<p>I have lots and lots of them and they ARE disgusting!</p>
<p>I have been told to NOT wash them when the sun is shining on them or when the windows are too warm - causes streaking.</p>
<p>I have newer windows so I can do them all from inside. I need to know your solutions to:
what type of rag/cloth you use (or a squeegee if you do)
what type of solution (if vinegar do you add anything else and how do you dilute???)</p>
<p>I can’t hire someone to do them, so don’t tempt me/depress me. It’s not going to happen!</p>
<p>I probably need to get the initial grime off and then do a second wash. Winter in Ohio leaves lots of residue and a long period of time between washings. </p>
<p>I’ll be ready to wash (start that is - my son’s room - the first room I need to do has 6 windows alone!) later this afternoon. Bring on the tips!</p>
<p>Tip #1 Use a squeegee; it does a faster, better job. It should be about a foot wide and have a stiff rubber blade. (Better ones will have replaceable blades.)</p>
<p>Tip #2 I use this solution from Consumer Reports when my windows are really dirty-- Mix .5 cup of sudsy ammonia, 1 pt. rubbing alcohol, and 1 T of hand dishwashing liquid, then top off with enough water to make a gallon. </p>
<p>Tip #3 Use towels at the bottom of windows to soak up solution that runs down. And an old dish towel to wipe squeegee between swipes.</p>
<p>I like to wash my windows when the sun is out because then I can see if there are streaks.</p>
<p>If you have windows with a tinted film applied to the window surface, do NOT use anything with ammonia. Unfortunately, I found this out the hard/expensive way. Didn’t even know the windows were tinted when we bought our home. Now the film is failing and it is a project I am dreading but have to tackle soon to remove it all.</p>
<p>I do the old fashion way. White Vinegar and newspapers and it seems to work better than anything I have ever tried. the cheapest too!</p>
<p>The one thing I have figured out is to never do them when they are being hit with direct sun light. The heat always seems to cause streaks for me.</p>
<p>Yup, window film. Had it applied many years ago to a large bay window to protect furniture and floor from UV light. If done right, it’s virtually invisible.</p>
<p>I start with a shopvac to clean out windowsills. I second the idea of using newspaper. I also wear rubber gloves because the cleaning solution and newspaper will really dry out my hands.</p>
<p>Someday I’m going to try the method of my dreams…hiring someone else to do it!</p>
Me too! Newspaper is the best! It really wipes away the grime.
never had any transfer to my mullions. Oh btw - use black and white - not colored newsprint.</p>
<p>JAM is right use only black and white not colored newsprint.</p>
<p>I never had any transfer either. I also like it because no matter what I always have that on hand.</p>
<p>I only use my squeegee in my shower because I can’t stand water spots. I also RainX the shower to prevent the spots. I do that on my windows too. It seems to make it last longer between window cleaning.</p>
<p>I used to use newspaper; then I paid to have some one else “do” my windows. When I saw how quickly he was able finish with a squeegee (and what a good job it did) I decided to try it myself. I’ll never go back.</p>
<p>I’m another person who swears by the squeegee; I never use rags – except to wipe the squeegee!.</p>
<p>Here’s a trick from my father: When cleaning the outside of the window, use horizontal strokes of your squeegee (or rag, if you insist!). Then using vertical strokes when cleaning the inside of the window. That way, if you get any streaks, you can tell right away which side of the window they are on.</p>
<p>I second/third/fourth the use of squeegees. I can do the windows in a quarter of the time. I use a gallon bucket with a couple of drops of dish detergent and about a quarter cup of ammonia. Works well for me.</p>
It’s not going to happen!</p>
Great suggestions!</p>