Washing windows is a slow, frustrating, miserable job—but only if you do it wrong. Do it like the pros and it’s easy. All it takes is a few basic tools and a simple process.
Glass cleaner and paper towels are not the way to go. Instead, stop by a home center and spend about $20 on cleaning gear:
• A scrubber for large areas, or a sponge if you have divided-glass windows.
• A high-quality squeegee. Don’t go cheap; a good squeegee is well worth an extra five bucks. A 10- or 12-in. model is best for large areas.
• A microfiber rag or two. Microfiber absorbs more and cleans glass better than other fabrics.
• A razor scraper for paint specks or other tough spots. If you don’t find one alongside cleaning supplies, try the paint aisle.
• You’ll also need rags to wipe off the squeegee, a bucket and dishwashing liquid (1 teaspoon per 2 gallons of water).
1. Scrub the glass
Dip the scrubber into a bucket of soapy water and squeeze out the excess water. Then scrub. Be sure to cover every square inch of glass.
2. Create a clean strip
Tip the squeegee so that only the end contacts the glass. Then drag the squeegee down along one side of the window. This clean strip makes it easier to start the horizontal strokes.
3. Make the first squeegee pass
Keep the top of the squeegee in contact with the upper edge of the window. Wipe the squeegee on your pocket rag after each pass.
4. Work your way down
Overlap each pass by about 2 in. Angle the squeegee slightly to direct water down the window.
5. Wipe the perimeter
Wrap a microfiber rag around your finger and run it around the outer edge of the window. That’s it—you’re done!
Yes, you can squeegee inside, too
The pros do it all the time, even in houses with varnished woodwork. The key is to squeeze almost all of the water out of the scrubber. Wipe up any water that dribbles onto woodwork. If you have divided windows, you’ll need a smaller squeegee.
