How To Clean Windows With Vinegar Without Leaving Streaks

 

There's something satisfying about cleaning windows and getting a streak-free finish. Removing dirt welcomes more natural light in, which allows your gorgeous room to shine and illuminate in a way that makes you feel oh-so-good. But you don't need a commercial cleaner to achieve a streak-free result. In fact, you just need a natural cleaner you likely already have tucked away in a cabinet: white distilled vinegar.

That's right, your glass windows are another area of your home you can clean with vinegar. The key is making sure you follow a few crucial tips so your windows come

out crystal clear. Here's your complete guide for cleaning glass windows with vinegar to achieve a bright and refreshed interior.

Why Use Vinegar For Cleaning Windows?

If you haven't already discovered the powerful cleaning properties of vinegar, then you're going to be amazed at how excellent it is for removing dirt and grime on your windows. Vinegar is highly acidic to break down the particles that are on your glass windows to result in a streak-free shine...

without damaging the glass! Plus, compared to commercial glass cleaners that are formulated with harsh chemicals, vinegar is a great natural, non-toxic alternative that only needs to be combined with water.

Materials Needed

To clean glass windows with vinegar, here are all the materials you will need to make the cleaning solution and apply it to your windows:

• White distilled vinegar

• Warm water

• Dish soap (optional)

• Spray bottle

• Several microfiber cloths

• Squeegee

• Vacuum with brush attachment or broom

Preparation Steps

Before you actually clean your windows, there are a few preparation steps you need to make so your glass comes out sparkly clean and completely streak-free! The first is the most important: choosing the right day.

Believe it or not, temperature plays a huge role in how well your windows dry and the amount (or lack of) streaks that are left behind. It's best to avoid cleaning your windows on a totally bright sunny day since the sun can cause the water to dry quickly and leave behind streaks. Obviously, you don't want to clean your windows on a rainy day, so the best day to attempt this task is when it's overcast since there's minimal sunlight.

There's also a cleaning task you need to accomplish first before you wash your windows with your solution. Take some time to go around to each window and remove cobwebs, dust, or dirt with your vacuum and brush attachment or a broom so these aren't smudged along your window during the cleaning process.

Mixing The Cleaning Solution

Now it's time to make your cleaning solution! If your windows aren't too dirty, you'll need to mix together 1 part vinegar to 10 parts warm water in your spray bottle. If you see a lot of dirt and grime on your windows, add in a few drops of dish soap as a tougher cleaning agent to break down the particles.

Once everything has been added to your spray bottle, shade the solution well and you're ready to clean!

The Cleaning Process

Follow this step-by-step process for cleaning your glass windows with a homemade vinegar solution:

1. Working on one window at a time, spray the solution generously over the entire surface. If your windows are heavily dirty, let the solution sit for a couple of minutes to loosen the dirt.

2. Take your microfiber cloth or squeegee and wipe the solution away in a circulation or Z-motion pattern.

3. Buff the window clean with another dry microfiber cloth.

4. Wet another clean microfiber cloth with your vinegar spray and wipe down the window frame and sills.

Repeat this process on every window.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Cleaning your home's windows is a fairly easy process, but there are a few common mistakes homeowners often make. The first is cleaning their windows on a sunny day. Sure, it seems like the perfect temperature to tackle this home maintenance task, but it actually results in streaky windows from how fast the sun causes the water to dry. To avoid this mistake, remember to clean when it's overcast.

The second mistake homeowners often make when cleaning their windows is using a paper towel or newspaper instead of microfiber cloths and a squeegee. These materials often leave behind lint or ink and doesn't allow your windows to end with the beautiful streak-free finish you want.