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
When I wash my windows and later in the day the sun shines through, the window has smear marks. I have tried various cleaners and I still get smears which are hard to remove. Any suggestions?
If you travel in a motorhome, camper, or travel trailers (or maybe even at your regular home as well), this might help. At night, condensation builds up on our windows. My easy clean fix is to use a squeegee to run the water down the window onto a reusable towel.
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.
I just moved into a new flat, but I have no idea how to clean these particular windows! They're double glazed and it seems like there is residue from a previous bad cleaning. However when I tried to get it off it seems like the residue/marks are inside the two panels!
I don't know how this is possible and I really need your help, the windows just look awful!
If the residue is between the two panels, you will not be able to remove it. The seal is broken. I would have the landlord replace these panes.
A double pane window is airtight, so it sounds like there must be a broken seal.
There are some solutions but it's best to get the owner involved as it isn't really an easy DIY fix.
Reference: www.howtocleanstuff.net/
Those are double pane windows. The seal has broken and moisture has gotten in. The are not fixable, but rather need to be replaced.
I would suggest that you first discuss this with your landlord as the seals are broken and it does not just mean your windows are "dirty" but it means the insulation is broken and cold and heat will not be sealed in or out. (Utilities will cost more and you may have trouble getting your flat heated or cooled properly.)
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.
