Tip No. 1: Cleaning technique
The best way to clean your windows is to work from top to bottom. This is the best way to clean your windows. Professional window cleaners recommend this method because it leaves no streaks. They also recommend that you wipe the water streaming down, the best way to do this is to start from the top to the bottom (to wipe the liquid dripping down) prior to it dries up. This is important because once dry it will leave ugly stains which defeats the objective of cleaning your windows.
Tip no. Tip no. 2: Use an Additional reading eco-friendly cleaner
Many of the off-the-shelf window cleaners are ammonia-based, which can make them dangerous. You can make your own window cleaner using items in your kitchen. Simply mix white vinegar with warm water. This is a safe and excellent window cleaning product recommend by all window cleaners.
Tip no. 3: Working on tall windows
It is usually a good idea for tall windows to be cleaned by a professional. However, if you want to save some money you can use a garden hose. Simply dip cloth in some window cleaner, then fasten to one end of the hose and then spray water through it on to your windows. Then use a painter's pole with a clean cloth attached to one end to wipe it down. The same cleaning process can be used for the interior. There is a chance that there will be a few streaks left after you are done which is why we recommend hiring a professional service.
Tip no. 4: Protect your flooring
Many window cleaners we spoke with said that the best way to protect your floor is to cover it in old newspaper. This will protect your floor from any stains.
Tip no. 5: Using off the shelf cleaners
Do not use regular cleaning cloths if you plan to use off-the-shelf cleaners. Newspaper is better than regular cloth because it doesn't leave behind water stains when the window dries.
A squeegee is a must-have if you're serious about cleaning windows for a living, or just to clean your windows properly. If you've used a bottle of window cleaner and a cloth before, you may be wondering what professional window cleaners use. It's not a small blue spray bottle.
Professional window cleaners don't use a spray bottle, unless they are just cleaning up an area. They use warm water, a sponge, and a squeegee.
"But what's in that bucket?" You may be asking, "But what is in that bucket?" It all depends on the window cleaner. For the majority of them it is just water and a squirt of dish soap (Dawn, Joy and Palmolive are favorites). To cut grease and prevent streaks, many add 1/2 to a cup ammonia.
What I love to use is an old-school trick... T.S.P. "What is TSP? ", you may ask. It stands for Tri Sodium Phosphate and is one of the most important window cleaning secrets. TSP was the industry standard in window cleaners back in the day. It cleaned amazingly, it had plenty of glide, and it didn't get foamy like many dish detergents.
Besides, why isn’t anyone using it anymore. It's a good question. It has to do with the environmental problems associated with phosphates. They used phosphates in many cleaners a few years back. While this was great for cleaning, it had an unexpected effect on the ecosystem. Phosphore is a great fertilizer. So good, that it caused an explosion of phosphate loving algae which upset the ecological balance.
When the scientist and the government realized all the problems with releasing vast quantities of phosphates, they clamped down on the use of phosphates in cleaners - which is a good thing. People mistakenly believed that phosphate cleaners like TSP were toxic and dangerous. TSP is actually non-toxic. Personally, I believe that using a few teaspoons to clean a few windows is safe for the environment. It is the willful use of it that can be dangerous to the environment.
Have you ever been cleaning a window with just dish soap and have been frustrated with the squeegee dragging and skipping across the glass and exclaimed "I simply need more glide!"? You also end up with a lot of unruly foam if you add enough dish soap. It's enough to make you pull your hair out.
Next time try this. Fill a five-gallon bucket with four gallons of water. Then add 4 teaspoons of TSP and 3 teaspoons of your favorite dish soap. You will have days of glide without all the foam you've come to resent.
Take care not to mix TSP with ammonia. It can dry out your hands quite a bit. Be careful when climbing a ladder, TSP can make your hands very slippery. You might become so skilled at cleaning windows that your friends will be annoyed.