Interior window cleaning hacks of the pros
Cleaning your interior windows like the pros is possible! Follow this quick guide to learn the ins and outs of getting professional results for a fraction of the price.
Keeping the windows on your home clean can transform your space, making it feel exponentially cleaner to you and your guests, and bringing in much more natural light in the winter months. If you’re planning to clean your windows without the help of a professional, it can be challenging to get the streak-free finish you’re after. We’ve gathered some of our favorite window cleaning hacks to help you get the best possible results. Window cleaning does require attention to detail and a few pieces of equipment, but cleaning your own windows could save you some money and is a fun skill to learn.
1. Use The Right Tools
Before you do anything, you’re going to need a few affordable tools. Using the proper equipment to scrub and remove liquid from the windows is the most important part of ensuring you get a streak-free finish. For about $20-$30, you can get a mop and squeegee that will last several years if you take care of it!
The mop is used to apply your cleaner and scrub the glass (something like this will work well), and the squeegee is then used to get all of the soapy water off of the glass. Be sure to get a metal framed squeegee like this one - we recommend starting with a 12”, as the wider squeegees can be hard to handle. If you take care of your squeegee, you should get a couple years out of it before the rubber starts to wear out or get dry and brittle….and the rubber is fully replaceable for a couple dollars when that time comes!
Another tool we frequently use is a walnut pad - a mildly abrasive pad used to scrub the glass and break up any buildup. Again, these are very affordable and something like this from Amazon is perfect.
Lastly, you’ll need a couple towels. We recommend starting with one larger towel (to lay on your window sill and catch soapy water that drips off the window), and one small microfiber towel to detail the edges of the glass when you’re done. A quality microfiber is key here - cheaper ones will leave fuzz around the edges of your glass that will really stand out in sunlight.
Equipment needed:
Squeegee
Mop
Walnut Pad
Dawn dish soap
Vinegar (optional)
Bucket
Large towel
Small microfiber towel
2. Prepare Your Work Space
Once you’ve got these tools (check your local Home Depot or Lowes - they usually have these in stock), it’s time to prepare to do some learning!
To prep your area, start by laying a towel on your window sill to catch water as it drips. This is particularly important if you’re in a room with carpet - we don’t want that soapy water soaking your carpet or damaging wood surfaces!
If you haven’t already, mix up some soapy water in a bucket - use 1 tablespoon of Dawn dish soap with about a gallon of warm water, and mix well. You can throw in a half cup of vinegar if you’ve got exceptionally dirty windows. Soak your mop in the soapy water so it becomes fully saturated.
3. The Process - Scrub, Squeegee & Detail
Dip your mop in your solution, gently squeeze out the excess water, and scrub your first window down. If you notice any debris that seems stuck to the window, this is where you can use your walnut pad to give an extra scrub. Hack - if this is your first time using a squeegee, practice on a smaller window that doesn’t have direct sunlight on it. This will not only be easier, but will give you more time to practice before the sun causes evaporation.
Now it’s time to get familiar with that squeegee. Mastering the correct technique for using a squeegee will help you remove the excess soapy water without leaving streaks - this takes a bit of practice, so be patient!
There are two general ways to use a squeegee - the “straight pull” or the “fan” technique. Straight pull technique refers to starting on one side of the window at the top, pulling your squeegee straight down the glass to the bottom, and then shifting over as you work your way across the glass.
While the straight pull technique is definitely the easiest, there is a tendency to get small vertical streaks where water comes off the end of the squeegee. One way to avoid this is to quickly wipe the squeegee rubber clean after each pull down the glass. Use your microfiber towel for this to avoid fuzz getting on the glass as you go!
If you’re wanting to learn the fan technique like the pros, we recommend watching this quick video over on YouTube.
A common mistake we see made with less experienced technicians is the tendency to press too hard with your squeegee. It takes very little pressure on the glass to properly squeegee a window, so practice this and see what works best for you!
Once you’ve got all of your soapy water off your glass, the last step is to detail it! You’ll probably notice a little bit of soapy water around the perimeter of the window - this is totally normal, as it’s almost impossible to get every little bit of soapy water with the squeegee. Grab that microfiber towel, and using one finger tip inside the towel, gently wipe around the edges of the window to remove that last bit of water.
Lastly, take that larger towel and wipe up any excess water left on the window frame and sill. Voila! You’ve just cleaned your first window, and you’re on your way to being a window cleaning pro!
4. Other Tips and Hacks
Many chemical cleaners (even Windex!) will leave residue on windows. Switching to a basic mixture of Dawn dish soap and water will help you achieve clearer windows, and is VERY affordable. If you’ve got it, you can throw in some vinegar to help break down residue, as well.
Similarly, too much soap in your mixture will lead to streaky residue left behind. It doesn’t take much to get those windows looking clean, so use soap sparingly!
Practice, practice, practice. Using a squeegee is a bit of an artform. It takes cleaning a LOT of windows to really feel like you’ve got it figured out, so enjoy the process and don’t be afraid to re-do some windows at first because they aren’t turning out like you imagined!
A higher quality squeegee & squeegee rubber will usually give even better results. Once you’ve started to get the hang of it, you might consider investing in a bit nicer squeegee. We really like this one from Sorbo.
5- Hire A Professional
Achieving a perfectly clean window takes practice. If this process seems like more than you’re wanting to take on, or if you’re not wanting to climb ladders to reach higher windows, you might benefit from hiring a professional window cleaner. Working with a professional company will ensure that your windows are free of residue and streaks, and free up your time to do other things. If you want to get the best window cleaning results, hiring a window cleaner will be worth the investment.
Most window cleaning companies will offer annual or recurring cleaning services. Having your windows professionally cleaned at least once a year can help reduce allergens in your home, increase natural light, and boost your mood.
Window Cleaning Services From Pro Services
Our company specializes in residential window cleaning. From exterior to interior, Pro Services works hard to help you achieve that streak-free shine. Our window cleaners have the proper tools and non-abrasive cleaners to help get your windows looking brand new again. Pro Services is proud to serve Boise and the surrounding communities of Eagle, Meridian, Star, Middleton, Nampa and Caldwell, Idaho.
No matter how long it has been since you had a professional window cleaning, our team can guarantee your windows will shine. We also offer house washing, gutter cleaning, pressure washing, and custom holiday lighting. All of these services will help your home to look its best. Reach out to us today and schedule a service!
