how can you get windows clean?

Question

i have tried everything vinegar, newspaper, different window cleaners and they always come out streaky!! it is an old home and has french doors is it the glass or me???

Answer 1

HELLO, I KNOW THAT IT CAN GET FRUSTRATING, WHEN YOU WORK SO HARD TO GET THOSE WINDOWS NICE AND CLEAN. BELIEVE ME I HAVE HAD A LOT OF TIME INVESTED IN THE TASK! THE BEST WAY I HAVE FOUND IS TO FILL A BUCKET WITH HOT WATER AND PUT A SQUIRT OF DAWN DISH DETERGENT IN IT. USE A STRIP OF AN OLD TERRY BATH TOWEL AND WIPE THE WINDOWS OFF. WHEN DONE FILL THE BUCKET AGAIN WITH JUST HOT WATER AND A CLEAN RAG AND WIPE THE WINDOWS AGAIN. WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED. MIX INTO A CLEAN SQUIRT BOTTLE WATER AND 2 CAPS OF ACHOL AND CLEAN THE WINDOWS, I KNOW THIS SOUNDS LIKE ALOT OF WORK, BUT IT IS WORTH IT. DO ME A FAVOR EXPERIMENT ON A WINDOW AND SEE! I TRULY HOPE THIS HELPS YOU.

Answer 2

It could be both. Older glass streaks more, modern doors seem to streak less but how hard your water is, how dirty the doors are and how you do it has a lot to do with it also.

Paper does work but there are problems. Mainly the ink comes off making it dirty again.

Streaks occur more commonly if the window is dirty. Wash it twice in a row if needed, but it needs to be clean.

In my experience streaks occur when the surface is wet and that wet spot dries. Just like spots on dishes, the only reason they are streaks is because they were wiped that way before they dried.

Glass cleaners tend to leave less streaks because the alcohol evaporates faster but vinegar works too.

My suggestion would be to use glass cleaner and wash the windows and use straight Squeegy to wipe the water off (like they have for car windshields but get a smaller one to fit your windows if needed) this leaves the least streaks. Wipe the cleaner off with a squeegy when its freshly applied/still wet, don't let the cleaner sit on their long.
Afterwards take a totally white piece of paper (printer paper works well for it) make sure its dry and crumple it into a ball to buff up the streaky spots.
If you have a streak re-wet the spot if its big or breath ont he window and buff (in a circular motion) with the white paper.

Answer 3

I don't really have a definitive answer for your question, but can I suggest that you treat yourself once to a professional window cleaner? If it's a technique problem or product problem on your part, perhaps you could pick up some tips from the professional so that you can emulate the same results?

One thing I find with my windows is to get good results I need to wash them with soapy water, dry them roughly with an old tshirt then go over it with window cleaner and a paper towel. Washing first gets rid of any grime then the window cleaner is like the polish.

Answer 4

from my expierence as a detailer and recommended by our windshield replacement guy. first spray a generous amount of glass cleaner over the whole glass. use your bare hand with the palm facing the glass and rub your hand on the glass like you were using a towel. the way it was explained to me is that glass has crevaces in it like our fingerprints, so by using your bare hand you dig out the dirt that has been forced into these tiny crevaces. the glass will not be streak free til the dirt is completely removed. then wipe it with a clean towel. spray a normal amount of cleaner on the glass then wipe off with a different clean towel. repeat if necessary!!! the best glass cleaner I have found is made by armor all, look in the auto dept. in stores!

Answer 5

I use Industrial Strength Professional Easy Glide Glass Cleaner. Streak Free, Super Concentrated.

Answer 6

vinegar and newspaper should work. the other thing you can do is take an old soft cotton tee short and buff the window after you dry it. The key is making sure all the moisture is removed for really dirty windows add just a drop of two of dish detergent.

Answer 7

Its all about the technique, rather than what to use. You'll get it, just don't give up, it takes a lot of detail to do French doors. Check to see if it really is the glass. Old glass gets scratched around the edges, then don't worry about it, its not you.

Answer 8

Glass Plus usually doesn't streak, wipe it well. French doors are tough and it can be the glass. All of the above answers sound good, or replace the glass row by row, until you have new glass.

Answer 9

You can get your windows clean by using Windex and newspaper. You spray a little Windex then you wipe it clean with the newspaper. Keep doing that until its clean.

Answer 10

Have you tried using vinegar then wiping it with a dry cloth after it's on the window. That should work...