How to wash windows without streaks is a question that interests all housewives. Dusty, dirty glass can ruin the impression of any room interior. Street and home dust, snow and rain leave untidy streaks and stains, which can be dealt with in several ways.
Clean windows are not so difficult to do, the main thing is to know how to do it right
Window cleaning tool
How to wash plastic or wooden windows is up to each housewife to decide for herself. It is advisable to carry out the work by first preparing the necessary tools.
It is recommended to wear rubber gloves for cleaning, including washing windows.
Rag, napkin, shaving and more
You can wash windows with rags, napkins or a special tool. The main requirement is a lint-free surface. The following materials are suitable:
- linen;
- microfiber;
- cotton;
- spandex, etc.
You can also use sponges. Convenient are those that have 2 sides made of different materials: soft on one side and hard on the other.
A squeegee is a convenient device, especially for washing inconvenient places. A special mop with a long handle will help remove excess moisture from the windows. This device is especially convenient when washing large windows. You need to work with this tool carefully, moving it mainly horizontally, starting from the top of the glass. For severe dirt, you may need a scraper with a rubber attachment.
The telescopic handle will help you wash even large window openings
It is recommended to wash those areas of glass that cannot be reached by hand using brushes with a telescopic handle. This allows you to wash even the doors that do not open.
The following can be used for polishing glass:
- napkins;
- paper towels;
- newspapers.
Advice! To remove stickers on glass, factory film and paint stains from the outside, it is convenient to use a special scraper with a blade.
Magnetic brushes
One of the innovative solutions is the use of magnetic brushes. They allow you to clean much faster, since 2 planes are processed simultaneously.
Externally, it is a fairly simple design, which consists of 2 brushes that are held under the influence of a built-in magnet. This device also has a drawback - the corners are not washed well enough; they will have to be washed separately.
Magnetic brushes
Advice! When purchasing such a device, it is important to make sure that the magnet power declared by the manufacturer is really enough to wash a window with three or two panes of glass in a double-glazed unit.
Windshield wiper Karcher
Windshield wiper designs may vary depending on the specific model. The device includes a comfortable handle, nozzles, and a water tank. Working with a glass cleaner, you can clean the window efficiently and quickly. The disadvantage of this method is the fairly high price of the device.
What to do if stains appear
Way | Description |
Soap solution | Prepare according to the recipe outlined above in the article. First, wash the glass with this solution, then immediately with water without additives. Wipe with paper or microfiber. |
Ammonia, salt, vinegar | Use according to the methods specified in the article. All products are very effective in removing stains. |
Paper | The glass is washed with clean water, and then wiped dry with paper. Napkins, newspapers, and toilet paper are suitable. |
Microfiber | If you simply rub glass with stains with a damp microfiber, they will disappear. And the napkin itself does not leave any traces. |
Alcohol-based window cleaner | Detergent with alcohol will help with seemingly indelible stains. The same inexpensive “Mr. Muscle” will do the job in a few minutes. But it’s better to wipe the window with paper to prevent new marks from appearing. |
Household chemicals for cleaning windows
Manufacturers of household chemicals offer a wide range of special preparations. They are conveniently packaged, equipped with sprayers and give a good effect.
The most popular means include:
- Mister Muscle;
- Clin:
- Cif;
- Sanita;
- Help and others.
Household chemicals for cleaning glass are easy to use and give good results.
These preparations are intended directly for washing glass. They are well distributed over a vertical surface and do not leave drips or streaks when wiped with a napkin.
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in installing windows and doors.
Polish the glass until it shines
Apply glass cleaner to a reusable cloth and wipe the surface in a circular motion, moving from the edges to the center. Then go over the glass with a microfiber cloth to remove excess product and streaks. Repeat if you didn’t get it clean the first time.
To clean the outside of the window, use a telescopic or magnetic brush. Remember your safety. If you live high up and the window is large and cannot be opened, it would be better to seek the services of cleaning services or industrial climbers.
Folk window cleaning products
Popular home recipes that answer the question of how to clean windows are based on the use of readily available products. Requirements for folk remedies: high-quality cleansing without the use of excessive effort.
Ammonia: the most universal remedy
This product is a universal cleaning product. It can be used not only for washing glass, but also for caring for frames and window sills. It is not recommended to combine alcohol with warm water, as this may reduce the effectiveness of the product used.
Procedure for preparing window cleaner:
- Pour 2 liters of clean water into a container.
- Add 2 tablespoons of ammonia to the water.
- Stir thoroughly.
For your information! Ammonia is a component that is included in many purchased household chemicals.
If the prepared solution is poured into a container with a spray bottle, it will be more convenient to work
Chalk: for shine and shine
To give the surface shine and shine, ordinary construction chalk in powder form can be used. Before use, it is diluted according to the following proportion: 1 part chalk to 3 parts water. The resulting mixture is applied using a napkin. When the composition has dried on the surface to be cleaned, pass over it with a dry cloth to remove the white chalky coating.
Vinegar: as a single product and in combination with other components
Vinegar has a good ability to effectively remove stains. There are several options for using it:
- Dilute a few tablespoons of vinegar in water.
- Use with other ingredients – chalk, honey.
Advice! Particularly stubborn stains can be removed even with pure, undiluted table vinegar.
After washing, the window must be wiped dry.
Using vegetables for harvesting
You can solve the question of how to wash windows simply by using potatoes or onions. And clean surfaces that have been infested with flies, perhaps wiping them with a cut of an onion. After washing off the onion juice with water, wipe everything with a dry cloth.
