How to Clean Household Windows

Household windows look better when they are clean. Dirty windows can make a big difference in how a room in your home looks. Windows should be cleaned at least twice a year, both the inside and outside should be done. Spring and fall are good times to schedule this household chore, when the weather is neither too hot nor too cold.

• Choose a cloudy day to clean windows. If not the sun will dry them before you have a chance to polish them.


• Wipe windows, sills and frames with a cloth to remove dust.


• Spray window with window cleaner or mix window cleaning liquid in a bucket of water and apply with a cloth or sponge.


• Wipe horizontally with a clean cloth on the inside of the window from top to bottom. Working from top to bottom prevents drips.


• Clean corners with cotton swabs.


• Use newspaper to dry window.


• For tall windows you may want to use a squeegee.


• Using a new chalkboard eraser over just washed windows will give them extra shine.


• Polish the windows with crumpled newspaper to give them an even better shine. The newspaper also leaves behind a film that helps to repel dirt.


• When washing windows be careful not to get the woodwork wet with window cleaner, it can ruin your woodwork.


• Use a squeegee and garden hose for the outside windows.


• On the outside work on cleaning the windows vertically instead of horizontally; this way if you have streaks when you are done, you will know if it is on the inside or outside.


• For a two story home  you can use window cleaners that attach to the garden hose. This will help you reach the higher windows.