To clean windows without streaks, wash the glass with a few drops of dish soap in warm water, pull a squeegee down from the top in overlapping strokes while wiping the blade dry between each one, then run a dry microfibre cloth around the edges. Do it on an overcast day rather than in direct sun, because sunlight dries the glass before you can wipe it and that is what leaves streaks. The squeegee and the shade do most of the work.
Streaky windows are almost never about the cleaner you use. They come from the glass drying too fast, a dirty cloth, too much detergent or the minerals in tap water. Get the method right and cheap soapy water will out-clean any spray bottle. This guide covers the streak-free technique, what to actually clean windows with, and how to fix the common causes of streaking.
The streak-free method in short:
- Out of the sun: clean on an overcast day or a shaded side, never hot glass.
- Light on soap: a few drops of dish soap in warm water, no more.
- Squeegee top-down: overlapping strokes, wipe the blade dry each time.
- Dry the edges: finish the frame and edges with a dry microfibre cloth.
How do you clean windows without streaks?
The reliable method is wash, squeegee, dry the edges, working out of direct sun. Washing lifts the dirt, the squeegee takes the water off cleanly in one pass, and drying the edges catches the drips a squeegee leaves behind. The single biggest streak-saver is wiping the squeegee blade dry after every stroke, because a wet or dirty blade just redraws the mess across the glass.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Dust off | Brush or wipe loose dirt and cobwebs first |
| 2. Wash | Sponge or cloth with warm water and a few drops of dish soap |
| 3. Squeegee | Top to bottom in overlapping strokes, wipe the blade each time |
| 4. Dry edges | Run a dry microfibre cloth around the frame and edges |
| 5. Buff | Buff any remaining marks with a clean, dry microfibre |
What is the best thing to clean windows with?
Plain warm water with a few drops of dish soap is the best all-round window cleaner, and it beats most sprays because it cuts grime without leaving a residue. A half-and-half mix of white vinegar and water is a good streak-free alternative, especially for a final wipe, since the mild acid cuts through film. Commercial sprays work too, but the common mistake with all of them is using too much product, which leaves the very streaks you are trying to avoid.
| Cleaner | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dish soap and warm water | General window cleaning | Cheap, low residue, use sparingly |
| White vinegar and water (50/50) | Streak-free finish, light film | Mild acid cuts residue |
| Commercial glass cleaner | Quick touch-ups | Easy to over-apply and streak |
| Purified or deionised water | Spot-free outdoor and high windows | Dries with no mineral marks |
For the cloth, microfibre is the one to reach for. The old trick of finishing with scrunched newspaper does work because newsprint is lint-free, but microfibre does the same job without the ink and is reusable, so there is little reason to keep newspaper around for it.
Why do my windows dry streaky?
Windows dry streaky for four main reasons, and none of them is the cleaner. Cleaning in direct sun dries the glass before you can wipe it. Too much detergent leaves a film. A dirty cloth or dirty water smears grime around rather than lifting it. And hard tap water dries and leaves faint mineral spots. Fix those four and the streaks disappear.
| Cause of streaks | The fix |
|---|---|
| Cleaning in direct sun | Work on an overcast day or the shaded side |
| Too much detergent | Just a few drops of soap per bucket |
| Dirty cloth or water | Fresh water, clean microfibre, wipe the blade |
| Hard water minerals | Dry the glass fully, or use purified water |
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Get a free quoteHow do you clean windows without a squeegee?
You can get a good result with two microfibre cloths, one damp to wash and one dry to buff. Wash the glass with your soapy water, wipe most of it off with the damp cloth, then buff the glass dry in circular motions with the clean dry cloth until it is clear. It takes a little more effort than a squeegee on big panes, but on smaller windows it works fine and is often quicker than setting up a squeegee.
How do you clean the outside of windows and high windows?
Outside windows take more, because they cop weather, dust and hard water spotting that inside glass never sees, and the high ones are out of easy reach. The safest way to do exterior and second-storey glass is a water-fed extension pole with purified water, which cleans and rinses spot-free from the ground with no ladder. We cover the full approach in our guide on how to clean outside windows, including the high ones.
How much does professional window cleaning cost?
Professional window cleaning in Australia is usually priced per window or as a flat job rate, and a standard home commonly lands in the low-to-mid hundreds of dollars for inside and out. These are general market ranges, not a set price, because it depends on how many windows you have, whether they are single or double storey, and whether you want inside and out or just the outside.
That is why we quote each job. At Outdoor Revival you deal with Michael, who looks at your windows and gives you a straight number with no call-out fee. We clean windows, including high and second-storey glass with a water-fed pole, across Melton, Werribee, Sunbury and Melbourne’s west. See the finish in our gallery, the full breakdown in our guide to window cleaning cost, or the service on our window cleaning page.
Common questions about cleaning windows
What is the best homemade window cleaner? A few drops of dish soap in warm water for washing, and a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water for a streak-free finish. Both beat most shop-bought sprays because they clean without leaving a residue, as long as you do not overdo the amount.
Should you clean windows with vinegar or dish soap? Both work. Dish soap is better for cutting through general grime and greasy film, while a vinegar and water mix is great for a final streak-free wipe. Many people wash with soapy water and finish with vinegar.
Why are my windows still streaky after cleaning? Almost always the sun or the cloth. If you are cleaning in direct sunlight the glass dries too fast, and if your cloth or water is dirty you are just moving grime around. Move to the shade, use fresh water and a clean microfibre, and wipe your squeegee between strokes.
How often should you clean your windows? Two to four times a year suits most homes, more if you are near dust, unsealed roads or the coast. Outside glass gets dirty faster than inside, so many people do the outside more often than the inside.
