Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to cleaning windows. Short of spinning around three times, clicking your heels and wiggling your nose, we have heard it all. However, not everything you hear is good advice. Below are the four worst pieces of advice we have heard and the option you should choose instead.
“Have Your Tried Cleaner XYZ?”
We have all heard we need to try this cleaner or that one. While we will not list them all here, we can tell you that you do not need any of them to get a professional clean. All you need is a squirt bottle, dish soap and warm water. Just a few drops of dish soap (or white vinegar) gently mixed with warm water can get those windows perfectly clean and cost you practically nothing.
“Use Crumpled Newspaper or a Rag”
This old-school insight is outdated and wrong. Newspaper, paper towels and rags do not clean windows. They simply push dirt around and create more static electricity. Do you know what that static electricity does in turn? It attracts more dirt and dust particles. Instead, if you want a professional clean, invest in a squeegee. The rubber blade on a squeegee does not create static electricity. It also helps to cleanly scrape away the dirt.
“Like the Karate Kid, ‘Wax On, Wax Off’”
As with the newspaper advice, this one is simply a no-go. If you have invested in a squeegee, your technique will need to change. There are two techniques you need to know to get that professional streak-free shine. If you have a large, uninterrupted window – drag your squeegee across the glass in a large “S” pattern, starting from the top. Every time you lift that squeegee, wipe the blade to ensure you do not track dirty cleaning solution over your clean glass. If you have small or multi-paned windows, drag your squeegee straight down, from top to bottom. As with the large windows, wipe the rubber blade between each pane. By starting from the top, you ensure any dripping, dirty solution runs downward, thus keeping the cleaned surface spotless.
“Just Use a Razor on That Paint”
Paint that has dripped and dried on the surface of your window will require more than a squeegee. However, this one is just plain wrong. Razors run the risk of seriously damaging your glass through accidental scrapings and scratches. These permanent damages are unsightly and unfixable. Professional glass scrapers are available from most hardware stores and Amazon. Unlike a razor, these tools actually reduce the risk of scraping your glass. They also help ensure you scrape at the right angle, helping you to better clean the surface of your glass.
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