Shell and others protect glass from dirt and fogging. Inside the apartment this will only be needed during renovations, but outside, especially in winter, it won’t hurt.

And during repairs (it would be good - and general cleaning) it is worth gluing a protective film to the glass. It is easily removed and leaves no marks, and is sold in industrial stores and on the Internet.