Time for Spring Window Cleaning
Spring has finally reached Chicagoland and it is time to clean the windows, covered with a thin film of fall and winter grime. There are some great recipes for window cleaning solutions, I will tell you the two I have tried at the end of this blog, but I do want to share a tip for drying the windows without streaking:
Sponge on the cleaner then wipe off with crumpled newspapers (not colored print). Believe it or not the crumpled newspapers keep the windows from streaking. Recycle the paper when you are done.
Do not clean the windows when the sun is shining on them, they will dry too fast and leave streaks before they can be wiped.
Wash one side of the window up and down and the other side to side. That way if there is any residual streaking you know what side to polish.
Two recipes that I have tried ( the 2nd one is the one I normally use):
1. 2 cups isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) , 1/2 cup amonia, 1 tsp liquid dish detergent and top off with water until you have 1 gallon of cleaner
2. 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/2 cup amonia, 1/2 cup white vinegar and top off with warm water until you have 1 gallon. Make sure the cornstarch is dissolved.
Happy Cleaning! Let me know if you have any tips on making those windows glisten.
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April 20, 2009
I just use old newspaper, and spray a vinegar/water mix on the windows. Works great!
Darren (Green Change)’s last blog post..Recipe: Lillypilly Bellinis
April 26, 2009
I totally second Darren’s comment! I use newspaper and a squirt bottle full of diluted vinegar – no worries if anyone happens to lick the window or mirror… don’t laugh, I have a dog who is just plain nuts.
–Erika
April 27, 2009
Hi,
I have a way to do this without having to make any soloutions, just use a simple liquid soap. The trick is to use a squeege to dry the window at the end. Draw the squeege edge down the left hand side of the window (if your right handed) this will leave a quarter inch dry edge. Then in straight movements draw the squeege across the window from left to right in one movement. Move down the window a bit and repeat. Wipe the squeege between draws.
Good Luck
April 28, 2009
It’s best to use a squeege to wipe the window or mirror clean.
April 28, 2009
I actually still cannot believe how well crumpled news papers worked. I read this post a dew days ago and today had the chore of my windows. I remembered the advice and thought why not. I worked so well thanks
and the idea to wipe in different directions depending on what side you were drying – genious haha. No longer will I be running in and out of the house chasing streaks. Thanks again 
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April 29, 2009
Yes, this was something my Aunt mentioned to me years ago and it works really good. Better than paper towels and much cheaper to do. Vinegar and Water solution works well also.
April 12, 2011
Very resourceful approach in cleaning up windows. I also make use of my printed computer papers when cleaning about just any part of my place. This way I’m surely not wasting any scratch.
April 27, 2011
I have been using the newspaper trick forever…the vinegar and water thing is great, thanks Thomas.
September 29, 2011
Thats interesting, when I used to work as a cleaner I found paper cleaned mirrors better than most so-called microfibres.
October 26, 2011
The length of time have you been by using this style? I was searching for similar to this for our website.
November 13, 2011
We have been using this theme for the blog for about 3 years now. It is a minimally altered version of a template by TemplateLite.
November 29, 2011
It depends what stain are you trying to remove. The hardest is grease. In this case, I use vinegar to get rid of it.