How to Clean Windows on Your Home: Inside and Out

Learn the best way to clean windows on your Blue Ridge home, no matter the type.

Sooner or later, even the best windows accumulate dust, dirt smears, and streaks. Whether you have classic double-hung windows, vast picture windows, or fancier windows in unique architectural shapes, you must know how to clean each window type. Otherwise, you’ll barely be able to see outside!

Fortunately, cleaning your windows’ interiors and exteriors isn’t as tough as you may think.

Cleaning classic windows – double-hung, picture, & more

When you start to clean your home’s most common windows, like sliding or double-hung windows, it’s best to begin with the inside surfaces. That way, you can clean off any smears or streaks inside the home and immediately see what remains to be blasted off the exteriors with a garden hose.

Don’t know where to start? Gather these key tools:

• A bucket filled with clean, cold water plus just a few drops of dish soap
• A clean microfiber cloth or sponge
• A vinegar-and-water solution in a spray bottle (We’ve found that a mix of one part white vinegar plus two parts water is the perfect balance. Alternatively, pick up your favorite commercial window cleaner, like Windex.)
• Some lint-free towels to catch any water you spill

Here’s how to clean your windows’ interior surfaces:

• Spray a few spritzes of the vinegar-and-water solution onto the glass.
• Use the microfiber cloth or paper towels on the wet surface. For the best results, move your cloth in a Z-shaped or zigzagging motion.
• Once the glass surfaces dry, use your sponge or another microfiber cloth. Dip that instrument in the bucket, and use the cold, soapy water to clean your windowsills and frames.

Voila – perfectly clean, beautiful windows from top to bottom.

How to clean outside windows

Of course, cleaning the inside surfaces is only half the battle. Now it’s time to head outside. Luckily, cleaning the exteriors of your windows is quick and simple. Take a garden hose or that same vinegar-and-water solution and repeat the steps broken down above. Just be sure to use clean towels so you don’t move dirt from the inside to the outside or vice versa.

If you have sliding windows, be sure to close them tightly before you start spraying. The last thing you want is to accidentally shoot water from your hose into your home!

Getting that perfect, streak-free clean

Lots of homeowners find that the toughest part of cleaning windows is getting rid of dirt and grime without making streaks in the process. There are a few smart ways you can get a sparkling and streak-free clean each and every time.

First, use the white-vinegar-and-water solution mentioned earlier. The white vinegar will clean your windows without introducing streaks like regular soap.

Next, be sure to thoroughly dry your windows after washing them. Otherwise, the remaining moisture might splotch and streak as it dries from the sun.

Lastly, be sure to wash your windows with a zigzagging movement! That’ll prevent streaks from cropping up as you scrub your windows down, no matter their sizes.

How to clean window screens

Odds are at least a few of the windows throughout your house have screens. For your windows to really be clean, you need to get rid of the dirt that accumulates on those screen surfaces, too.

There are two possible approaches you can follow:

• First, take the water-and-white-vinegar spray bottle and gently spritz the screen you want to clean. Use a fresh microfiber cloth and gently wipe the screen down to wash away most dirt.
• Alternatively, remove your screen from your window, then spray it down with a garden hose. If you use this method, be sure to let the screen dry completely in the sun or in a dry place before replacing it. Otherwise, water could accumulate in your window's creases and lead to mold growth.

What about acrylic block windows or windows with patterns?

Lots of Blue Ridge homeowners have stylized or personalized their homes with acrylic block windows, stained glass windows, or other custom glass inserts. Good news – you can use the same steps above to clean these window types, with a few important notes.

Never clean acrylic block windows, stained-glass windows, or other windows with patterns or designs with ammonia or alcohol. Those are a little too rough – when you rub them onto a glass surface with a sponge, you could end up wearing down the patterns you love so much.

It’s also recommended that you gently dab those windows dry after using plain water or water and vinegar. A light, dabbing motion will dry the windows perfectly well without wearing and tearing their beautiful designs.

How to clean window AC units

Have one or more AC units keeping your North Carolina home cool and comfortable as the hot summer months roll along? Those AC units need to be cleaned from time to time to keep them from spitting dust and dirt balls up onto the window glass you just scrubbed.

Cleaning your window AC units usually means:

• Taking out the AC filter and cleaning it
• Wiping down the AC grill and exterior
• Cleaning the fins and coils
• Cleaning the AC tray and drain

However, be sure to consult your AC unit’s owner’s manual for precise cleaning instructions and disassembly guidelines. After all, each air-conditioner is different!

All in all, even new homeowners can clean their windows quickly and easily with the right setup and a basic mix of water and white vinegar. Some windows, however, shouldn’t be cleaned; they should be replaced, especially if they have big cracks or drafts.

That’s where Window World Blue Ridge can help. Our capable experts can help you find the perfect replacement windows in no time, plus give you window maintenance advice to keep those windows looking great and streak free for years to come. Contact us today!