Glass Window Cleaning Tips

Glass Window Cleaning Tips.

Which is better - Store-bought formula or the home-mixed variety?

The answer is an ongoing dilemma for those in search of the secret to squeaky-clean, streak-free windows.

Much like the paper-or-plastic debate, the answer to the great glass debate isn't quite crystal clear.

Some neatniks prefer the squeegee, wiping clean their usually secret formula with a cotton cloth or newspaper.

Others swear by the brand-name guns - wiped clean with paper towels.

Still others prefer home-mixed brews using combinations of vinegar, lemon, ammonia and dish-washing liquid, polishing the glass to perfection with balled-up newspapers.

So which is best?

The clear winner is actually a creative mix of the above: a homemade cleaner, a squeegee and cloth rag; polished to perfection with a piece of newspaper.

It's inexpensive, effective and, best of all, it takes just moments per surface from start to finish.

Of course, there's the right way to clean this surface (or anything for that matter), and then there's the easy way that should be figured into the debate mix.

After all, who always has time to do the full cleaning routine?

Here's a closer look at each option.

1 The Window Deep Cleaning Routine.

To do this dirty job right, start by vacuuming (with a brush and crevice attachment) inside panes and sills.

After all, what's the use of making your windows sparkle if they reflect the crud below?

Next, pick your potion. If you're devoted to labels, it's time to read the writing on the windows: This is one expense you can probably cut without sacrificing performance.

Home-brew recipes often perform as well or better than their brand-name counterparts in major studies. In fact, even plain tap water equaled or bested many store-bought brands in testing for a fraction of the cost.

Here's one simple yet effective lemon-cleaner recipe for lightly soiled windows and glass:

-- Mix 4 tablespoons of lemon juice in a gallon of water. This blend works especially well for those greasy kid prints.

Another is the equally effective vinegar variety cleaner:

-- Mix 1/4 cup vinegar in 3 cups warm water. It's terrific for quick and thorough cleaning of medium soils.

For serious (say, a season or more's worth of) grime, try this extra-strength ammonia formula:

-- Mix 1/2 cup ammonia, 1 pint rubbing alcohol and 1 teaspoon dish-washing liquid. Add enough warm water to make a gallon.

Whichever recipe you use, the next step is the same.

-- Place your mix of choice in a generous-size (gallon or larger) spray bottle, then lightly mist a clean, lint-free rag.

Don't tackle this chore on a sunny day, however - this will increase your work by increasing the streaks you'll inevitably leave behind.

-- Next, rub the solution across the pane, starting at the top and working your way down. The goal is to loosen surface dirt so you can whisk it easily away.

Be sure to wipe the sills of any drips in the process.

-- Grab the squeegee and start at the top, pulling the squeegee blade down, wiping away lifted dirt and grunge on a second dry, clean cloth between strokes. (Make each stroke slightly overlapping the last for a streak-free clean.)

Finish with a triumphant single stroke across the bottom.

For extra sparkle, polish the surface when it's nearly dry with a page of crumpled newspaper.

2 The Rush Job.

Now that you can do it right, here's how to do it fast:

-- Drop a capful of ammonia or a quick squirt of hand dishwashing detergent into your spray bottle. Add warm water.

Mist the window surface; and buff dry with a balled-up newspaper.