How to Clean Windows and Window Screens

To clean windows without streaks, dust the glass first, then wash top to bottom with an ammonia- or alcohol-based cleaner, a 50/50 white-vinegar-and-water solution, or plain soapy water — applied generously so it doesn’t dry too fast — and finish with a squeegee or a lint-free cloth. For screens, vacuum both sides, then wash in soapy water and rinse. Here’s the full method for windows and screens, inside and out, plus car glass.

If you’d rather not tackle high or hard-to-reach glass yourself, professional cleaners can handle it — but most windows are an easy DIY job with the right tools.

Why wash your windows regularly?

Beyond the obvious, there are good reasons to keep glass and screens clean:

• During pollen season, pollen collects in window screens and can trigger allergy symptoms indoors.
• Clean windows are slightly more energy efficient, letting in more warming light.
• Regular cleaning extends their lifespan, since trapped grit can scratch the glass over time.

Window cleaning supplies

How to clean windows without streaks

Streaks usually come from the cleaner itself — anything that leaves a film, or that dries too fast on a hot day, leaving uneven wet and dry patches. To avoid them, follow these steps (and lay old towels along indoor sills to catch drips):

Step 1: Use an ammonia– or alcohol-based cleaner, a vinegar-and-water solution, or soap and water — all film-free. (Never mix an ammonia cleaner with bleach: the combination makes toxic gas.)
Step 2: If the glass is dusty, wipe it first with a dry microfiber cloth.
Step 3: Wash from the top down, applying the solution generously so it doesn’t evaporate too fast.
Step 4: Lift stubborn marks with a little rubbing alcohol on a cloth — don’t use a razor, which can scratch the glass.
Step 5: Squeegee off the liquid (or use a lint-free cloth), and buff away any remaining water with newspaper, which is lint-free and absorbent.

Pro Tip: test your newspaper first — most use soy-based ink that won’t run, but petroleum-based ink can smear. Hold a heavily printed page for a minute; if it stains your fingers, don’t use it.

It’s not just windows that have glass surfaces — here’s how to clean your electronic devices too.

How to clean windows with vinegar

White vinegar is a cheap, low-toxicity, film-free cleaner our Pros love. Make a 50/50 mix of hot water and white vinegar, apply with a sponge or microfiber cloth, and follow the streak-free steps above.

If you use a spray bottle, go weaker — 1 part vinegar to 2 parts hot water — since vinegar’s acidity can corrode the spray mechanism over time. Flush the bottle with clean water afterward to extend its life. (Avoid vinegar on any leaded or stained glass and on the seals of older windows, where prolonged acidity isn’t ideal.)

How to clean window screens

For a light clean, run a lint roller or a vacuum hose attachment over the screens in place. For a deeper clean:

Step 1: Remove the screens from the windows.
Step 2: Vacuum both sides to lift dirt and debris.
Step 3: Soak them in hot soapy water for 10-15 minutes if you have room.
Step 4: If you can’t soak them, scrub both sides with a large sponge.
Step 5: Rinse with fresh water from a microfiber cloth or a low-pressure hose (high pressure can push the screen out of its frame).
Step 6: Dry with newspaper or an old towel before reinstalling.

For upper-floor screens you can’t remove, use a hose or an extending brush. Keep cleaning — here’s how to clean blinds and shades.

How to clean windows outside

The best time to clean exterior glass is when you’re doing the screens. As indoors, remove loose dust with a dry microfiber cloth first; a telescopic mop reaches high windows without a ladder. If you do use a ladder, never lean to the side — climb down and move it.

Apply the vinegar solution or hot soapy water generously with a sponge or lint-free cloth, washing top to bottom. Squeegee it off or rinse with fresh water, then dry the edges with a microfiber cloth to prevent streaks.

How to clean car windows

The exterior cleans up at a car wash or with the outdoor-window steps above. For the inside:

• Wipe off dust, smudges, and fingerprints with a dry microfiber cloth.
• Make a water-and-vinegar mix in a spray bottle (recipe above).
• Spray it onto the cloth until just damp, not wet.
• Clean the glass in circular motions.
• Buff dry with newspaper or a clean microfiber cloth.

Pro Tip: cleaning fumes build up fast in a closed car, so avoid commercial glass cleaners containing bleach or ammonia in that enclosed space.

Tips for using a squeegee

A squeegee reaches the whole window fast and pulls off dirt and water without scratching — there’s a reason the Pros use them.

• The simplest method is straight lines: start at the top and pull straight down, overlapping each pass so you clear all the soap and water.
• Pros use a fanning motion, keeping the blade on the glass at all times while moving side to side down the window — it takes practice but avoids lines.
• Keep the blade clean and straight; if the rubber feels wavy, replace it (each blade is good for several hours of use).
• Fit new blades so the rubber extends just beyond the metal edge, protecting the frame.
• Use light pressure — the squeegee should glide.
• Squeegees also work on shower doors, tile walls, your glass-top stove, and mirrors.

FAQs

Can leaving dirt on windows scratch the glass?
Yes — especially where dirt contains gritty particles. Washing regularly and correctly reduces the risk of scratches.

How do I find which side a streak is on?
Wash one side with vertical strokes and the other with horizontal strokes. Then a streak’s direction tells you which side it’s on.

Can I wash screens without removing them?
You can, but it’s much harder to clean them well — laying them flat gets far better results.

How do I prevent streaks if I have hard water?
Hard-water mineral deposits often need a commercial lime-and-calcium remover; soap and water alone won’t shift them.