Home Organization Tips

There’s no denying that fall is here. It gets darker earlier, the sky is a bit cloudier, the weather is getting cooler…and the fashions are changing from light colors to darker shades. You blame your dark house on the change in season, but let’s be real- the true reason that everything looks darker these days is because you haven’t cleaned your windows. Fortunately, it’s easy to remedy this problem, and bring a bit more light into your home, by following these easy steps to cleaner windows. Is it the best way to clean windows? You tell me!

Step 1- Find the perfect window cleaning solution. Purchase window cleaning spray in any grocery store or make your own by mixing ½ cup of rubbing alcohol, ¼ teaspoon dishwashing liquid and 2 tablespoons of vinegar (or ammonia). No matter what solution you use to clean the windows, make sure that it doesn’t have too much soap which can leave streaks and film on the windows.

Step 2- Use a sponge or wet rag to wet the window. Make sure that the sponge is not too saturated as extra water will run down the pane and flood the windowsill.

Step 3- Scrub the entire surface of the window. Again, make sure not to let the window cleaning solution get on the wooden window panes, as it can cause them to warp or discolor the paint.

Step 4- Squeegee the water. Try squeegeeing vertically on one side of the window and horizontally on the other, so that you can figure out exactly where the streaks or spots are coming from. Stop the squeegee a few inches from the end of the window to help prevent the water from running onto the sill. The best way to clean windows with a squeegee is by wiping off the squeegee in between runs to prevent streaks.

Step 5- Squeegee the bottom of the window horizontally. Your final squeegee should be horizontally across the bottom of the window where you stopped squeegeeing before. This will cover the last of the area.

Step 6- Dry the bottom of the window. Use an old t-shirt, paper towel, or soft (lint-free) cloth to wipe away any leftover water at the bottom of the window.

Step 7- Repeat on second side.

For windows that are not just clean but actually sparkling, follow these extra tips and discover for yourself why this is the best way to clean windows:

1 Clean the corners with a Q-tip- Dirt can build up in the corner of your windows, tarnishing an otherwise spotless look. Keep the corners clean by flushing out the dirt with a Q-tip.

2 Rub a clean whiteboard marker over the clean window- This will buff your window and provide it with extra shine and luster.

3 Wash windows on a cloudy day- When the sun is shining directly on your window, it may dry the cleaning solution before you have time to squeegee it off. Prevent extra streaks by washing your windows when it’s cloudy.

Do you have other ideas about the best way to clean windows? I’d love to hear them and share them.

Posted on November 8th, 2007 by Sari
Filed under: Household Management