Raw potatoes are another product that is often used in cleaning. For high-quality cleaning, it is enough to cut the tuber in half and treat the contaminated areas with the cut side.
Procedure
By adhering to a certain order, you can clean windows efficiently and correctly without streaks:
- Wash the window frame. Remove remaining water and foam. Wipe dry.
- Pour clean water into the container and rinse the glass with a napkin. Use a scraper to drive the dirt down and remove. This will remove the top layer of contamination.
- Replace dirty water.
- Wash the surface using the selected method. First outside, then inside.
- Rinse off with clean water. Wipe with a scraper or newspaper.
- Wash the blinds and window sill.
Window cleaning steps
In order to wash windows quickly and efficiently, you must act sequentially:
- Wash the frames so that clean glass is not in danger of being stained while cleaning the frames.
- The first cleaning, which allows you to remove the main layer of dust and dirt. This can be done using, for example, a soap solution.
- Clean wash.
- Adding shine, eliminating unwanted stains and marks from washing.
Advice! To prevent windows from freezing, they must be treated with an aqueous salt solution. And to repel flies, treating frames with a weak aqueous solution of vinegar is suitable.
Window glass is washed after the frame
Cleaning stains on glass
Despite the abundance of modern tools and devices, many housewives still do not know how to properly wash windows without leaving streaks and untreated areas. There are several secrets about how you can make the process of washing windows easier, even after renovation. To do this you need:
- maintain a clear sequence;
- carry out cleaning during the day in good lighting;
- avoid circular movements.
To clean the inner surface, you need to perform movements from top to bottom. When processing the outer surface of windows, you need to make movements from right to left. This technique will allow you to determine which side of the glass the work was done poorly.
A poorly cleaned window prevents sufficient light from entering, which negatively affects vision and mood.
Features of washing PVC windows
Metal-plastic windows, unlike wooden ones, are more demanding to maintain. The smooth surface of plastic and glass cannot be cleaned with abrasive agents, as this can lead to defects - scratches.
The surface of window sills is very often not smooth, but rough. Uneven texture is more difficult to clean from dirt. To do this, it is recommended to use detergents in powder form or a soap solution.
When choosing what to use for cleaning windows, unless there is an urgent need, you should avoid the following potent drugs:
- acid;
- solvent (including acetone);
- bleach.
PVC windows require careful handling of frames.
In addition to washing frames and glass, attention must also be paid to mosquito nets. They are removed for the winter, and in the warm season, when they become dirty, they are washed in the shower using a cloth. Dusty, dirty blinds can also ruin the effect of a washed window. It is also advisable to clean them in a manner suitable for them, taking into account the properties of the material and the type of construction.
Advice! Window washing can be combined with prevention - lubricating hinges, treating the seal with glycerin.
Clearing the grid
A solution of dishwashing detergent (2 tbsp per 1 liter of water) will help you quickly clean the mosquito net. Additionally, you will need a soft brush and a dry cloth.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Lightly beat the prepared solution until foam forms;
- remove the structure and place it in a shower stall or bathtub;
- apply foam to it with a brush and leave (15 minutes);
- brush the mesh effortlessly;
- wash off the soap solution with a shower;
- remove moisture with a dry cloth.
It is not recommended to wash off the foam with a strong jet; the mesh can be damaged.
The video will show you how to quickly tidy up your mosquito net:
How to clean windows after renovation work
In cases where during the repair process construction materials got on the glass, the question arises: how and with what to wash the windows? If renovation work is just being planned, the best way to prepare the windows is to cover them with paper. Otherwise, you will have to wash the surface.
Cleaning glass after repair can be very difficult - and you will need a separate product to remove each type of stain.
Ways to solve the problem depend on what exactly the glass is stained with:
Problem | Solutions |
Polyurethane foam on glass | "Solvent 646" |
Nitroenamel | Acetone |
Enamel | |
Masking tape and its remains | Vegetable oil, turpentine, drying oil |
Cement | Phosphoric acid |
Acrylic paint | White alcohol, Gasoline |
Whitewash | Cif |
It is advisable to use solvents with open windows and good ventilation of the room.
It's better not to wash
Means | Why not |
Powders | Crystals and grains leave scratches. You can use abrasives, but only after completely dissolving them in water. |
Hard sponges and brushes | Similar problem with scratches. |
Solvents | They do not harm the glass, but they do damage the plastic glass unit. If you cannot do without a solvent, then it is better to take white spirit and cover the PVC elements with tape while working. |
Store-bought products without alcohol content | Such drugs leave stains. |
Aggressive chemicals not intended for windows | Plumbing and other similar products are highly effective, but can leave their own residue on the glass. And again the plastic deteriorates. |
Preventing contamination
To make scale, plaque, fingerprints and other contaminants much less likely to appear on your windows, you can use:
- Glycerol. It is mixed with water in equal proportions and sprayed onto the glass. After drying, a “film” is formed to which dust does not stick.
- Ammonia. They also pour it into water and spray it on the glass. The layer retains shine and repels grease particles, which is useful for the kitchen.
- Washing in cloudy weather. The sun's rays cause the moisture on the windows to dry out much faster, which is why those stains appear. And when there is no sun, you can easily wipe the glass.
- Sprays for auto glass. In extreme cases, this remedy will do. Sprays from the brands RainBrella, K2, Helpix, Shell and others protect glass from dirt and fogging. Inside the apartment this will only be needed during renovations, but outside, especially in winter, it won’t hurt.
And during repairs (it would be good - and general cleaning) it is worth gluing a protective film to the glass. It is easily removed and leaves no marks, and is sold in industrial stores and on the Internet.