Best Way to Clean Windows W/out Leaving Streaks?

Updated on July 07, 2010
J.R. asks from Abington, MA
18 answers

Any tips on how to clean inside and outiside of house windows without finishing and looking worse than when you started? They look fine while washing them with windex and a papertowl or I have tried newspaper, but once the sun hits them - yuck!! Streaks galore! Any tips would be appreciated!!

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L.M.

answers from Boston on

I've heard a white vinegar and water solution works well. Also using a squeegy instead of paper towels.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Boston on

I also use microfiber cloths. I ordered mine from flylady.net and they're great - generous size and very thick. They are also a miracle worker on my small stainless steel appliances such as my toaster and tea kettle, which always dried with streaks or spots when I wiped them with sponges, paper towels or dish cloths.

1 mom found this helpful

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L.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

We use a mixture of equal parts of vinegar (white) and water. When cleaning it , use newpapers vs the paper towels. The newspapers does a better job. Good luck

2 moms found this helpful

H.A.

answers from Burlington on

Have you tried -- and I'm not pulling your leg -- steel wool? A friend suggested it to me, and I thought he was CRAZY. Surely it would scratch the glass? Nope. Be sure to use very fine steel wool, and make sure it isn't rusted.

I've been doing this for years. No scratches, little elbow grease, and no cleaning solution required. It's even great on glass doors that are covered with dog prints.

You can find info here: http://www.ehow.com/how_###-###-####_clean-glass-liquid-c...

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

H.K.

answers from Gainesville on

the queen of clean books I have said you can use the dry eraser (like you use on the white boards in school) and she says it erases the streaks after you get done washing your mirrors. Wondering if it might work on a window too. I have never tried it.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Shreveport on

My dad taught me to use equal parts vinegar and water... and to wipe it with newspaper... works every time!! I used tthis method growing up when it was my turn to do windows! saves a LOT of time!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.D.

answers from Providence on

When I worked in a Diner we used coffee filters to polish and shine...
however I just LOVE my new KB Cloth a microfiber cloth you use with just water it polishes and shines w/o streaking.
www.kaywos.com

1 mom found this helpful
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E.M.

answers from Johnstown on

I have the best luck with using very hot water, a tablespoon of amonia and Bounty papertowels. I first wash the windows with the water/amonia mix with a very soft, clean rag, and then wipe them dry with the paper towels. I've tried all different cleaners, but this is what works best for me.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.L.

answers from Des Moines on

Use newspaper! My husband thought I was crazy when he found me cleaning all the windows with wadded up newspaper...but it cleans great and leaves no streaks!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.L.

answers from Boston on

I found this recipe online and it worked like a charm for me, even jsut using paper towels.

Make a great all-purpose window cleaner by combining 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent, and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake to blend and spray on your windows!

1 mom found this helpful
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P.N.

answers from Boston on

Use vinegar and hot water and cotton towels or rags. No streaks at all and totally non toxic. You just get sparkling clean windows.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Washington DC on

Hot water, spritz of dish liquid and a dash of amonia is what I use. With a rag I wash the window and the frame and then squeegee the dirty water off wiping the blade off after each pass. I go up and down on the inside and from side to side on the outside, I do that so if there are streaks I know where they are. Then I use a dry clean lint free rag to dry the water off completely. Streaks ( if any) I attack with a little windex on a dry clean rag and buff buff buff. Works every time.

1 mom found this helpful
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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I also use a mixture of water and vinegar. I sometimes use paper towels or just old rags, either work nicely for me. I think the vinegar (or amonia) works the best for streak free.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Microfibre cloth with soap and water. Rinse with ONLY water. and Elbow grease. There is no other way.

B.
Family Success Coach

1 mom found this helpful

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

I tried all the answers you have received below and nothing worked for me. I thought I was doing something wrong! Then I decided to try Shaklee Non-toxic cleaners. I was so impressed I became an Independent Distributor. I really really recommend Shaklee's Basic H2. It is a concentrate that can be diluted into the best window/mirror cleaner I have ever had! Plus, it stays cleaner longer too because it repels dirt. Mirrors even fog less.

Follow this link:
http://healinghappens.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sk...

1 mom found this helpful

C.M.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

All the responses is what I do, except I do it when the sun isn't shining right on the window, that is leaves strikes as well :-)

1 mom found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I have a spray bottle of vinegar and use it with papertowels. Works great for me. I do this for mirrors as well.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.J.

answers from Dallas on

I love those microfiber cloths. They work wonders all by themselves.

1 mom found this helpful
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