Spring is such a wonderful time of the year. The flowers and trees budding outside our windows invite us to draw back the curtains and enjoy the scenery.
As the world wakes up from its winter slumber, we think of all the jobs around the house that have been neglected. One of those chores we often neglect is windows.
Spring is the right time to add window washing to your ever-growing list of Spring cleaning chores. If you don’t consider yourself a professional window washer, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Here is a step-by-step guide of how to clean your windows like a pro.
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How to Wash Windows Like a Pro
We’ve all seen them, the guy with the squeegee cleaning windows with precision speed. He makes it look so easy. In no time flat, he’s finished one big window and is on to another.
Oddly enough, it looks like fun! If you’ve got a DIY spirit and a can-do attitude, read on to hear all the window washing secrets of the pros.
A Window Washer Uses the Right Tools
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression that to do a job right, you need the right tools. Window washing is no exception.
If you’re serious about making those windows shine, you need to use the right tools. If you’ve ever used the right tools for a job, you notice one thing-it saves loads of time.
Here are the window cleaning tools you’ll need:
- 10 – 12-inch squeegee
- A scrubber brush or a good-quality sponge
- 5-gallon plastic bucket
- Dishwashing liquid
- A few microfiber rags
- A ladder
These six items are all you need to make your windows shine like new. These tools should last you a few years. The only thing you’ll need to replace often is the rubber blades for your squeegee.
Having a sharp, clean, rubber blade is essential. Make sure to buy two or three at a time to always have one on hand.
Blades that are nicked, sliced, or rounded don’t perform as well as a fresh blade. The pros we talked to said they change their blades every day.
Step 1: Create Your Window Washer Solution
Making your window cleaning solution is super easy. All you need is your 5-gallon bucket and your favorite dishwashing soap. Some people also like to opt for a water and vinegar solution, but dishwashing soap is what we used.
To make your solution, just add a couple gallons of water to your 5-gallon bucket and then add about a teaspoon of dishwashing soap and you’re good to go!
Step 2: Scrub the Glass
Using a scrubber brush or a good-quality sponge dip it into the bucket of window washing solution and then squeeze out the excess water.
Work at all angles to scrub the window to ensure you get all the edges. Make sure to scrub every square inch of the glass.
Step 3: Clean a Starting Strip
Press the corner tip of your squeegee against the glass. Starting at the top, clean a narrow strip of the window from top to bottom on one side.
The purpose of creating a starting strip is to make your horizontal strokes easier.
Pro Tip: Keep a microfiber rag in your pocket to wipe your squeegee after each pass.
Step 4: Squeegee Across the Top
Press the squeegee blade against the top of the window. Pull the squeegee horizontally across the window.
Pro Tip: Make sure that the top of your squeegee blade runs along the top edge of the window.
Step 5: Wipe Your Squeegee
If you watch the pros, what you’ll notice is that they wipe their squeegee often. Between each stroke across the window, make sure to clean your squeegee.
Pro Tip: A clean squeegee makes a spotless window, so keep it clean.
Step 6: Work Down the Window
With your clean squeegee make another horizontal pass. You want to make sure to angle your squeegee so excess water flows down.
Pro Tip: Make sure when you make your horizontal pass that your squeegee has about a 2-inch overlap from your last pass.
This will make sure your squeegee doesn’t leave any of those thin streaks across the window.
Step 7: Wipe the Edges
With your microfiber rag, wipe across the top of the window. Then with another dry microfiber rag, use the tip of your finger to wipe around the perimeter of the window.
Pro Tip: Be sure to use another dry part of the rag with each pass around the perimeter.
Sometimes excess water can be left behind on the edges of the window. By using your microfiber rag, this ensures that you have no streaks on the edges of your windows.
Step 8: Repeat
Follow these steps for your window washing and it will look like you hired a professional.
Pro Tip: Did you know that you can use a squeegee on the inside of the windows too? buy a thinner squeegee for the inside to save time!
Inside Windows
For inside windows, you can follow these same steps. Be sure to really squeeze out the excess water from your scrub brush or sponge. You’re scrub brush or sponge should last for about 5 small window panes.
Pro Tip: For inside windows, be sure to not throw your scrub brush or sponge into the bucket between each scrub. Less water is better for inside to save from a watery mess.
How to Change a Squeegee Blade
Fresh squeegee blades are essential for a professional window washing look. That means knowing how to replace your squeegee blades is essential.
Here are the steps to change out a squeegee blade.
- Grab the edge of the blade and pull to expose the metal clip.
- Slide the metal clip off.
- Then slide the blade out of the other end.
- If your squeegee doesn’t have a blade, it will be held in place by screws and a clamp. In that case remove the screws, replace the blade, and then screw back on.
Do You Have the DIY Spirit
Now you know the step-by-step process that the pros use. If getting up on ladders with soapy tools in your hands doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, we don’t blame you. That’s why people hire a professional window washer.
However, if you have the DIY mentality and the gumption, you do you! We won’t stop you.
For more advice on this topic and many more, be sure to check out our blog regularly.
