How to Wash Your Windows
No one likes to wash windows, but with the right tools and a little know-how, you can get the chore out of the way in no time.
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You Will Need
- Soft-bristled brush
- 2 tbsp. dish washing liquid
- 1/4 c. TSP
- 1/4 c. white vinegar
- Bucket
- 3 gal. hot water
- Gloves
- Sponge
- Squeegee
- Extension pole
- Lint-free cloths
- All-purpose cleaner
Steps
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Step 1
Choose the right time of day
Wash your windows during a time of the day when direct sunlight isn't shining on the windows. The heat from sunlight can prematurely dry the cleaning solution and cause spots and streaks.
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Step 2
Brush the frames
Brush the windows and frames, including any hinges and sills, with the soft-bristled brush to remove cobwebs and debris.
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Step 3
Mix solution
Mix the dish soap, TSP, and vinegar in a bucket with the hot water. Wear gloves, as TSP can cause skin irritations.
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Step 4
Wash the window
Wet the sponge in the solution and scrub the dirt off of the window, being careful not to get the frame wet.
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Step 5
Hold the squeegee
Hold the squeegee in your right hand with the blade vertically in the upper left corner of the window. Draw the blade horizontally across the window to the right, arcing the blade to come down horizontally on the right side of the window.
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Wipe the blade of the squeegee with the sponge before you start -- a dry blade will skip across the window.
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Step 6
Make another pass
Position the squeegee vertically on the left side of the window, slightly overlapping the first pass, and arc down to the bottom right side of the window. Continue squeegeeing until the entire window is done.
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Wipe the blade with a lint-free cloth in between passes.
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Step 7
Use the extension pole
Wash high windows that you can't reach by using the extension pole, making horizontal passes from left to right.
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The squeegee was invented by Ettore Steccone in Oakland, California, in 1936.
