Housekeeping House Cleaning Surface Cleaning How to Clean Windows Inside and Out for Streak-Free Results Make windows shine with this easy cleaning guide. Follow these steps on how to wash windows to clear away grime and leave your home sparkling. By Kelly Roberson Kelly Roberson Website With extensive experience writing for home design and architectural magazines, Kelly Roberson is a seasoned pro. She has more than 20 years of experience writing for home and garden brands.As a freelance writer for more than 13 years, Kelly was a project manager, editor, and writer for a long list of magazines, including many gardening, home design, and holiday crafts titles. Today she works in developing creative content for marketing clients in a number of industries, including financial planning.Kelly Roberson graduated from Drake University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Instagram Jessica Bennett is the digital assistant home editor at Better Homes & Gardens. With a knack for writing and editing, she covers decorating, home improvement, cleaning, organizing, and more for BHG.com. With nearly five years of combined experience in digital and magazine journalism, she has contributed over 800 articles for BHG.com to date, and her writing on interior design and decorating has been featured in 16 national print magazines, including Do It Yourself, Country Home, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Secrets of Getting Organized, and more. Jessica received a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University. She also completed a secondary major in French language studies. Prior to graduation, she was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society, which recognizes academic excellence in the field of journalism. She is currently pursuing an interior design certificate from the New York Institute of Art + Design. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on March 1, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Compare a clean window with a dirty one, and the contrast is clear. Streak- and grime-free windows offer a lovely way to enjoy the outdoors, as well as an uninterrupted path for sunshine to enter into your home's interior. But many people avoid this task because they are unsure how to clean windows. Luckily, it takes just a bit of planning and a little elbow grease. Washing the windows is a good spring cleaning job for the family to help with, and clean windows will make the entire house look cleaner. Here are six must-follow steps for cleaning windows. Laurie Black 1. Test the temperature. Don't want to waste a sunny day chasing away the dirt and grime on windows? You're not alone—and you're in luck. One of the best pieces of advice for how to clean windows is to pick a cloudy day. The absence of sunlight will help to minimize the chance of streaks because heat makes window cleaning solution evaporate faster than you can wipe it off. Lack of glaring sunlight also enables you to better see—and better clean—the windows. To quickly test the temperature, touch the window glass. If it's hot to the touch, wait for a cooler day. Brie Williams 2. Remove dust and dirt from windows. No window washing job is complete without using your vacuum first. Dust and dirt can accumulate inside the sills of your windows, and once that gets wet, you'll be left with muddy streaks to clean up. That's why an essential step in cleaning windows properly is to hook up the vacuum first, using hose attachments to clean out the interior side of your windows. While you're at it, use the vacuum to suck up dust or bugs that have gathered at the window closing. Then wipe off any lingering dirt and cobwebs with a wet cloth to reduce grimy smears. Our 30-Day Cleaning Checklist Will Have Your Home Sparkling in Just Minutes Each Day Edmund Barr 3. Clean outside windows. There's one crucial step that many people skip when learning how to clean windows: an exterior hose-down. Close all your windows and use a garden hose to spray the outside. You'll remove the first layer of dirt and make the detail work that much easier. Plus, on a summer day, you can use window washing as an excuse to splash in the water a little bit. Kip Dawkins 4. Clean inside windows. How you wash individual windows depends on the type of windows you have. Newer versions flip open, enabling you to clean both the outside and inside from the same spot. Older ones might be stationary, which means you'll have to use a ladder to clean the exteriors. Most will allow you to remove the screens and clean them separately. Clean indoor glass panes with a window cleaner. Screens can be cleaned with warm, soapy water, either on a paved outside area or in a bathtub. David Tsay 5. Use a system for cleaning windows. Enlist the family for help cleaning windows. Have one person work inside, wiping windows horizontally, while another wipes outside vertically. That way you'll know which side the dirt or streaks are on. Be sure to find a ladder you feel comfortable on. If you have a window you'd have to reach for, leave it to the pros. Reed Davis 6. Dry the glass. There are few things that can ruin freshly cleaned windows quicker than gobs of left-behind lint. Instead of paper towels, utilize a lint-free option, such as clean coffee filters, crumpled newsprint, or a microfiber or flour-sack towel. Alternatively, try a small squeegee with a sharp, nick-free rubber blade. This fool-proof trick will make you feel like a professional window cleaning service. The Essential Cleaning Tools You Need to Tackle Messes in Every Room Lincoln Barbour How to Clean Windows with Vinegar There are many DIY window cleaner recipes available, but our favorite starts with a vinegar base. To make your own glass cleaner, you'll need the following ingredients: 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol1/3 cup vinegardistilled water For best results, look for vinegar that says "made from grain" on the label. Funnel the ingredients into a 32-ounce spray bottle and lightly shake to mix. Spritz onto a lint-free cloth and clean your windows. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit