Child Item

How do you clean your windows?

We have an empty block next to our house at the moment and it's blowing a lot of dust everywhere. This weekend it's time to clean the windows. It's never a fun job!

People have many different methods of cleaning windows, using various tools and cleaning products to achieve a spotless result.

How do you clean your windows? Let us know by replying below.

Jason

Find more posts tagged with

Tools and Materials

Organising

Doors and Windows

Comments

CathD

With the best of intentions I recently got one of those new window vacuums to clean the windows but I haven't tried it yet.

My previous regime has been two buckets and three cloths. Do most of the grunt work with the first cloth and bucket (which gets dirty quicky) then another once over with a clean one, then finally wipe off any excess moisture with a microfibre cloth to ensure a streak-free finish. I don't use any soap or detergent, and no squegees or newspaper.

Darren

Good old fashioned newspaper and windex - works every time!

Jackson

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/333#Comment_333

Well it looks like I'm going to have to give newspaper a go when I clean my car this weekend.

kaylah_rose

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/333#Comment_333

I agree newspaper is the best way to go! Leaves no streaks!

aly

Although i've never tried this myself, I've often heard mixing water and distilled vinegar is a good way to wash glass! Might be worth a go!

- Goodluck!

cupofchloe

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/343#Comment_343

This is the window cleaning recipe I use, it is streak-free and like the other contributors I am a newspaper advocate!

pursya

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/62498#Comment_62498

Taking this a step further, how do you clean your bistro blinds?
Much harder to do than glass so if anyone has a stress free solution, I'd love to hear it.

CathD

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/93839#Comment_93839

I would use vinegar and hot water on cafe blinds @pursya. Have you tried that?

pursya

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113208#Comment_113208

I haven't so I'll give that a go next time.
When they have been rolled up for a while they get very grubby.
Thanks.

Elaine

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124175#Comment_124175

I agree with the water and vinegar using a microfiber cloth the dry with newspapers

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131488#Comment_131488

Thanks for sharing your advice @Elaine and joining in the discussion.

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to Workshop. It's great to have you join the community. I'm looking forward to reading more of your posts about your projects and plans. Please let me know if you need a hand getting the most from the site.

Jason

This tip about not cleaning windows when its too hot is probably common knowledge for a streak-free result, but I hadn't heard of using cornstarch before. Anyone tried it?

Jason

Henno

Jason, my builder and his wife (who cleans up the worksite before handing over to the client), swear by Morning Fresh dishwashing liquid and after seeing how it worked on our windows, I would have to agree. We've got a kajillion windows in our new reno at Culburra plus those louvre ones (pain in the a*se to clean) and they've come up a treat.

Mrs Henno has come up with an invention to clean the louvres which involves a pair of BBQ tongs and some sort of car washing cloth. It's in its first iteration, so only early days and trials are ongoing.

But back to your question about cleaning windows: I would have to agree with my builder's wife (Tina The Cleaner) and use Morning Fresh with some washable towels.

However, having said that, my Mum did swear by newspaper and metho. But as my friend Andy_Mann says, you should only mix metho with orange juice...

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/3040#Comment_3040

Thanks for sharing @Henno. Must try that. But I'm most curious about what the BBQ tongs are for when it comes to cleaning the louvres!

Good to see you posting again.

Jason

Kellie

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/3040#Comment_3040

I've never heard of using dishwashing liquid on windows before. I assume you would only use a very tiny amount?

Henno

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/63799#Comment_63799

Kellie, just use it as you would in the sink. Depending on the size of the window to be cleaned. Ensure you have some sort of rags to catch the overflow at the base of the window or even use some sort of squeegee to wipe the excess off.
Jason, as far as the tongs go, I think they go inside the two mittens and then used to clean either side of the louvre at once. Pretty cool idea, but a bit awkward in practice. Needs a bit of refining in relation to the size of the mittens me thinks.

pursya

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/94423#Comment_94423

https://windowcleaningonline.com.au/shop/sorbo-tricket-kit-for-louvers-and-blinds/

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/113604#Comment_113604

Thanks for the link @pursya. It's good to see you back on Workshop.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124419#Comment_124419

I did some spring cleaning on the weekend, including cleaning the windows and deck. Still not sure I've perfected my technique as I noticed a few streaks this morning!

