There’s something satisfying about sparkling clean windows. With the right technique, you can get great results yourself on the windows you can safely reach. Here’s what actually works, what to skip, and when to call a professional.
The Right Tools Make All the Difference
- A quality squeegee — 30–45cm wide for large panes. A sharp rubber blade is the biggest single upgrade you can make.
- Microfibre cloths or a scrubber sleeve — Avoid paper towels and newspaper which leave lint.
- A bucket — with a small amount of dish soap. Less than you think — too much creates streaks.
- A lint-free detailing cloth — for drying edges after squeegeeing.
The Step-by-Step Method
Step 1: Choose an Overcast Day or Early Morning
Never clean windows in direct sunlight — the solution dries too fast and leaves streaks before you can squeegee it off.
Step 2: Rinse Off Loose Dirt First
Use a garden hose to rinse the glass before applying any solution. This removes dust and pollen that would otherwise scratch the surface when you scrub.
Step 3: Apply Solution and Scrub
Wet your scrubber and apply soapy solution across the pane using overlapping horizontal strokes. Pay extra attention to edges and corners.
Step 4: Squeegee Top to Bottom
Start at the top corner and pull the squeegee across in one smooth stroke. Wipe the blade clean after each pass. Overlap each stroke slightly.
Step 5: Detail the Edges
Use a dry lint-free cloth to wipe the edges and sill. This catches the water the squeegee misses and is the difference between a good result and a great one.
When to Call a Professional Instead
- Any window above ground level — ladders cause thousands of serious injuries in Australia each year
- Hard water staining or mineral deposits — requires specialist products and technique
- Post-construction dust — silica dust needs careful professional removal to avoid scratching
- Fly screen cleaning — best professionally cleaned and refitted
Need help with the windows you can’t safely reach? Request a free quote from QLD Window Cleaning.