Whenever you’re decluttering, dusting, and deep cleaning around the house, you might focus on scrubbing the sinks, sanitizing the countertops, and vacuuming the carpets, but there’s a good chance your windows are an afterthought. “Windows are one of those household tasks that easily gets overlooked,” says Doris Erazo Cramer, the office manager of professional cleaning company Lucie's Home Services. Most people put off the chore until the glass is covered in gunk or they simply ignore the job altogether, because they aren’t sure how to make the surface sparkle again.
Regularly cleaning your windows can change the entire look and feel of your house. Polishing both sides of the glass will let in more natural light, give you a better view of your yard, and create a brighter, more welcoming living space. Not to mention, it’ll save you money: If you neglect the chore for too long, you’ll have to drop hundreds of dollars on a professional window cleaner, when you could have easily tackled the task yourself, according to Erazo Cramer.
While consistency is important, it’s nothing without the right technique. Even if you do wipe down your windows on a regular basis, you might notice streaks scattered across the surface. That’s why we tapped a professional cleaner for her foolproof method on achieving a streak-free shine. Here’s the incredibly easy window cleaning trick you need to start doing—seriously, you won’t believe how simple it is!
What Causes Streaky Windows
Before we peel back the curtain on the secret to streak-free windows, we need to address why the residual marks are happening in the first place. By understanding the most common causes of streaky windows, you’ll know what not to do.
Product Buildup
If you spray too much product onto your windows, the solution will leave behind a sudsy film when it dries. Rinsing your windows with excess water can also create visible marks when the moisture evaporates.
Dirty Towels
Using a dirty towel, rag, or shirt to dry your windows will cause the debris to fall on and cling to the glass. Keep in mind that if you do choose a tee to accomplish this household chore, Erazo Cramer advises against opting for one with a logo or graphic, both of which can cause scratch marks. Scrubbing your windows with a paper towel will also track lint and residue onto the surface.
Direct Sunlight
Washing the exterior glass on a hot, sunny day is also a common culprit of streaky windows. That’s because the sunlight will dry the solution so fast that you won’t have a chance to sop it up and prevent the smears.
The Best Streak-Free Window Cleaning Trick
Now that you’re well-versed in the biggest streaky-window offenders, we can lift the veil on the streak-free window cleaning trick that a professional cleaner swears by: “You won't believe it, but just a few sprinkles of plain water will do,” Erazo Cramer reveals. “Using too much product or the incorrect amount can create a buildup, but with water, it’s like magic.” Just fill a spray bottle with water, add a few squirts to the glass, and wipe it dry with a clean cotton towel or rag. “It's rare that it’ll leave streaks,” Erazo Cramer promises. Really, just ask her friend! After moving to a new home, her husband cleaned every single window with a spray bottle full of water and a cotton rag, and virtually every neighbor was influenced to follow the same exact same unfussy technique.
Tips for Getting Streak-Free Windows
With this super realistic trick up your sleeve, you’re well on your way to having windows that glisten. Here are some other window-cleaning tips to keep in mind while washing yours:
Maintain a Consistent Schedule
For your interior windows, Erazo Cramer recommends inspecting them for dust, fingerprints, and buildup once a month. If they’re noticeably dirty, they’re due for a cleaning. As for the exterior side, wiping them down twice a year, especially after pollen season, will maintain a sparkly finish, according to Erazo Cramer.
Wait for a Cloudy Day
Because intense sunshine can cause the moisture to evaporate incredibly fast (which will leave behind streaks), you’re better off waiting for a cool, cloudy day to spruce up your windows.
Work in Sections
Regardless of the weather conditions, cleaning your windows in separate sections will help slow down the evaporation process. That way, you’ll be able to wipe down each part of the window before it has a chance to air dry.
Set Aside Window-Only Rags
Erazo Cramer notes that it’s really easy for your cleaning utensils to overlap. But if you accidentally grab the cloth you just used to scrub the kitchen table, you could unknowingly transfer all the dirt and debris onto the glass. An easy way to prevent this is setting aside a bin of rags reserved for your windows.
By opting for a simple water solution to clean your windows and following all the best window care tips, you’ll never have to worry about a streaky surface ever again!
Lilly Blomquist is the associate editor at The Pioneer Woman, where she writes lifestyle stories across a wide range of topics—including news, entertainment, holidays, food, and more.
