How to Clean Windows: The Best Window Cleaning Solution and Method for Streak-Free Glass

The best way to clean windows is to wash the glass with a weak soapy solution, squeegee it dry from top to bottom and finish the edges with a microfibre cloth. Clean on a dull, dry day so the solution does not dry before you remove it. Professional window cleaners use similar tools, while washing-up liquid provides an affordable solution for everyday window cleaning.

This guide covers the best window cleaning solution for each job, the tools you need and a simple 7-step method.

What Is the Best Way to Clean Windows?

The best way to clean windows is to wash the glass with a mild soapy solution, squeegee it dry from top to bottom and dry the edges with a microfibre cloth. A squeegee lifts the dirt and the water off the glass in one pull.

Streaks are dried residue: excess soap, tap-water minerals or dirt held in the cleaning water. Remove the water quickly and completely, and nothing is left to dry into marks.

What Is the Best Window Cleaning Solution?

The best window cleaning solution for most homes is warm water with a small amount of washing-up liquid. Half a teaspoon in 4 litres of warm water is enough. Too much soap is the most common cause of a cloudy film on glass.

Which Window Cleaning Solution Fits Your Problem?

Match your window problem to the right solution below.

Everyday dirt and fingerprints → Washing-up liquid

Mix ½ teaspoon in 4 litres of warm water. Keep it weak to avoid a cloudy film.

White limescale spots or greasy film → White vinegar

Mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part warm water. Neat vinegar can harm seals and etch stone sills.

Quick touch-up on a mirror or small pane → Glass spray

Use it straight from the bottle. Choose ammonia-free, because ammonia can leave a haze.

Outside glass on upper floors → Pure (deionised) water

Apply it through a water-fed pole. The filter system makes this a job for a professional. 

Is Vinegar or Washing-Up Liquid Better for Cleaning Windows?

Washing-up liquid is better for general dirt, and vinegar is better for limescale spots and the greasy film left by old glass sprays. For best results, use soap first, then vinegar on any remaining spots.

Why Vinegar Helps Remove Hard-Water Stains on Windows

Hard tap water leaves chalky white spots on glass, and the mild acid in white vinegar dissolves them. Bristol Water classifies all its supply as moderately hard to very hard, and Thames Water states that all the water in its region is hard.

How to Make a Homemade Window Cleaner with Vinegar

Mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part warm water in a spray bottle. Add one drop of washing-up liquid if the glass is also greasy.

What Tools Do You Need to Clean Windows?

You need a squeegee, a strip washer or sponge, a bucket and two microfibre cloths. A good starter kit costs roughly £40 in the UK and lasts for years.

•   A 25–35 cm squeegee with a sharp rubber blade

•   A strip washer or sponge to spread the solution

•   A bucket of 10 litres or more

•   Two microfibre cloths, one for the blade and one for the edges

•   A soft brush or vacuum nozzle for frames and tracks

Avoid paper towels and newspapers. Paper towels leave lint, and newspaper ink can mark white uPVC frames.

How to Clean Windows Without Streaks: Step by Step

Follow these seven steps to clean windows streak-free, inside or out. A standard window takes about five minutes.

1. Choose a dull, dry day. Strong sun dries the solution before you can squeegee it off, which leaves spots.

2. Clean the frames and sills first. This stops dirty drips running down clean glass.

3. Wash the glass. Work into the corners and soak bird droppings rather than scraping them.

4. Squeegee from top to bottom. Wipe a dry 3 cm strip down one side, start each stroke there and overlap strokes by about 5 cm.

5. Wipe the blade after every stroke. A wet, dirty blade puts a fresh line of water back on the glass.

6. Dry the edges. Run a folded microfibre cloth around the pane, then wipe the sill.

7. Check the glass from an angle. Streaks show best from the side, so buff them away with a dry cloth.

How to Clean Windows Inside and Outside

The method is the same on both sides of the glass. Only the dirt is different.

How to Clean Windows on the Inside

Use less water indoors and lay a towel along the sill first. For small panes, a spray bottle and two microfibre cloths work as well as a squeegee.

