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If you have a lot of windows on your home, cleaning them can be a big chore. There is absolutely no shame in hiring a professional to come and clean your windows for you. There are many times that I hire someone to clean my windows when things get busy. I’m not a martyr – life is busy and sometimes you just need help! But, there are times when I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and do the job myself or take the time to teach my children the value of hard work. You don’t have to think of it as all or nothing. Do it when you can and hire out when it makes sense.

When you’re ready to do it yourself, it helps to know how to do it well!

How To Clean Your Windows Like A Professional

Years ago, I asked a professional window cleaner teach me the tools of the trade. I’ll never forget how easy he made it seem! It really does make sense to do it the professional way if you are cleaning all the windows in your house at once.

Tools You’ll Need:

• Microfiber Blade cover on an extension pole
• Squeegee Blade
• De-greasing soap (I use Shaklee’s Basic H)
• Bucket or Large Dish to Mix Solution
• Microfiber Cloth

Step 1 – Mix Your Solution.

You know You’ve got a good mix when there are a small amount of bubbles formed with any of the soaps you choose to use. This is about 1 teaspoon of Basic H2 and a casserole dish of water.

I didn’t want to buy a special dish or bucket for window-washing, so I used something I had that would let me dip the microfiber covered blade into – a 9×13 glass dish works great. I think it is easiest to carry it all around in a laundry basket. Have I ever mentioned how much I love Laundry Baskets? They are my favorite container/ most versatile container in the whole house. The towel at the bottom of the basket is to cushion the glass dish and to absorb any drips.

Step 2 – Time To Wash

Dip the blade in the solution and then wash your windows. I found that downward strokes were the most efficient way to clean the whole window quickly, especially the tops of the windows. This part should go fast!

Step 3 – Squeegee The Window Dry

Switch the tool tip of your extension pole to the squeegee blade. Start with the blade at the top of the window and pull down. Do this top to bottom motion moving left to right.

Then Turn the Squeegee blade sideways, and pull it left to right. Do this left to right motion moving top to bottom. When you are done the window should be dry and very clean!

Step 4 – Wipe the Window Sill

Before you are done with this side of the window, you need to clean up the moisture that will have gathered in the window sill. Not only is it important to wipe up this moisture, this is a great opportunity to clean the window sill itself! If you are cleaning lots of windows and your cloth becomes too wet, trade out for a dry cloth.

Step 5: Repeat on the other side!

You can do all the inside windows and then go around and do the outside, or do one whole window at a time. Your window won’t look fully clean until both sides are clean, but even one clean side can make a big difference.

How To Properly Wash Windows With A Cloth

There are plenty of times you just need to wash the windows in your kitchen or your living room and not necessarily the entire house. For those times, it may be convenient to just use window solution and a cloth. There are tricks to doing that properly!

Tools You’ll Need:

• Window Solution of your choice (I use Shaklee’s Basic H2 in the Window dilution, which is 1-2 drops per 16 oz. of water.)
• Microfiber Cloth

Step 1 – Spray a Light Mist

Now, this picture may be deceiving because the window looks like it has more moisture on it because of the rainy day, but there are only a few sprays of the window cleaner on the window.

Tip #1 to avoid Streaks: When you spray too much cleaner on the window, it makes it too wet and then it dries with streaks! So if the window is really dirty and you have to spray a lot to clean it, then you have to use a really dry cloth and dry it very well.

Tip #2 to avoid Streaks: Don’t clean your windows in direct sunlight, because it will dry the cleaning solution too fast and cause streaks.

Step 2 – Wash Top to Bottom on one side, Left to Right on the other side

When you wash with a cloth, wipe Top to Bottom on one side, then switch to Left to Right when you wash the other side. This really helps you see which side of the window the streak is happening or if there is still a spot on the window, it is easier to figure out where it is happening.

Step 3 – Wipe Down The Window Sill

Always finish each side of the window by wiping down the window sill. This allows you to clean off any moisture that has gathered there, as well as give it a good cleaning.

There you go – washing windows professionally or properly isn’t very hard. They can take some time to do, but you can definitely do it! I hope you’re really enjoying seeing some of these surfaces shine as you’re going through your spring cleaning!

From my home to yours,
Mary

You can find the Shaklee Cleaners I use and tools I recommend in my Cleaning Must Haves.