Many homeowners use newspapers or overpriced blue cleaner and paper towels to clean their windows, but these are not the best ways to get sparkling, streak-free results.
For the best results, use a squeegee after cleaning with your preferred solution. Also, avoid using paper towels, as they can leave lint on your window surfaces. If you’re in Omaha and want professional results without the hassle, consider reaching out to a trusted window cleaning Omaha service to ensure your windows shine like new.
Baking Soda
Baking soda, that omnipresent household staple with a thousand and one uses ranging from baking cakes to cleaning pots, can also be used for removing tough scuff marks on windows. Sodium bicarbonate can help remove soap scum, grease, or sea spray residue (especially useful for those with coastal homes). It is non-toxic and free of harmful chemicals or fumes making it a safer alternative to chemical window cleaners. It is an excellent abrasive for scrubbing away stubborn dirt without scratching glass or frames. To use baking soda to clean your windows, mix it with equal parts water until it reaches a paste-like consistency, and apply to the surface of your glass. Scrub the area and then rinse thoroughly. This method is particularly effective for uPVC or wooden frames as it is unlikely to damage the material.
Vinegar is another great natural cleaning product, as it can dissolve stains and leave your windows looking clean and new. It can be used as a general window cleaner, or it can be mixed with baking soda to create a more powerful solution for scrubbing hard-to-remove grime, such as shower scum, grease, or sea spray. To use this combination, mix 480ml of white vinegar with 60ml of water in a clean and empty spray bottle. Then spritz the window with this solution, allowing it to soak in for about 15 minutes, then wipe it with a cloth or paper towel, scrubbing where necessary to lift and wash away residue. Rinse the windows and allow them to dry thoroughly to prevent streaking.
While baking soda and vinegar can be used on their own to clean your windows, they are even more effective when combined with a little bit of Castile soap or rubbing alcohol. In a clean spray bottle, combine the ingredients until they are well-mixed, then spritz the mixture onto your windows and wipe them down with a cloth or microfiber towel for a streak-free finish.
To clean your window tracks, sprinkle baking soda over the track and then add some distilled white vinegar to make it fizz. This should be enough to loosen up and then scrub away any grime and dirt. The result should be a sparkling clean window and track!
Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural cleaner that works wonders on windows. Its acidic content helps dissolve mineral deposits and grime present on window surfaces. It also leaves fewer streaks compared to commercial glass cleaners. Vinegar can be used alone or mixed with other cleaning ingredients for a more effective clean. The most common way to use vinegar for window cleaning is by combining it with water in a spray bottle. This solution can be applied to a microfiber cloth or sponge for a streak-free shine.
Vinegar has been used for millennia as a prized cooking ingredient, a powerful medicine and even as an effective cleaning agent. It is considered a safe and environmentally friendly cleaning product that is capable of providing high standard results in comparison to other cleaners. Interestingly, the word vinegar is thought to have originated from the French words vin aigre, meaning sour wine. Vinegar is produced using a two-step process (alcoholic fermentation and acetification) that begins with yeasts converting sugar into alcohol. This alcohol then gets converted to acetic acid by bacteria.
The best part about vinegar is that it’s readily available and inexpensive. Unlike most other cleaning products, it’s also completely natural and non-toxic. This makes it a great option for individuals who are looking to reduce their environmental footprint or simply want to avoid the harsh chemicals found in many commercial glass cleaners.
Aside from its natural benefits, the only downside to vinegar is that it has a pungent smell. This is particularly a problem in small spaces where it may become overpowering. However, it’s easy to counteract this issue by opening the windows and wearing rubber gloves during cleaning. Adding essential oils to the mixture can also help mask the odor.
When applying the vinegar mixture to windows, it’s important to work quickly so that the glass can dry before it dries on the surface. A squeegee is an ideal tool for this purpose since it’s efficient and saves time. Start from the top and wipe the entire surface of the window, paying special attention to any stubborn areas that have built up grime. Once the entire window is covered, take a dry cloth and buff it to remove any remaining streaks.
Dishwasher Soap
This common household product can remove stubborn stains like mildew and mold, while helping to prevent streaks. In a pinch, you can also use rubbing alcohol to clean stubborn spots on glass. Add a few drops of the solvent to a damp cloth and wipe away. For best results, start by prepping your windows before cleaning them with a dry microfiber cloth to prevent dust from transferring onto the panes and causing scratches. You can do this by drawing back any drapes and wiping down window tracks, frames, and ledges.
When shopping for a dish soap to use in your cleaning solution, you want one that creates lots of rich, silky suds and can cut grease well. Look for a biodegradable formula to reduce your impact on the environment, and avoid fragrances if you’re sensitive to them. You can even find options that are vegan and gluten-free if you have allergies or dietary restrictions.
Some of our favorite options include L’Avant Collective’s eye-catching bottle, which not only looks beautiful on your counter but cuts grease like a champ. It’s also made with plant-based ingredients and has a fresh linen scent that isn’t overpowering. Plus, the glass bottle can be reused and the refills come in a pouch to reduce plastic waste.
Another great option is Thrive Market’s dishwasher soap, which has a pleasing carrottop-like smell and is both biodegradable and hypoallergenic. It’s also free of dyes, phosphates, and parabens. We found the soap has a good glide and dries quickly without leaving residue behind. The only drawback is that it doesn’t fight oil as well as other options, so if you have greasy windows be sure to rinse your cleaner thoroughly before drying them.
If you’re looking for a product that will keep your windows streak-free longer, try Titan Labs Glass Gleam, which our Expert Review Board member calls “amazing.” It doesn’t quite cut grease as well as dish soap, but it does have a good glide and dries quickly on the glass.
When using a chemical-based cleaning solution, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to dilute it properly. If you don’t, you could end up with a toxic solution that can be harmful to your health and the environment.
Water
When you clean your windows, it’s important to use a good cleaning solution to get rid of the grime and build up that makes them look dull. While many people purchase specialized sprayable cleaning solutions to wash their windows, you can also create your own solution using water. In fact, professional window cleaners often mix their own washing solution because it’s more economical and does not contain unnecessary chemicals.
Water is a natural cleaning agent and a safe alternative to chemicals that are harmful for the environment and your health. When used properly, water is very effective in the cleaning of your windows and can make them shine like new. For best results, use cold water instead of warm water as hot water evaporates faster and leaves behind minerals that can leave streaks on the glass.
In addition, tap water is an environmentally friendly choice since it does not require any additional packaging or transportation and is readily available. It also eliminates the need for the storage and handling of potentially harmful chemical cleaning agents, which can save you money and reduce your environmental impact.
Cleans Streaks
Most people notice that their cleaned windows have water spots or streaks on them. This is usually caused by the minerals that are dissolved in tap water, which can leave streaks when it evaporates. Pure water, on the other hand, is free of minerals and does not leave streaks when it evaporates. You can get pure water by putting tap water through a purification process such as reverse osmosis or deionization.
Another advantage of using pure water is that it dissolves the dirt and grime effectively and washes it away, leaving a spotless finish. It also helps to prevent residue on the window, which can cause a hazy filter over the windows and diminish their appearance. In contrast, pure water leaves a shiny and clean finish that will enhance the look of your home and provide unobstructed views. When used in combination with a quality squeegee, pure water is the best option for achieving streak-free windows.