How to Clean Windows on the Outside

Rinse the glass with a hose first, because grit dragged across glass can scratch it. Avoid pressure washers, because a strong jet can force water past the seals.

How Do You Clean Upstairs Windows Safely?

The safest way to clean upstairs windows is from the ground, using an extension pole or a water-fed pole. Falls from height were the leading cause of fatal workplace injuries in Great Britain in 2025/26, causing 31 of 126 worker deaths, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

If a ladder is the only option, follow the HSE work at height guidance:

•   Set the ladder at 75°, using the 1-in-4 rule

•   Keep three points of contact while climbing

•   Keep your body between the stiles

•   Secure the ladder, or ask someone to foot it

Why Do Windows Streak After Cleaning?

Windows streak after cleaning because residue dries on the glass before it is removed. Five habits cause most streaks:

•   Using too much soap, which leaves a cloudy film

•   Cleaning in direct sun, which dries the solution into spots

•   Using a worn squeegee blade, which leaves thin lines

•   Washing microfibre cloths with fabric softener, which coats the fibres

•   Skipping the frames, which sends dirty drips down clean glass

Window Cleaning Tips for Better Results

•   Squeegee in opposite directions. Pull vertically outside and horizontally inside, so a leftover streak shows which side it is on.

•   Check for self-cleaning glass. Avoid abrasive pads and silicone-based cleaners on coated glass such as Pilkington Activ.

How Often Should Windows Be Cleaned?

Most UK homes need their outside windows cleaned every 4 to 8 weeks and their inside windows every 2 to 3 months. Homes near busy roads or the coast often need a monthly clean.

What to Remember About Cleaning Windows

Streak-free glass needs four things: a weak soapy solution, a sharp squeegee, dry microfibre and a cloudy day. Diluted vinegar removes hard-water spots, and upstairs glass is safest cleaned from the ground.

The rule of little and often applies at every scale. Regular cleaning prevents dirt, watermarks and mineral deposits from building up, making each cleaning session easier. At home, a clean every 4 to 8 weeks keeps grime from bonding to the glass.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Windows

Can You Clean Windows in Winter?

Yes, you can clean windows in winter, provided the temperature is safely above freezing and the cleaning solution does not freeze on the glass. Use lukewarm water rather than hot, because hot water on cold glass can cause stress cracks.

Is Washing-Up Liquid or Glass Cleaner Better for Cleaning Windows?

Washing-up liquid is generally better for cleaning heavily soiled windows because it removes everyday dirt, grease and fingerprints. Dedicated glass cleaners are more suitable for quick touch-ups on small panes and mirrors. For the best results, use a small amount of washing-up liquid in warm water, then remove the solution with a squeegee and dry microfibre cloth.

How Do You Clean Double-Glazed Windows?

Clean double-glazed windows the same way as single glazing: wash, squeegee and wipe the frames. Avoid abrasive pads and solvents on uPVC frames, and clear the drainage holes at the bottom of the frame.

How Do You Remove Stickers and Paint from Window Glass?

Remove stickers and paint from window glass with a glass scraper held at a low angle on wet glass. Never scrape dry glass, and avoid scrapers on toughened or self-cleaning glass. For paint splashes after renovation work, after builders cleaning covers glass, frames and sills in one visit.

Do Tenants Have to Clean Windows at the End of a Tenancy?

Tenants usually have to clean the inside windows at the end of a tenancy. Outside windows, especially upstairs, are often the landlord's responsibility, so check the tenancy agreement. The end of tenancy checklist landlords actually use lists the other areas inventory clerks inspect.

How Much Does Professional Window Cleaning Cost in Bristol and London?

Professional window cleaning with ProTouchs costs from £35 per property in Bristol and London. The price depends on the number of windows and whether you need inside, outside or both.

Get Streak-Free Windows Without the Ladder

ProTouchs provides professional window cleaning in Bristol and London, inside and out, from £35 per property. Every cleaner is insured and DBS-checked. Add windows to a one-off deep clean or end of tenancy clean on the same visit. Get your fixed window cleaning quote today, usually within the hour.