[NL] Washing windows without streaks: step by step
6min read
22/10/2024
Washing your windows without leaving streaks can be a real challenge. Luckily for you, there are lots of tips and tricks to easily proceed like a real pro. With RAJA, choose the right cleaning material and apply our advice at your home or office for a crystal-clear cleaning result.
1. The weather is your best friend
As a first tip, we recommend looking outside. Is it raining? Then it’s pretty pointless to start washing your windows. In fact, the same goes for too sunny weather. The power and heat of the sun can cause your window cleaner to dry too quickly. And that leaves those stubborn streaks we want to avoid. To sum up: it’s best to wash your windows on a dry and preferably cloudy day.
2. Window cleaner: the foundation of streak-free window washing
A good window cleaner is the absolute basis for your cleaning. This cleaning product loosens dirt and removes grease like no other. All that is left behind is a streak-free shine. And that, of course, is what we want!
There are lots of top brands of window cleaners to choose from. You may even decide to use marseille soap or brown soap – they often work just as effectively. Most window cleaners you will come across are quick-drying and have strong degreasing power. You can buy them in bottles of up to 5 litres, sprays, aerosols or even wipes. More and more of these products are also made from sustainable ingredients, making them a great and equally effective alternative to traditional cleaning products.
3. Washing your windows with the right equipment
With the right equipment, you can wash your windows smoothly and without streaks or scratches. It is best to keep the following items to hand.
- Fluff-free microfibre cloth: indispensable during the preparation process. This is necessary to remove the worst of the dust and dirt from the window before you start washing in.
- Soaker or sponge: this is what you will use to wet your windows.
- Window wipers: you can use this cleaning material to wipe the dirt off the window and collect dirty water. Soft and flexible window squeegees are suitable for low temperatures and relatively uneven surfaces. A stiff window wiper is recommended for higher temperatures and for very large even surfaces. Finally, you can use a cleaning cloth to wipe away excess dirty water.
- Chamois cloth: this makes it much easier to wipe your windows dry at the end of the cleaning process.
- Telescopic handle: use this type of handle to smoothly wash a large batch of windows. Even without a ladder, you can easily reach high surfaces with this.
- Glass scraper: with a scraper, you can master the most stubborn stains. You can effortlessly remove dirt, but also paint or glue. Remember to always use a glass scraper at the beginning of your cleaning process, i.e. before you start streak-free washing.
4. What is the best technique?
After selecting the right window cleaner and cleaning equipment, you can follow the steps below for perfect streak-free washing of all your windows.
4.1 Prepare the glass
Before cleaning the glass itself, we recommend carefully dusting the window frame (i.e. the edges of your window) with a cloth. Start on the inside. This way, you avoid the risk of dirt from the window frame reappearing on the glass further on during the cleaning process.
Next, place an absorbent cloth (A) in the bottom corner of the window to be cleaned. This cloth will retain excess dirt water during the cleaning process. Keep a second absorbent cloth (B) handy to wipe your window squeegee after each movement. You can put this cloth over your shoulder or put it in the back pocket of your work trousers.
4.2 Wet the glass and remove dirt
For step two, you may add the window cleaner. Apply the window cleaner of your choice to the glass surface. While doing so, start from the top. Rub the glass well and lather with a simple sponge, microfibre cloth or soaker. To avoid drips, rub with a cloth over 3 or 4 centimetres along the four edges of the glass (top, bottom, left, right).
4.3 Use the window wiper to finish
Hold the window wiper horizontally and start at the top corner of the window, flush against the window frame. Press the rubber blade against the window and work downwards in a smooth motion. Make sure you just barely touch the window frame at the bottom of the window, so the dirty water cannot run off too quickly.
Dry the squeegee with each movement with a cloth (B). Reposition the wiper at the top of the window and finish a new strip. Allow a few centimetres of overlap with the previous strip you wiped. No dirty water or window cleaner should remain between two strips. Now repeat these steps until the entire window is wiped clean.
In a final step, briefly scrape horizontally at the bottom of the window until you reach the absorbent cloth (A). This should catch the last drops of dirty water. If necessary, wipe around the window with another cloth or mop.
5. Washing your windows using the ‘American method’
The ‘American’ cleaning technique involves wiping the whole window in one go, without lifting the window squeegee. This technique is faster, but also requires a bit more experience if you really want to master it. How exactly does this technique work?
After you have completely moistened the window with the window cleaner, place the squeegee vertically up to the top left of the window frame (or right if you are left-handed). With a smooth motion, now pull the window wiper vertically to the right, along the edge of the window frame along, without lifting the wiper. Once you are right, turn your wrist 180° downwards and now sweep the window wiper in the opposite direction across the window, sweeping away a new strip overlapping a few centimetres with the previous strip.
No cleaning product should be left on the window between these two strips. Continue like this until you reach the absorbent cloth (A) at the bottom of the window which will catch the last dirty water. Wipe the glass again with a clean cloth (B) to remove the last traces of the window wiper. For a perfect streak-free result, we recommend using a microfibre cloth or chamois cloth for this purpose.
