Clean, streak-free windows give the interior and exterior of your home a more polished look. Plus, removing dust, dirt, and pollen from your windows will allow more light to filter into your home. But cleaning your windows incorrectly or with the wrong materials can make them look even dingier than simply letting them build up with debris. To simplify this chore, we’re walking you through the right way to clean the interior and exterior of your windows to ensure they stay sparkling.
How Often to Clean Windows
How often you clean your windows will depend on a few factors, such as the environment, weather conditions, and personal preference. “Many people prefer to clean the exterior of windows at least twice a year, usually in the spring and fall,” says Alicia Sokolowski, the president and co-CEO of AspenClean. “This helps remove accumulated dirt and grime from different weather conditions.” In areas with extreme weather or high pollution, cleaning your windows as often as monthly may be necessary to keep them free of pollutants and debris. The interior of your windows should generally be cleaned biweekly to keep them sparkling.
I’ve found that living near a busy road or in a pollen-heavy area, like near a park, means my windows get grimy faster. If you’re in a similar spot, you might notice a film building up on the glass sooner than you’d expect. A study from the Environmental Protection Agency suggests that urban homes can accumulate up to 60% more particulate matter on windows due to traffic and industrial activity. To keep things manageable, I stick to a quick interior wipe-down every two weeks, but for the outside, I’ll bump it up to monthly if the weather’s been rough or the pollen count is high. A handy trick is to check your local air quality index—when it’s consistently poor, that’s your cue to clean more often.
How to Clean Inside Windows
Sokolowski recommends cleaning the interior of your windows with equal parts white vinegar and water. Here’s how to do it.
Materials Needed
- White vinegar
- Water
- Bucket or spray bottle
- Dish soap (optional)
- 5-6 Microfiber cloths
- Squeegee
- Vacuum with a brush attachment
- Toothbrush
Instructions
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a bucket (you can also make it in a spray bottle). Optional: add a few drops of dish soap to help cut through grease and grime.
- Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove dust or dirt from the window surfaces.
- Dip a clean microfiber cloth into the cleaning solution and wipe the entire window surface with the damp cloth, moving in an S pattern from left to right.
- Using a squeegee, start at the top of the window and pull it down in a straight motion. Repeat until you’ve covered the entire window.
- Use a dry cloth and wipe the edges and corners of the window to remove any remaining moisture.
- Using a vacuum with a brush attachment, remove any dirt from the windowsill.
- Dip a microfiber cloth in the vinegar-water solution and wipe the windowsill.
- Use a toothbrush to scrub any tough stains.
- Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.
- Take a step back and inspect the window for any streaks or spots. If you notice any, you can buff them out with a clean, dry cloth.
The vinegar-water mix is a lifesaver because it’s cheap and effective—white vinegar’s acetic acid cuts through grease like nobody’s business. I’ve been using this method for years, and it costs maybe a couple of bucks for a bottle of vinegar that lasts months. One thing I’ve learned is to avoid over-wetting the cloth; too much solution can leave streaks, which is frustrating after all that effort. If you’re dealing with super stubborn spots, like dried paint or tree sap, a quick dab of rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth works wonders before you hit it with the vinegar mix. Just be gentle to avoid scratching the glass.
How to Clean Outside Windows
If your windows are located on an upper floor, make sure that you have a stable and safe ladder, or consider using an extension pole for hard-to-reach areas, says Sokolowski. Here’s a simple method to clean your exterior windows and make them sparkle. Clean your windows when it’s cool, such as in the morning or on a cloudy day, says Craig Thomas, virtual handyperson expert for Frontdoor. Avoid doing this chore on a day with bright sun, as the heat can cause the cleaning fluid to dry, which will result in streaks or water spots.
Materials Needed
- Soft brush or sponge
- White vinegar
- Water
- Bucket
- Dish soap (optional)
- Water hose with sprayer attachment
- Microfiber cloth(s)
- Squeegee
Instructions
- Use a soft brush or a sponge and remove dirt or cobwebs from the window surfaces.
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a bucket. Add a few drops of dish soap to help cut through grease and grime.
- Use a hose with a sprayer attachment to wet the window thoroughly.
- Dip the cloth or your sponge in the vinegar and water solution and scrub the window surface, paying close attention to any stubborn areas with built-up grime.
