Window cleaning isn’t everyone’s favorite household chore. But for most, chances are, it’s no fun because you’re wasting time with classic window cleaning mistakes.
Knowing how to clean windows is half the skill. But overestimating or underestimating the advice in all these “how to clean windows” guides is the other half.
Keeping your windows clean often requires knowing what can hinder your progress, so here’s our list of top tips for avoiding common mistakes.
1. Not Dusting Beforehand
One way to ensure that you have a clean window is to first dust the window. Window cleaning is important for the health of your home and family.
The best way to avoid a dirty window is to dust often. This will allow you to see any dirt or other debris before starting your actual window cleaning process. This will also help prevent streaking.
If you live a busy lifestyle, consider hiring a professional who can assist with these tasks on a regular basis.
2. Using the Wrong Cleaning Spray
The purpose of using window cleaner is to remove dirt and grime from glass, not to leave streaks or bubbles. Using a cleaner that is too harsh can cause streaks and other issues with your windows’ appearance.
Most households have various cleaning supplies available in the kitchen or bathroom. Still, not all of them work well on windows. You specifically need a glass cleaner for clear, streak-free results.
Allowing dust, dirt, and other forms of airborne particles to build upon the windows can cause the glass to streak or create a haze underneath the glass, severely affecting its appearance. The act of dusting your windows will not only prevent smudges, but also prevent the need for repetitive cleaning, saving you time.
3. Using Dirty or Cheap Cleaning Materials
As with most jobs, using poor-quality tools and materials will only result in poor results. You can’t expect your cleaning solution to do the job of your paper towels, nor could you expect your paper towels to do the job of a squeegee.
When cleaning your windows regularly, buying microfiber cloths for cleaning windows is a must because they’ll save you time and money when dusting. But these have a tendency to get dirty very quickly. Not only that, but most people forget to wash them because they’re normally used as a quick fix.
If you use the wrong cleaning products, it may result in your window becoming streaky. It may also get cloudy. And, of course, a poor quality spray will leave a residue and prove that you get what you pay for when it comes to cleaning products.
4. Focusing on too Large an Area at Once
When you’re cleaning windows, over-focusing is a common mistake. Focus on one spot at a time so that you can see what’s happening and make changes to the cleaning process if they’re needed.
There are many reasons for this. One is that if you get distracted by a more urgent task, it’s easy to forget what you’ve done, and you’ll find yourself having to reclean the entire window.
Another reason is drying. If you spray an area too large, the water will begin to dry before you’ve had a chance to clean it, especially in temperate climates. So it’s very much “less is more” with cleaning products.
5. Using Too Much Spray
When you clean windows with spray, it’s easy to get carried away and apply too much. This can dry out your windows, causing streaks.
It also makes it harder for you to see what you’re doing. Using the right amount of product will help prevent any over-spray, which creates streaky windows.
Ensure that your windows are as clear as possible. But pushing things too far will only result in an ineffective cleaning session. The end results are windows that look worse than when you started cleaning them.
By washing your windows, you can ensure that all dirt and debris are removed from the window before wiping it clean with a product like Windex or a squeegee. This will help remove any small dirt particles in hard-to-reach spots and prevent them from becoming trapped by your cleaning solution.
6. Improper Drying Technique
An important step to remember is the correct window cleaning technique for drying windows. To assure they don’t fog, get streaks, or built-up dust, it’s key to use a squeegee rather than a rag.
Microfiber cloths are better for dusting the window rather than cleaning. That’s because they’re designed to generate static electricity, which in turn means it picks up dust particles easier. Using a sweeper instead of a microfiber cloth will also prevent streaks from forming.
7. Forgetting Windows Aren’t 100% Glass
One of the most common mistakes made by inexperienced window cleaners is paying more attention to the glass than the frames. All of a sudden, you’re left with a gleaming window and dusty frames with fingerprints all over them.
So remember to clean the frames and handles, as well as the glass. If suitable, open the windows and clean the gaps inside the window frame too. But of course, don’t do this when it’s raining!
8. Forgetting to Clean the Glass Outside
One of the best parts about cleaning your windows is hearing the sound of falling water and seeing the droplets on your window. But if you neglect to clean outside the glass, the wind can get in, causing them to fog up.
This not only creates streaks on your window but also makes it hard for you to see what you’re doing. This is easy to avoid by wiping rain off the glass first before reaching in with a dusting cloth or squeegee.
One of the Biggest Window Cleaning Mistakes Is Not Hiring a Maid
Let’s face it. Are you honestly going to attempt to try this at home?
Suppose your time is better spent running your own business or looking after friends and family. In that case, hiring a maid might be a better decision than spending all your time and money wondering if you’ve made some classic window cleaning mistakes.
So get in touch today and see if we can help you see clearly once more!