Professional window cleaners use a solution made from dish soap and water to achieve a streak-free clean. The key is to use a small amount of soap and distilled water. Some professionals add ammonia to the water for increased cleaning power.
Equipment and Cleaners
Window washing solution: This is very important because it removes dirt and helps reduce the number of streaks. A typical solution used by professionals is 3/4 cup clear ammonia or white vinegar, 1 gallon of water and 2 to 4 teaspoons blue Dawn dishwashing liquid combined in a bucket.
Professional window cleaners like Window Genie are trained and experienced in this battle. Window Genie uses a polishing paste specifically designed to fight the minerals that create these stains. The paste is applied to a non-abrasive cleaning pad and the window is lightly scrubbed.
The best homemade window cleaning solution is to just mix two gallons of water and about a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid together in your bucket. Some people also opt to use vinegar and water to clean windows. In warm weather, you'll get a little more working time by using cool water.
Squeegee. A squeegee is definitely a must-have, if you want perfectly cleaned windows. Squeegees do an amazing job for different types of dirt, grime or unpleasant hand marks on window glass.
No matter what type of glass you're cleaning, follow these universal tips: Use soap and water, commercial glass cleaner, or a mixture of one part white vinegar and four parts water (preferably distilled water).
If you have smeared windows when you're finished cleaning, you've left cleaning solution, soap, or minerals behind. Whether you have white residue on windows or another blemish, the solution is the same. Clean faster, use cleaner water, and wipe away all your solution, so nothing is left behind.
For perfectly clear windows, you can add a few drops of methylated spirits to a clean, dry and lint-free cloth and give the windows a wipe down. The methylated spirits will evaporate within a few seconds leaving crystal clear and shiny windows behind.
Vinegar is non-toxic, making it perfect for cleaning your windows instead of using harsh chemicals. It is much more economical than chemical cleaning solutions. Crawling insects are also not fond of vinegar, so using this solution will help keep your windows looking cleaner for longer.
What is Pure Water Window Cleaning? The term Pure Water in window cleaning describes ordinary tap water that has been filtered through a purification system, to remove all the natural minerals. This water is often described as 'deionised water' due to the type of filtration used.
Mix up the cleaning solution: Mix together some water and dish soap to apply to the window. Alternatively, you can create a cleaning solution that is equal parts water and vinegar. Spray the glass with the solution: When your solution is ready, place it in the spray bottle and spray the windows.
Mix a simple solution of vinegar (white distilled) and water, and using a spray bottle, spray the solution to trouble spots on your windows. Let the vinegar solution sit for 2-3 minutes before cleaning off with a cloth.
The blue solution in the reservoir is an alcohol-based glass cleaner probably diluted with some water.
The major ingredient in liquid glass cleaners is water. Almost all of the glass cleaners contain glycol ethers, usually ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Alcohol, such as isopropanol, is also commonly found, as well as ammonia.
Professional window cleaners don't use Windex, so why should we? This special blend will give your window the crystal clear shine you're looking for.
It is a neutral cleaner. This means it is safe to use on most surfaces in your bathroom, including grout. Methylated spirits is safe to use on glass, sinks, chrome taps, ceramic, stone, marble and grout. (Do not use on painted or varnished surfaces).
You will want to dry off the windows quickly to prevent streaks. Don't waste money on chemical glass cleaners, try this formula instead: 1/3 methylated spirits, teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and hot water. The methylated spirits helps reduce streaking and helps the glass to dry faster.
KCB Methylated Spirits has a variety of uses including a window cleaner - mix 500 ml Methylated Spirits and 1/4 cup white vinegar in half a bucket of water. Ctn. Qty.
Combine two parts water with one part white vinegar in a spray bottle and you'll be all set with a homemade window cleaner. You can also combine warm water with a few drops of dishwashing soap if you prefer. Invest in a glass spray bottle to mix up your formula.
Photography by Erin Boyle. Above: A tablespoon of cornstarch is the secret ingredient. Add it to a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar to produce the shiny, streak-free result that is everyone's goal when it comes to cleaning windows.
The water that escapes as steam from the steam cleaner, is demineralised and therefore acts like distilled water. This means that it does not leave any stripes or streaks on the glass. However, if stripes or streaks unexpectedly occur after cleaning, this is usually because detergent residue has not been removed.
Avoid using soap or detergents of any kind as it can end up damaging the coating on the surface of the glass. You might have a cleaner but it does not mean that it is good for cleaning glass as well. Use specialized cleaner for glass to avoid damaging.
Don't clean glass on hot, sunny days. The heat from direct sunlight will cause your windows to dry too quickly, which will cause streaks to appear on the glass. Don't use paper towels. Avoid using paper towels to clean your windows.
Combine 2 tablespoons ammonia, 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol and 1/4 teaspoon mild non-antibacterial dishwashing liquid. Using a funnel, pour the mixture into a rinsed, recycled spray bottle. Then spray it on windows, just as you would commercial glass cleaner, and wipe.