I figured this out years ago because I am short and we have lots of windows that need to be washed using a step ladder. Buy an inexpensive liquid dishwasher detergent (for a dishwasher) that has a "sheeting action" in the soap. Fill a bucket with warm water and stir in 1 cup of dishwashing detergent (for a dishwasher).
Go outside and set up your garden hose for rinsing the windows. First rinse the window with clear water. Then using a sponge mop on a handle dipped into the detergent, wash your window. Follow with a clean water rinse and let dry. The sheeting action of the detergent will leave the windows streak free.
By Shirley Sackman from Vicksburg, MI
I know that everyone who loves this particular site will love this tip. For cleaning mirrors, etc. I don't bother making any concoction; I just use my empty bottle of all purpose cleanser (that I always keep in a spray bottle anyway).
Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean.
If you have a problem reaching for cleaning windows or anything high inside or out, purchase a telescopic window washer; the kind they use for cleaning bus windows. It works like a charm!
It can be frustrating to wash your windows only to see streaks instead of clear panes. This is a page about washing windows without streaks.
A little dish washing liquid added to water and ammonia work well to clean and leave you with streak free windows. This is a page about clean windows with joy dishsoap and ammonia.
Although it can be challenging to clean the outside of your windows, it needs to be done regularly. This is a page about cleaning windows outside.
Vinegar, water, and a drop or two of Dawn makes a good window cleaner. Use a soft cloth and rinse well. This is a page about cleaning sunroom windows.
A tiny bit of dishsoap and water will clean your windows more inexpensively and as well as specialized products. This is a page about cleaning windows with dishsoap and water.
Low- E windows are best cleaned with vinegar, water, or a microfiber cloth. Some household cleaners can damage the coating and should not be used.
Rubbing alcohol is an excellent product to use for cleaning windows. This is a page about using rubbing alcohol for cleaning windows.
Contact paper left for a long time on windows can be difficult to remove, as age and the sun can affect the adhesive. This is a page about removing old contact paper from windows.
Newspaper is relatively lint free and works well with vinegar to clean windows, leaving them streak free. This is a page about use vinegar and newspaper for cleaning windows.