How to Clean Windows Streak-Free

Streaky windows are almost always caused by residue, drying too fast, or the wrong cloth, not by how hard you scrub. Get those three things right and streak-free glass is quick and repeatable. Here is the method professional cleaners use.

What you need

• A bucket of warm water with a few drops of washing-up liquid.
• A rubber squeegee that fits the pane.
• Two microfibre cloths, one for washing and one dry for buffing.
• A soft brush or dry cloth to remove loose dust first.
• Optional: white vinegar for a cheap, effective solution.

Pick the right day

Avoid direct sunlight. On a hot, bright day the solution dries before you can clear it, and that is what leaves streaks. An overcast day, or working on the shaded side of the house, gives you time to finish each pane properly.

The step-by-step method

Work in order and do not rush the final buff.

• Dust first: brush away loose dirt and cobwebs so you are not smearing grit across the glass.
• Wash the frame: clean the sills and frames before the glass, so dirty water does not run back onto clean panes.
• Wet the glass: wipe the whole pane with your damp cloth or a sponge, loosening grime from top to bottom.
• Squeegee it off: use the technique below.
• Buff the edges: dry the frame and any missed edges with the second, dry microfibre cloth.

The squeegee technique

Start at the top corner and pull the squeegee down in one straight stroke, then wipe the blade on a dry cloth. Overlap each stroke slightly and always start on already-cleared glass. Finish with a single horizontal stroke along the bottom to catch any drips.

A cheap homemade solution

Mix one part white vinegar to ten parts warm water in a spray bottle. It cuts through grease and limescale without the film that some sprays leave behind. For very greasy kitchen windows, add a single drop of washing-up liquid.

Still getting streaks?

• Too much soap: a couple of drops is plenty. More leaves a film.
• A dirty cloth: a greasy or fabric-softened cloth smears. Wash microfibre without softener.
• Drying too fast: move out of the sun.
• Old paper towels: they shed lint. Use microfibre or scrunched newspaper instead.

Short on time, or facing tall or awkward windows? You can book a GlowSpark cleaner from £19 an hour to leave every pane crystal clear.