- Using a squeegee with an extension pole, start at an upper corner of the pane and draw the squeegee down in a straight stroke. After each stroke, wipe the rubber edge of the squeegee with a sponge or lint-free cloth. Return to the top and repeat, slightly overlapping the first stroke.
- Use a dry cloth and wipe the edges and corners of the window.
- Take a step back and inspect the window for any streaks or spots. If you notice any, you can buff them out with a clean, dry cloth.
Timing is everything with exterior windows. I learned the hard way that cleaning in direct sunlight is a recipe for streaks—Craig’s tip about sticking to cooler times of the day is spot-on. The vinegar solution works great outside too, but if you’re in an area with hard water, you might notice mineral spots lingering. A quick rinse with filtered water after the final wipe-down can help. Also, investing in a good squeegee with a replaceable rubber blade—maybe $10-15 at a hardware store—makes a huge difference for getting that professional, streak-free finish without breaking the bank.
How to Clean Window Tracks
Don’t neglect the window tracks when deep cleaning your windows.
Materials Needed
- Vacuum with a brush attachment
- White vinegar
- Water
- Toothbrush
- 2 Microfiber cloths
Instructions
- Using a vacuum with the brush attachment, remove dirt, dust, and debris from the window tracks.
- In a small bowl, mix white vinegar and water.
- Apply the mixture to the tracks using an old toothbrush. Let the mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Scrub the tracks with the toothbrush.
- Dampen a microfiber cloth with clean water and wipe away the cleaning solution.
- Dry the tracks with a clean microfiber cloth.
Window tracks are like the forgotten stepchild of cleaning, but they can get nasty fast. I’ve seen tracks in older homes collect so much gunk that it actually jams the window. Letting the vinegar solution sit for a bit, like the instructions suggest, really helps loosen up that stubborn dirt. If you’re dealing with really grimy tracks, try sprinkling a pinch of baking soda over the vinegar mix—it fizzes and helps lift the dirt without much elbow grease. Just don’t overdo it, or you’ll have a mess to clean up. This little trick has saved me time on tracks that looked like they hadn’t been touched in years.
How to Clean Window Screens
Window screens can build up with dust, debris, and bug residue. Here’s an easy and effective way to clean them.
Materials Needed
- Dish soap
- Water
- Bucket
- Tarp (optional)
- Vacuum with the brush attachment
- Soft bristle brush
Instructions
- Mix a little dish soap and warm water in a bucket.
- Remove window screens and place them on a tarp on the ground.
- Using a vacuum with the brush attachment, remove dirt, dust, and debris from the window screens.
- Dip a soft bristle brush into the soapy water and scrub the screen in a circular motion.
- Rinse off the screens with warm water.
- Allow screens to dry completely on the tarp before replacing them on the windows.
Screens are a magnet for pollen and bug gunk, especially if you leave windows open in the summer. I’ve found that giving them a good vacuum first, like the instructions say, saves a ton of scrubbing later. If your screens are super delicate or old, go easy with the brush—too much pressure can tear them. A pro tip: if you’re in a rush, you can lean the screens against a wall to dry, but make sure they’re completely dry before putting them back to avoid trapping moisture, which can lead to mold. A decent soft bristle brush costs around $5, and it’s worth every penny for how much easier it makes this job.
How to Maintain Windows
Keep your windows free of dust, dirt, pollen, and other debris by keeping up with maintenance in between cleans.
- Ensure that landscaping is trimmed away from windows to reduce dirt and pollen accumulation.
- Change HVAC filters regularly to minimize indoor dust.
- Clean curtains and drapes and vacuum around windows regularly.
- Dust windowsills and frames between deep cleanings.
- Keep your windows closed when you can to reduce pollen buildup.
- Avoid wiping the glass with materials that leave lint behind, like paper towels.
Regular maintenance is key to avoiding marathon cleaning sessions. I’ve noticed that trimming bushes a few feet back from windows really cuts down on the dirt that sticks to the glass—less pollen and fewer leaves blowing around. Also, swapping out HVAC filters every couple of months (they’re usually $10-20 for a pack) makes a noticeable difference in indoor dust, which means less grime on your interior windows. One thing I do is keep a microfiber cloth handy for quick touch-ups on sills between deep cleans—it takes two minutes and keeps things looking sharp.
