If Your Glass Still Looks Dirty After Squeegeeing, You May Be Making This Mistake
Plenty of folks have experienced the frustrating scenario of buying all the proper equipment and spending their time meticulously cleaning every inch of glass, only to step back and realize that their windows still look dirty. If your home contains toddlers or dogs — who tend to leave constant nose, mouth, and hand prints on every window they can reach — you might have given up completely, and we don't blame you.
If you've experienced disappointing results when washing your windows with a squeegee, the problem might be simpler than you would guess. In most cases, it comes down to technique. When it comes to effective squeegeeing, technicalities — including the direction you move while cleaning your glass and how often you wipe between swipes — all matter. If you've ever struggled with windows that appear dirty, streaked, or smeared after you clean them with a squeegee, consider this your new troubleshooting guide.
How to properly squeegee windows
Getting your windows clean using a squeegee isn't just about removing dirt and smudges; it's about instantly drying each section to prevent drips and streaks. In order to end up with flawlessly clean windows, it's important to squeegee from the top of the window down to the bottom, slightly overlapping each swipe. This will help any missed liquid travel down to be wiped away rather than getting pulled up to drip down after you've finished cleaning.
There is one other essential aspect of squeegeeing that is commonly overlooked: wiping your squeegee after every swipe. It might look like wiping your squeegee dry every two or three swipes is good enough while you're in the process of cleaning. However, there's a good chance that once you step back and see the whole picture, you'll notice the streaks and smears that come along with leaving cleaning products to air dry. Always take a moment to wipe your squeegee blade on a dry lint-free rag between each and every swipe.
Check your cleaning solution
If you've been following all the steps of proper squeegeeing and your windows still look dirty right after cleaning, you're probably falling victim to the other most common mistake that causes smearing or streaking — using the wrong type of cleaner on your windows. Grabbing any all-purpose solution you can find isn't the way to go when it comes to glass. These products may contain ingredients that can contribute to smears or harsh chemicals that could damage your windows' frames or hardware.
When it comes to cleaning windows, always look for a designated glass cleaner or make your own simple solution. Many professional cleaning companies recommend this route over purchasing a commercial glass cleaner. However, they don't all agree on the ingredients you should use. If you're interested in experimenting, the two most common suggestions seem to be a 50:50 mix of water and white vinegar or hot water with a few small drops of liquid dish soap.