How to Clean a Window Like a Pro

Common professional cleaning services include window cleaning offered by professional cleaners.A professional window cleaner does an amazing job by giving windows a streak-free shine using the right techniques, equipment, and environmentally-friendly cleaning products.

There are many techniques that the pros have to achieve clean and spotless windows. These same tricks and secrets are ones that you can use at home if you are looking for professional results.

Equipment

The first thing you need to do is prepare your supplies. This will help expedite the cleaning in a professional accurate manner. You need to make sure that you have the right supplies to ensure proper cleaning.

Here are some of the supplies you will need:

• Window cleaning bucket that is wide enough to hold all of your cleaning supplies.
• Window washer with swivel handle
• Window squeegee with swivel handle
• Window scraper
• Microfiber cloth, newspapers, sponge
• Window cleaner (recipes to follow)
• Extension pole

These are just the basic supplies that you will need to wash and clean your windows. As you become more experienced with washing your windows, you can add supplies to your supply bucket. Always use quality supplies and make sure to clean your supplies after you are done using them.

Recipes

Professional cleaners recommend that you make your own window cleaner for the best results. The benefits of making your own window cleaner are:

• It is cost-effective, you can save at least a third of what you would pay in stores for the window cleaner.
• It is environmentally friendly because you will be using a natural glass cleaner which is safer for the environment. Not to mention you won’t be filling up the landfill with old bottles, if you use a spray bottle you can just reuse the same one each time.
• You know what is in the cleaner and you control the ratio of the ingredients used.

Here are 3 easy recipes for a window cleaner that you can try on your windows for a streak-free shine:

1 Basic cleaner

Ingredients:

Vinegar
Distilled water
Essential oil or rinds from citrus fruit
Spray bottle

Combine 2 cups of distilled water, 1 cup of vinegar, and roughly 10 drops of essential oil in the spray bottle. Gently shake the ingredients in the bottle and voila you have your basic window cleaner. If you decide to use rinds from citrus fruit, allow the cleaner to sit in the bottle before using it, to absorb the scent from the fruit.

2. Alcohol-based cleaner

Ingredients:

Distilled water
Vinegar
Rubbing alcohol
Spray bottle

Pour 1/4 cup of alcohol and 2-3 tbsp of vinegar in a spray bottle and then add 1 cup of distilled water. Thoroughly shake the ingredients in the bottle. Optional: You can add a few drops of essential oil for a fresh clean scent.

3. Dish soap cleaner

Ingredients:

Hot water (preferably distilled)
Dishwashing liquid
Large bucket

In a large bucket, combine 16 ounces of hot water with a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid. I prefer using a dishwashing liquid that has a citrus scent.

Try out each recipe to determine which one works best for you. Remember the ratio of the ingredients can be adjusted based on your needs. These recipes are just the basic guidelines to give you an idea of what to use.

A quick tip: When using a spray bottle for your cleaners, don’t reuse old bottles that you have in the house. Leftover chemicals can remain in the bottle and cause a reaction when mixing your homemade ingredients.

What is the streak-free technique

If the desired outcome is a streak-free shine, here are a couple of techniques that are used by professional window cleaning services when cleaning windows.

Technique #1

1. Grab your supply bucket, double-checking that all your supplies are in place and clean.
2. If there is anything on the windows, such as stickers, make sure to remove them before washing the windows.
3. If the window is ready to be cleaned, spray windows with your homemade cleaner and allow the cleaner to sit for 2-3 minutes.
4. Wipe the window with your microfiber cloth, and use your window squeegee to remove excess cleaner. Start from top to bottom.
5. After the window is dry, use your newspapers to buff the windows.

Technique #2: use dish soap

1. Fill the bucket halfway with water.
2. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid
3. Use the window washer to wash the window in a circular motion. Avoid using too much solution and wring the washer before using it on the window.
4. Create a dry zone by drying around the frame of the window.
5. Using a dry squeegee begin moving the squeegee along the top of the window going from left to right on the dry glass.
6. Wipe the frame and buff with a microfiber cloth after the window is dry.

Additional tips from the pros

If you want your windows to look like they were cleaned by a professional window cleaner, listen to the pros. Here are some tips the pros offer for a streak-free shine:

• Wash your windows with soapy water and a sponge before cleaning with a window cleaner. Don’t use too much water
• Remove all particles from the window especially stickers, and any glue residue left behind with the window scraper.
• For cleaning window frames use old rags or t-shirts.
• Wipe windows with a microfiber cloth because they are free of lint. Use a clean cloth each time. Never use paper towels because of the lint it transfers on the window.
• Warmer windows require more water, indoor windows use less water.
• If you are cleaning avoid outside windows, avoid direct sunlight
• When washing or squeegeeing the windows always start at the top from left to right.
• Don’t use a lot of pressure on the windows.

You don’t need to be a commercial cleaner in Perth to get results like one. If you follow the tips and techniques of the pros, your windows will look like they were professionally cleaned.

It takes a little practice to determine the correct supplies and techniques to use to get the streak-free shine like a professional window cleaning service, but as the saying goes, practice makes perfect.

That is how you clean a window like a pro.