Is window washing not one of your favorite activities? Don't worry, many people are! However, with a few simple practices and the right window cleaner, it's child's play. And if you can already picture yourself wiping the same 5 cm area over and over again to remove all the streaks, we have some good news: with these tricks, your window glass will not only be clean, but streak-free too! The two main topics of our window cleaning guide are the right tool and the ideal window cleaner. We'll show you them!
The question of the tool: how will your windows be streak-free and shiny?
If you still wash your windows with a sponge, it's no secret that streak-free windows are not easy. Not to mention what's hidden in a dishwashing sponge - you can read more about this in our previous article. Switch to easier-to-use, more effective window cleaning tools instead!
Use newspaper ! Our grandmothers knew something, and it's not for nothing that they used the tried and tested method. Just crumple up a piece of newspaper and you've got the ideal window cleaning tool, with which you can wipe the glass streak-free with one swipe. However, it's important to choose a newspaper made of "glossy paper" and not the traditional version.
With this solution, you can also reuse waste paper, since you would just throw away your newspaper after reading it anyway.
Invest in a window squeegee ! For a minimal amount of money, you can get a super squeegee tool that really makes window cleaning as easy as it gets. Because of the aforementioned sponge issue, it's best to look for one that only consists of the squeegee, which will clean your window just as effectively.
Choose a natural and effective cleaning agent!
We have already written about traditional cleaning products available in stores, which contain a lot of toxic chemicals that can harm your health while cleaning. This is also the case with window cleaners, as many contain harmful ingredients such as butyl cellosolve or ammonia. The former is a nerve agent, while the latter is an irritant to the respiratory tract. [1][2]
And a clean home shouldn't involve compromises! Instead of traditional window cleaners containing chemicals, choose vinegar cleaning : it's just as effective, yet completely natural and safe! Mix equal parts vinegar and water to make a cleaning solution in no time, which can effectively remove fingerprints and dirt from window glass.
A lesser-known trick is to use black tea, but it works great too! Brew a large batch of strong black tea, let it cool, and you can use it as a window cleaner. The best way to do this is to use a microfiber cloth: dip it in the tea and wipe the window with it. [3]
Finally, let's look at the answer to the "How" question, because the success of your work may depend on little things that might not even occur to you.
Great tips for effective window cleaning
When to start? Always start cleaning with the weather forecast: it's clear that you won't get much done if a storm is expected the next day, but few people think that the heat wave is not ideal either: the window cleaner can dry on the glass before you have time to wipe it off, which will result in stains. The best time to start is when the weather is not too hot and slightly cloudy. [4]
How to get started? If you have blinds, clean them first, otherwise you'll get the window glass dirty again with the first pull up and down. A great practice for this is to wrap a microfiber cloth around the ends of a pair of kitchen tongs. By pinching them together, you can easily access each slat and quickly clean the entire blind. [5]
You can easily reach the corners and window frames with an old toothbrush, and you can also use the disinfectant effect of vinegar for cleaning. Finally, the window itself: start from the top left corner and work your way down, and instead of using circular motions, wipe the glass from top to bottom.
What to avoid: Do not wipe the glass dry, as this can cause small scratches that can damage your window in the long run. If you use a squeegee, expect that any accumulated window cleaning fluid will drip down. So have a microfiber cloth handy to hold to the bottom of the window while you clean.
Don't forget about the curtains! The final result will be complete if freshly washed curtains hang on the sparkling clean windows. Baking soda will be your good friend in this: depending on the size of the curtain, fill a bucket with water so that it covers the entire material. Add a few spoons of baking soda, then put the curtain in and squeeze it a little. Let it stand for half an hour, then you can go in the washing machine. With this method, you can definitely get rid of unpleasant odors and stains, and you can even return the grayed curtains to their bright white color. You can also save on ironing if you shake them out thoroughly while they are still wet and hang them up immediately, as the weight will smooth out the creases on its own.
CYCLE tip:
CYCLE's natural window cleaner is also made using acetic acid and citric acid, with which - and by using the above methods - you can quickly and easily make your home's windows and mirrors streak-free. With the 10X concentrates available in our organic store, you can also save a lot of plastic, as you can reuse the empty bottle over and over again.
[1] Abai Ablak: Expert Tips – Window Cleaning Made Easy
[2] MedlinePlus: Window cleaner poisoning
[3] Ideal Home: Leave windows gleaming with the 'game-changing' teabag cleaning hack
[4] Offbeat Bros: 15 window cleaning hacks for the cleanest window ever
[5] One Crazy House: Window cleaning tips
