How to Clean Your Home's Windows
Mix a few drops of dish soap into a bucket of warm water, wash each window with a sponge or scrubber, then pull a squeegee from top to bottom in overlapping strokes and wipe the edges with a microfiber cloth. Do this twice a year, in spring and fall, for streak-free results.
- Time
- 60 min
- Frequency
- twice a year (spring and fall)
- Difficulty
- easy
- Cost
- $5
What you'll need
- Bucket
- Dish soap
- Squeegee
- Microfiber cloth or lint-free rag
- Garden hose or spray bottle
- Soft-bristle brush or sponge
The steps
- 1
Dust the frames, sills, and tracks
Use a dry brush or vacuum with a brush attachment to remove loose dirt, cobwebs, and dead insects from the window frame, sill, and track. Skipping this step turns dry grime into mud the moment you add water, which smears across the glass and clogs the track.
- 2
Rinse the glass with plain water
Spray the window with a hose on a gentle setting or wipe it down with a wet cloth. This knocks off surface dust and pollen so your wash water stays cleaner longer.
- 3
Wash with soapy water
Add a few drops of dish soap to a bucket of warm water. Dip a sponge, scrubber, or soft-bristle brush and scrub the entire pane. Work from top to bottom so dirty water runs down onto glass you have not cleaned yet.
- 4
Squeegee from top to bottom
Start at the top corner of the pane and pull the squeegee straight down in a single pass. Wipe the blade with a clean cloth after each pass. Overlap each stroke by about an inch so you do not leave dry strips. Horizontal strokes work too, but vertical is easier to keep straight on most windows.
- 5
Wipe the edges and corners
Run a dry microfiber cloth along the edges of the glass and into the corners where the squeegee cannot reach. This is where streaks hide. A folded cloth with a firm edge gets into the corners better than a balled-up rag.
- 6
Clean the screens separately
Pop the screens out and lay them flat on a tarp or driveway. Scrub both sides with soapy water and a soft brush, rinse with a hose, and let them dry completely before reinstalling. Dirty screens filter grime onto glass every time it rains, so clean windows behind dirty screens do not stay clean.
- 7
Inspect seals and glazing
While each window is clean and wet, look for cracked caulking, failed glazing, or fogging between double-pane glass. Fog between panes means the seal has failed and the insulating gas has escaped. Catching this early lets you replace just the glass unit instead of the whole window.
Why clean windows matter more than you think
Dirty windows are not just an appearance problem. A layer of grime blocks a surprising amount of natural light, which makes rooms feel darker and pushes you toward flipping on lights earlier in the day. Over a full year, that adds up on your electric bill.
More importantly, cleaning your windows is the only time most people actually look at the seals, glazing, and frames up close. A failed seal on a double-pane window means the insulating argon gas has leaked out. That window is now a thermal weak point that drives up heating and cooling costs. Catching a failed seal early means replacing a $150 glass unit instead of a $600 full window.
Then there is curb appeal. Clean windows make an outsized difference in how a house looks from the street. Real estate agents pressure-wash driveways and clean windows before listing photos for a reason. It is one of the cheapest ways to make a home look well maintained.
The squeegee technique
The squeegee is what separates a streak-free result from a smeared mess. Here is the method professional window cleaners use:
- Wet the entire pane with your soapy scrubber. Do not skimp on water. A dry spot under the squeegee blade creates a streak.
- Place the squeegee blade flat against the glass at the top corner. Press firmly enough to maintain full contact across the blade.
- Pull straight down in one smooth motion. Do not stop mid-stroke.
- Wipe the blade with a clean, dry microfiber cloth after every pass.
- Overlap the previous pass by about an inch and pull down again.
- After the last pass, run a dry cloth along all four edges to catch the water the blade pushed to the sides.
Speed matters less than consistency. A slow, even pass beats a fast, wobbly one. If you see streaks forming, the blade is either dirty, nicked, or not making full contact with the glass. Wipe the blade, check the rubber for nicks, and try again.
Cleaning screens the right way
Screens catch pollen, dust, and insects all season long. Every time it rains, water washes that grime through the mesh and onto your glass. Cleaning windows without cleaning screens is like washing your car and then parking it under a muddy tree.
Remove each screen and lay it flat on a clean surface. Scrub both sides gently with soapy water and a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly with a hose and let the screen air dry completely before putting it back. Reinstalling a wet screen traps moisture against the glass and can leave water spots.
While the screens are out, check for holes or tears. A torn screen lets insects into the house and is cheap to repair. Most hardware stores will re-screen a frame for under $20, or you can buy a roll of screen material and a spline roller for about $15 and do it yourself in 10 minutes.
Seasonal timing
Clean your windows twice a year: once in spring and once in fall.
Spring cleaning removes the film that winter leaves behind — road salt mist, condensation residue, and pollen. Spring is also when you will spot any seal failures caused by winter temperature swings. Do this cleaning after the last frost but before pollen season peaks if you can.
Fall cleaning clears the summer buildup of dust, insect residue, and hard water spots from sprinklers. Do it before the first freeze so you are not working with cold water and numb hands. Fall is also a good time to check weatherstripping and caulking before winter drafts start.
If you live near a busy road, a coast, or in an area with heavy pollen, a third cleaning in midsummer keeps things manageable. Otherwise, twice a year is enough for most homes.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best time of day to clean windows?
- Early morning or late afternoon when the glass is in shade. Direct sunlight heats the glass and evaporates your cleaning solution before you can squeegee it off, which is the number one cause of streaks.
- Is a squeegee better than newspaper for streak-free windows?
- Yes. A squeegee removes water in a single controlled pass, which is faster and more consistent than wiping. Newspaper works in a pinch, but modern newspaper ink formulas leave more residue than they used to, and the paper falls apart on large panes.
- How do I clean second-floor windows without a ladder?
- Use an extension pole with a squeegee and scrubber attachment. Poles that reach 12 to 16 feet cover most two-story windows from the ground. If your windows tilt inward for cleaning, do it from inside instead. Avoid ladders on uneven ground or near power lines.
- Should I use vinegar or a commercial glass cleaner?
- Either works. A 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water cuts grease and hard water spots well. Commercial cleaners like Invisible Glass are more convenient and leave no residue. Avoid anything with ammonia on tinted windows because it breaks down the tint film over time.
Products you'll need
This section contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Ettore Professional Window Cleaning Kit
Squeegee + scrubber combo for streak-free results
Invisible Glass Premium Glass Cleaner
No-residue glass cleaner spray
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The Home Almanack may earn a commission on products purchased through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Never forget this task again
The Home Almanack tracks every maintenance task your home needs and reminds you automatically. Takes about 30 seconds to set up.
Get free reminders — never miss it againRelated guides
How to Clean Your Gutters
Clean your gutters in about 30 minutes with a ladder and garden hose. Do it twice a year to prevent water damage to your roof, walls, and foundation.
How to Lubricate Garage Door Hinges
Lubricate garage door hinges, rollers, and springs in 15 minutes to eliminate squeaks and prevent wear. Use silicone or lithium-based spray, never WD-40.
How to Aerate Your Lawn
Aerate your lawn once a year to break up compacted soil and promote deeper root growth. The job takes about an hour with a core aerator you can rent or buy.