Although not as revolting as some household jobs, such as scouring the nasty toilet, window cleaning is repetitive and boring. While washing windows isn’t a walk in the park, it can be even more annoying if there are massive streaks, even when you are careful. Streaks are super annoying and hard to avoid in many cases. Furthermore, they frequently reveal themselves only when they catch the light just right, a phenomenon that typically will only show itself when you think you are finally complete. Ugh. Let’s look at how you can clean your windows and avoid streaks.
Reduce Suds
If you want to make a good lather, soap is the way to go. When misused, though, suds will leave unattractive stains over glass surfaces. It is important to remember that a little bit of soap goes a long way. It doesn’t take much soap to remove that filth, and applying too much may result in a cleaner that is too dense and may leave a streaky residue on the glass.
- Combine 2 quarts of water and 2 quarts of rubbing alcohol to make your batch.
- Then, to the mixture, add three drops of liquid dishwashing soap. Yes, only three. Remember, a little bit goes a long way.
- Experiment to find the mix that works best for you. Pour your mixture into a spray bottle, label it, and keep it away from children, as you would with any household cleaners.
Use of Distilled Water
Although it may appear to be the same to the naked eye, the quality of the water flowing from your tap can vary significantly from location to location. This isn’t a significant concern if you’re cleaning countertops or flooring, but because glass displays every tiny flaw, any pollutants will be pretty visible. In addition, because many of us dilute glass cleaners with water, this can significantly impact how clean your glass surfaces look after cleaning. When mixed with your cleaner, hard water, in particular, has a higher concentration of dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which will almost certainly result in an unattractive, streaky mess.
Consider using distilled water to dilute glass cleaner instead of tap water. Because it lacks all of the minerals found in tap water, it is less likely to leave streaky deposits on your bathroom mirror.
Utilize Vinegar
Vinegar is one of those all-purpose items that are difficult to live without and is a pantry staple for most people. It looks just as good on a salad as it does in your mirror, plus it costs practically nothing! It’s also all-natural, a big plus for folks who want to clean green. Distilled white vinegar is the best sort of vinegar for cleaning. It is non-toxic, antibacterial, and entirely safe for children, pets, skin, and all living things in general.
So, whether you’re out of your regular glass cleaner or simply seeking a less expensive alternative, white vinegar may perform wonders on your mirrors and windows.
- Mix it in a 50/50 ratio with warm water (distilled or soft H20 for optimal results).
- Fill a reusable spray bottle halfway, then spritz and wipe, as you would, with any other cleaner.
- If you still have streak issues, try 1 cup (236 mL) of water, 1 cup of rubbing alcohol, and one tablespoon of vinegar (the rubbing alcohol helps avoid streaks).
The odor of vinegar water is similar to that of common cleaners. The smell will linger for a short time before dissipating. If the smell of vinegar bothers you, save this type of streak-free cleaner for use on outdoor glass.
Buff it up!
Even if you do everything correctly, such as combining vinegar with purified water and wiping with newspaper, a frustrating streak or three is possible. In that situation, the next best thing to do is to buff!
A microfiber towel is ideal, although an ordinary rag would suffice in a pinch. Unless you like the look of lint on your windows, you can drop the paper towels and clean them like a grownup. When you’re through cleaning the glass, make sure the cloth you’re using is clean and dry, and buff it over the problematic area. Those bothersome streaks will vanish before your eyes like magic!
About Innovated Cleaning Services
Innovative Cleaning Services is a local, family-owned, and operated power washing and window cleaning services company dedicated to providing unparalleled commercial and residential cleaning services. All of our power washing vehicles have commercial-grade equipment with hot water up to 200 degrees and adjustable pressure to ensure we use the right pressure for the surface we are working on. Our goal is to minimize any property damage risk while providing a clean and sanitized solution. We understand that not all surfaces respond to heat and pressure the same, therefore we use our industry knowledge and experience to treat your home or office correctly. Call one of our 2 locations Innovative Cleaning in Glendale and our main location Innovative Cleaning in Phoenix
