March 2, 2026, 1:31 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

1. Mistake: Cleaning the Windows Before the Frames

Generally, you should clean the window frames and seals first, then the panes. Dirty wash water will inevitably drip onto the window panes. It’s frustrating if you’ve already cleaned and dried them. Stubborn dirt, like dried bird droppings, can be carefully removed with a glass scraper.

2. Mistake: Using Vinegar Cleaner and Ammonia

If you’ve ever sat by a drafty window in winter, you know the value of intact window seals. But they can suffer and become brittle from the wrong cleaner. Home remedies like vinegar, alcohol, or ammonia are not ideal for window cleaning. Acids or alcohol can attack and damage the seals over time. Vinegar and similar substances have another downside: the windows smell unpleasant after cleaning. However, this odor dissipates over time.

Better: Simply add a splash of grease-dissolving dish soap (without hand additives) to lukewarm water. Make sure not to create too much foam, as it leaves the dreaded streaks and smears on the panes.

3. Mistake: Wiping in a Zigzag Pattern

The right wiping direction is crucial for a clean result. Simply dip a sponge, cloth, or preferably a microfiber cloth into the cleaning water and thoroughly clean the pane. Then rinse with clear water. Finally, dry the window with a squeegee.

Dry the squeegee’s rubber lip with a cloth after each pass to avoid streaks. Alternatively, you can use a squeegee that electrically sucks up the water. Some find such a device cumbersome because it becomes heavy over time. If you don’t have a squeegee, simply polish the window dry with a microfiber cloth.

Important: The higher the quality of the squeegee, the easier the cleaning. With lower quality, the squeegee’s rubber lip becomes porous over time, making streaks almost unavoidable. You can’t easily replace the lip on cheap squeegees, so you’d need to buy a new one.

4. Mistake: Wiping Windows with Old Newspapers

Newspaper is very absorbent and becomes soft. Still, opinions differ on this topic. Many swear by polishing wet windows with a crumpled old newspaper. Others complain that the printer’s ink causes dark spots on the window and frame. It’s worth a try, though.

5. Mistake: Nylon Stockings Polish Better than Leather

At least wet stockings cause streaks. It sounds bizarre, but proponents of this trick believe even the most stubborn streak can be polished away with a nylon stocking. Others say it doesn’t help at all. To be safe, use a microfiber cloth or a chamois.

6. Mistake: Cleaning Windows Only in Sunshine

Professional window cleaners work in all weather conditions. They usually work very quickly, so it doesn’t matter if the sun is shining or not. For amateurs, don’t clean windows in direct sunlight. The heat causes the wet pane to dry quickly, and the evaporated water leaves unsightly streaks.

7. Mistake: Washing Sponges and Cloths Afterward

Even during window cleaning, you should repeatedly wash sponges and cloths thoroughly. Otherwise, the dirt particles they pick up can scratch or streak the glass.

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The Right Equipment

Not much is needed for window cleaning. A bucket of water, cloths, and a squeegee are the basics. For polishing, it’s best to use a microfiber cloth, along with some towels or paper towels. For high windows, you’ll also need a secure step or ladder. And some good music for mental support never hurts.

Clear the Way First

Nothing is more tiring when cleaning than constantly moving objects out of the way. The desire to clean windows fades faster than it came. Before starting the actual task, clear the windowsills of anything in the way. If you want, you can also take down and wash the curtains. The home will shine even brighter afterward. Protect the windowsill and floor with a towel from dripping water.

How Often Should You Clean Windows?

It depends. On the weather and environmental pollution from poor air quality. Your personal cleanliness preference also plays a role. If you live in a rainy region, a glass cleaner with a lotus effect is suitable. The sealing causes raindrops to bead off the window pane, so it doesn’t need to be cleaned as often. Otherwise, many follow the rule of cleaning windows twice a year.