Jason

Isobel

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/131703#Comment_131703

A quick wipe with a dry microfibre cloth should get rid of those streaks.

Wendy62

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/136113#Comment_136113

When my windows are really dusty outside, I hose them down first. Then use morning fresh in a bucket applied with a window washer and squeegee then if streaky about 1/4 cup white vinegar in warm water and my new best buddy for mirrors too is a bamboo cloth.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/139199#Comment_139199

Great tip @Wendy62. Many thanks for joining in the discussion and sharing your experience.

Let me also extend a very warm welcome to the Workshop community. We're looking forward to reading about your projects and plans. Feel free to post whenever you need assistance. We have many helpful members who are constantly sharing advice and inspiration.

Thanks again,

Jason

Matt5

I've been cleaning windows for years, the best method for outside windows domestic is to buy a good 'streak free' window clean concentrate from bunnings

pour the required amount into some water in a bucket ( rectangle bucket is best) then after a light hosing of the windows,(one at a time) use a soft broom and/or brush to wash window down including surrounding timberwork..then Rince off with hose.

can do unto 10 standard size windows in one hour and I found its still the quickest and best method.

Internally totally different method required.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/8222#Comment_8222

Many thanks for sharing your experience @Matt5, I'm sure members will appreciate the advice. Looking forward to seeing more of your posts soon.

Welcome to Workshop. We have loads of helpful, clever and creative members sharing information, advice and inspiration on the site every day, so we're really pleased to have you join us.

Jason

jennik5

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/343#Comment_343

Thankyou for the tip Aly i have been struggling on to find a environment friendly way to clean my windows.

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141198#Comment_141198

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @jennik5. It's fabulous to have you join us and many thanks for jumping into the conversation.

Let me mention @aly so they are alerted to your kind feedback on their suggestion. Using newspaper to wipe away the mixture is a great way to get a streak-free finish. You might like to also check out Simple Green 750ml Glass Cleaner which is a non-toxic, biodegradable and a safer alternative to toxic cleaners & bleaches

You should find this step-by-step guide helpful: How To Clean Windows.

We look forward to hearing about the projects around your house and garden and we'd encourage you to let us know if you ever need assistance with them or have something you would like to share. I trust you'll find loads of inspiration within the community as our creative members are contributing their own projects here every day.

Mitchell

Prawns

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142781#Comment_142781

I used to be a detailer at a caryard - I got told when I started there not to use newspapers as they are now printed using latex based ink which can melt/smear depending on what other chemicals you use or if you rub too hard (its not the same ink your grandparents found out worked as a light abrasive on glass) We mainly just used a metho/water mix 50/50 there for general glass using cotton rags from the local vinnies/salvos which usually sell them by the huge bagful for cheap if u ask (tshirts they cant sell generally - we cut them into sizes we could use)

If i got kind of lazy - i would just hand wax the windows at the same time as the rest of the car (turtle wax or similar) wait for it to dry crusty white - then wipe off as normal gets a nice shiney finish as well! hahahha

Prof

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143814#Comment_143814

Here's a quick and simple way to clean outside window glass..

Buy one of those small washer / sprayers that has a bottle underneath and attaches to the garden hose..

1. Spray glass with the high pressure water jet..

2. Mix a dishwasher detergent tablet in two cups of water..

3. Spray windows with detergent mix on a wide water fan setting and leave for 5 minutes..

4. Wash of detergent with high pressure water..

Result..Clean..streak free glass..

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/144604#Comment_144604

Love all these tips. Thanks for keeping the discussion going @Prawns and @Prof.

Jason

FranMM

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/8222#Comment_8222

@Matt5 how would you deal with upstairs windows that I can't reach? I'm not good with heights & don't even like hubby up on the ladder to do them.

Child Item