Cleaning glass looks easy until the sun comes in at an angle and reveals the smears and streaks that ruin the whole thing. If you are wondering how to clean window glass so it really gleams, the key is not scrubbing harder but using the right product, the right cloth and an orderly technique. In this guide you will see how to clean glass without leaving streaks, with which products and in what order, both inside and out.
Why streaks are left on the glass
Before you get started, it helps to understand why glass ends up with those whitish lines. It is almost always one of these reasons:
- Too much product: more glass cleaner does not clean better; it leaves a film that shows as it dries.
- Cloths that shed lint: kitchen roll or old rags leave threads and specks behind.
- Hard water: the limescale in tap water dries into spots.
- Cleaning with the sun on the glass: the product evaporates before you can wipe it away and leaves marks.
What to clean windows with for a perfect finish
You do not need a thousand products. What to clean windows with for a perfect finish comes down to a handful of things:
- Microfibre cloth: one to wash with and a dry one for the final shine. That is what makes the difference compared with paper.
- Warm water with a few drops of neutral soap or washing-up liquid for everyday dirt.
- White vinegar: mix half water and half vinegar in a spray bottle for limescale and stubborn marks.
- A ready-made glass cleaner if you prefer something off the shelf; a small amount is plenty.
- A rubber-bladed squeegee for large windows: it takes the water off in a single pass and prevents runs.
How to clean window glass step by step
With everything ready, follow this order to clean your windows quickly and without streaks:
- Remove the dust first. Run a dry cloth or the vacuum over the frame and the glass to lift the loose dust; otherwise it turns to mud the moment it gets wet.
- Apply the product to the cloth, not to the glass. That way you control the amount and avoid runs.
- Clean in a zigzag from top to bottom, covering the whole surface.
- Take the moisture off with the squeegee in horizontal passes, drying the rubber blade between each one.
- Buff to a finish with a dry microfibre cloth, paying particular attention to the corners, where the product collects.
An old trick that still works: once the glass is almost dry, go over it with a crumpled sheet of newspaper. It soaks up the remaining moisture and acts as a gentle polish, leaving the glass without a single streak or piece of lint. Do watch out for light-coloured frames, though, because the ink can stain them.
How to clean windows from the outside
Knowing how to clean windows from the outside takes a bit more doing, especially on upper floors. Always work safely: do not lean out too far and use a squeegee with an extendable handle to reach without any risk. The outer face collects dust, rain and limescale, so start with a good rinse of water to carry away the heavy dirt before you apply any product. Choose a cloudy day or the early hours of the morning: with cool glass and no direct sun, the cleaner does not dry instantly and leaves no marks. Finish by taking the water off with the squeegee from top to bottom.
Tricks to keep windows cleaner for longer
- Clean the frame and the seal at the same time; otherwise the dirt washes back onto the glass with the first rain.
- Use distilled water if the water where you live is very hard: you will avoid limescale spots.
- Go over the glass with a dry microfibre cloth every few weeks to keep the shine without repeating the deep clean.
- Keep your cloths clean and separate from the kitchen ones so they do not pick up grease.
Get your windows gleaming
With the right product, a good microfibre cloth and a little method, cleaning your windows stops being a battle and becomes a matter of minutes. Remember: not much product, no direct sun and always a dry cloth for the final shine. If you are looking for microfibre cloths, spray bottles and practical accessories to keep your home in order, take a look at our selection of household items at Velia Select and make your windows look like they did on day one.