I got so darn good a window cleaning that folks used to walk into my glass at the restaurant I worked at. In fact, it became such a problem that we had to put a sculpture in from the patio panes just so that the diners stopped hurting themselves. So just how did I manage to get the glass so clean that it looked invisible?
Well, it was many years ago now when I was working in Abu Dhabi. I remember seeing a native cleaning the windows with crunched up newspaper and boy did they sparkle. When I got home I tried it out and the results were amazing. I've been cleaning windows and mirrors in this way ever since. However, it's not the easiest way to clean glass and so will not suite everyone. I've given a bunch of other useful tips on how to get your glass gleaming.
The first and most important tip I can give regards window cleaning is to prepare your glass prior to washing. This is especially important with the outsides. I've always used a soft dry brush to remove loose grit, dirt and cobwebs. Once I've dusted the glass and sill area, it's time for the wash.
When washing, only use clean water. Okay, so everyone starts off with clean water, but when doing the exterior you need to change the water regular. If you do not change your water it may contain grit particles, and they will mark your glass. Ever seen all those surface scratches and scores when the sun hits? Well, this is because folks are wiping away old dirty water from their glass. Keeping your water fresh and clean is the key here.
There are many excellent products for making your washed windows sparkle nowdays and most of them are pretty good. It's important to find one you like, such as Windowlean, and stick with it. Some of the cheaper products will leave smears and no matter how many times you wipe, and you'll just end up pushing the smears around. I often finish with a spray mist so that I can get into the corners. Remember that the corners harbor most dirt particles so be careful with scratches here.
If you can not seem to rid the smears and your windows look constantly greasy, apply a little vinegar either to your water or directly onto the glass. I usually have a vinegar water mix in a spray bottle and dry it off using the newspaper technique. Greasy looking windows are usually a result of neglect, as glass that is cleaned regularly does not usually have this problem.
Avoid cleaning your windows in direct sunlight, especially under a warm sun. The water will dry before you have time to wipe it off and it will be a nightmare trying to race against the hot drying glass. Additionally, when wiping your windows, start at the top and either go left to right, right to left, or both. This technique will reduce streaking and lessen the work involved overall.
Clean your window sills with a damp cloth sprayed with a little alcohol and they'll come up looking a treat.
Getting clean and shiny windows can be both easy or difficult depending on the state of the glass to begin with and the frequency of which they are cleaned. If you do your windows regularly the task will become easier and you'll be the envy of all your lazy neighbors.