Dirty windows can be very frustrating. Without a regular cleaning routine, They make a home look uncared for and perpetually untidy. They also limit the amount of natural sunlight entering your house, making your room look dark and gloomy. Interestingly, dim light can provoke depressive behavior and lower your body’s level of the feel-good hormone serotonin.

You’ll also be amazed to know that dirty living spaces can affect your health. For instance, they can lead to respiratory infections and worsen allergies. On top of that, when dirt and grime accumulate on the glass, it can severely damage the seals and frames. The good news is that cleaning them can be pretty easy. 

Here is the complete cleaning guide prepared by professional cleaners. You will discover the best cleaning products and techniques that will leave your windows crystal clear — without streaks. 

If you find that yours are old and worn down, Click Here to find out more about window safety and maintenance

Must-Have Window Cleaning Equipment 

The fastest way to clean them is by ensuring you have all the basic cleaning equipment. Luckily, you can easily purchase the high-quality cleaning tools used by the pros online or in any full-service hardware store. 

Here are the tools you need: 

• Soft and tough microfiber cloth 
• A rubber or a sponge 
• A five-gallon plastic bucket 
• Liquid dish soap 
• Small towels, bath towels, and lint-free rags. 
• A ladder and a ladder stabilizer 

The Best Window Cleaning Solution 

Many commercial cleaning products promise to remove dirt, grease, and grime without leaving streaks or films. If used correctly, these products can be highly effective, leaving a clean glass surface with a fresh fragrance. 

You can also use a simple homemade solution by mixing one-part vinegar with two parts of water in a spray bottle. Close the bottle and shake it to mix the solution thoroughly. Then use the solution to clean the glass surface easily and efficiently. Alternatively, you can mix a capful of ammonia with two gallons of clean water.

How Often Should You Clean Your Windows?

Consistent cleaning is necessary because they might get dirty fast, depending on the location and what environment your glass are exposed to. Cleaning professionals have advised not to do washing when the weather is very hot as the sun can dry up the cleaning solution too fast and cause spots and smears to appear. 

In order to prevent collection of impurities and atmosphere residues from accumulating, homeowners may want to engage in a once a month window cleaning routine to keep them spick and span. If you own a commercial space and need cleaning, you might need a more frequent routine, like once a week spring cleaning routine. This is crucial because commercial spaces might be exposed to air pollution, dirty debris and dust. Shop windows near busy roads and exposure to all kinds of harmful exaust, it might result in dirtying them as well, therefore they might need a once a week cleaning routine

Other Factors That Determine How Often You Should Do Window Cleaning For Your Apartment

Residential Windows

Another major factor is the area you live in. Residential apartments are often located in places with less traffic. This means that they are less likely to get dirty often; hence you don’t need to clean them frequently.

Experts recommend cleaning such windows at least twice per year when conducting deep cleaning. This will again depend on the climate and type of building. Some residential apartments may be located in busy traffic areas and will require more frequent cleaning, for instance, three times per year.

Commercial Windows

Commercial windows need to be cleaned more often. For one, they are usually located in high traffic areas and are likely to get dirty faster. Secondly, your office should always be sparkling clean no matter the season or type of building.

Of course, no potential client will be comfortable in a restaurant or office with dirty windows. So it makes perfect sense to schedule regular office cleaning with the cleaning professionals. Consider cleaning your commercial office at least once or twice every month.

Here’s a quick rundown of other factors that may require you to clean your apartment windows more often:

• If there are trees or lots of vegetation and pollen in your area
• Perhaps you are remodelling your house
• How windy the area can get
• If there’s a new construction taking place in the vicinity

How to Clean the Inside of Windows?

• Add an adequate amount of clean, cool water in a plastic bucket and a few drops of your liquid dish soap. 
• Strategically place the bath towel beneath to trap any spills. 
• Using a soft and clean microfiber cloth, carefully go over the entire glass surface. You should start from the top and work your way down to the bottom of them for the best results. 
• Thoroughly wipe down the inside and out of the frame.
• The next step is to spray with the store-bought or your homemade cleaning solution.  
• Then use the lint-free rag, newspaper pages, or clean paper towels to dry your window completely in a series of Z-Movements. 
• If you notice streaks or films after drying (common with dirty windows), spray the surface and dry again. 

How to Clean the Outside of Windows? 

Cleaning the outside of high windows can be challenging, especially if you’re trying to clean from the inside. You’re advised to proceed with caution or, even safer, consider engaging a cleaning professional. Trying to reach around the outside of your third or fifth-story window can be very dangerous. If possible, safely remove them from its frame, clean the glass, and reinsert it once you’re done. 

Here’s how to clean your windows from the outside: 

• Unlike the inside, the outside can be very dirty. That’s because things like particles from car exhausts and pollen easily cling to the glass. To clean, begin by rinsing the entire area with a hose. 
• Secondly, fill a plastic bucket with clean, cool water and add a few drops of dish soap.

  Use a clean microfiber cloth to go over the surface. If you’re cleaning high windows, consider using a sponge mop or microfiber mop on a pole to clean.

• The next step is to rinse the window completely with a hose, then spray or mop it with the cleaning solution. 
• In case of tough stains or dirt, saturate the spot entirely with the vinegar water solution and let it stand for a few minutes before moving on to the next step (drying). 
• Next, use a lint-free towel or newspaper pages to dry the window completely from top to bottom. 
• The last step is to clean the screens. Rinse them with plain water and spray the vinegar solution before rinsing them with clean water. Allow the screens to dry completely before replacing them. 

Common Mistakes You Should Avoid When Cleaning Windows 

Cleaning windows on a sunny day

Your cleaning detergent can quickly dry on the window before you wipe or rinse it off on a sunny day. This leaves behind unsightly streaks that are stubborn to remove. 

Spraying the cleaning solution on dirty or dusty windows 

As seen above, you must begin by eliminating dirt from your windows using a clean microfiber cloth, handheld vacuum, or even brush. This way, the dust will not turn into mud when mixed with the cleaning solution, which can mess up the cleaning process. 

Skimping The Cleaning Solution 

You need to spray a generous amount of the cleaning solution, especially if your windows are very dirty. This helps dissolve all stubborn grime, grease, grit, and stains for effective cleaning. 

Drying Windows Using a Squeegee 

Squeegees are best left to professional cleaners who know how to use them correctly. When you squeegee down, the waterfalls on the floor presenting the risk of slips, trips, and falls. 

Drying Windows Using an Old Cotton Rag 

Old cotton rags are notorious for leaving pesky streaks and lint residue on the surface of clean windows. 

The Advantages of Having Streak-Free Windows

The spotless, crystal clear visibility of the external scenery is what we all wish for on our windows. As home owners, we would want to enhance the overall appearance of the home to make a good impression to our guests. By cleaning with the professional way, we could achieve these. Furthermore, cleaning our windows removes the dirt, grimes and moulds that might be stuck them which could affect the health of the occupants living at home. In short, cleaning our windows improves our home’s aesthetics and hygiene.

The Importance of Having Clean Windows For Your Commercial Space

As a business owner you would most surely think about customer experience and impressions of your store, especially if you are running a Food & Beverage Outlet. Having dirty windows will attract negative perceptions and reviews about your store. Although you could clean it yourself, hiring a professional cleaning team might be ideal if your commercial space involves tall windows that need proper professional cleaning equipment and tools.