How to Avoid Water Stains When Cleaning Your Windows

The biggest problem with doing your own window washing is the fact that water stains are so easily created. Window washing can be a long process and seeing it end with large streaks on your windows can leave you feeling frustrated and annoyed. 

You don’t have to live with water stains on your newly cleaned windows though, whether you choose to do it yourself or you opt for a professional window cleaner there are ways to avoid those pesky water stains and keep your windows streak-free.

Tips and Tricks to Get Sparkling Windows

  1. Use distilled water! Some people dilute glass cleaner with water. If your household has hard water, try using distilled water rather than tap water. What is hard water? Hard water has a higher concentration of dissolved minerals like magnesium and calcium. These minerals can cause more impurities when you opt to clean with hard water. That’s why you might see more streaks as you clean, it is a mineral buildup. 
  2. Minimize your bubbles. You are more likely to get streaks on your windows when you’re utilizing a lot of soap. Using too much soap in your cleaning mixture, results in a dense solution, which causes the streaks. Just remember, a little bit of soap goes a long way. 
  3. Skip the paper towels. Paper towels are marketed to consumers as a product you can use anywhere, however, you should probably skip using them on your windows. Not only can paper towels leave streaks, but they can also leave behind something similar to lint. Opt for using a microfiber cloth instead. 
  4. Wipe off extra products. It is important to make sure you wipe off all excess product, even if it might not be fully visible to the naked eye. You can do this by going over your windows with a squeegee after the final cleanse. 
  5. Start from the top and work your way down. If your cleaner is dripping down the window as you are cleaning, work from the top down. You’ll be able to wipe up the drips without backtracking. 

DIY or Professional Window Washing?

There are pros and cons to DIY-ing, just like there are pros and cons for going the professional route. There are many things to consider when choosing between the two options. 

  • Time
  • Cost
  • Overall quality
  • Equipment
  • Energy
  • Safety
  • And more!

DIY-It!

There is a special rush in being able to do large projects in your home, a sense of pride and accomplishment after you complete a large or looming project. It feels good to be able to rely on yourself rather than relying on various professionals to come in and do it for you. 

It can be super cost-effective to wash your own windows. However, this can be extremely time-consuming and take a pretty physically capable person to complete. For those with lower mobility, this could be more difficult, even more so if you have a 2 story home.

There are various methods that have become popular among those who are DIY-ing their windows. 

  1. Mixing equal parts distilled vinegar and hot water is a popular way. This can be alongside additional methods including your tools aka your microfiber cloth, squeegee, and spray bottle. 
  2. Another popular method is mixing two gallons of water with a teaspoon of dish soap. 
  3. You can also use an alcohol solution. This can be achieved by mixing 1 part of 70% alcohol to 3 parts water in a bucket. 

Tools that you can use for your window cleaning can be anything. To prevent streaks, microfiber cloths and squeegees will be your best bet. Some people might be tempted to buy or rent a power washer to clean their windows, but this is ideally done by a professional with experience. Too much pressure (anything greater than 2,000 psi) might break your windows. Anything lower than 1,200 psi might not fully clean your windows. When using a pressure washer you also have to manipulate the angle of the nozzle and make sure to use the right cleaning solution. For this reason, DIY pressure washing is not the ideal solution for those streak-free windows.

Professional Window Cleaning

For a lot of people using a professional window, cleaner is the best option for a variety of reasons –

  • You work long hours // you don’t have time.
  • You have low mobility. 
  • You have a two-story home or a home that requires a tall ladder to reach all the windows.
  • You have a weird setup that makes reaching certain windows really difficult.
  • It costs you less money to pay someone else to clean them for you.

Not only do they help you recover your time and prevent you from having to do the work on your own, professionals are very skilled in their field. They can get at those windows at a weird angle, they have the equipment to reach those two-story windows, and they have the expertise to leave streak-free windows after each wash. Keep in mind, you are not just paying for supplies when you pay for a professional – you are paying for their labor and their expertise as well. This obviously comes at a higher price tag than doing it yourself, but for a lot of people, this is absolutely worth the cost for beautifully clean and clear windows. 

Your Window Cleaning Professionals

When the best option for you and your home is to hire a professional to clean your windows, hire the best. Our professional window washers in Overland Park have years of experience and have been in the business for over 20 years. 
Fill out our form or give us a call for a free quote! And know you’re working with the best.