Say Goodbye To Dirty Windows With A Cleaning Solution Everyone Owns

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The difference between a clean and dirty window can be night and day — literally. Dirty windows not only bring down your curb appeal, but they can also darken your rooms. If you've run out of window cleaner, don't run to the store just yet. You can easily clean your exterior windows using water and a product you almost certainly have in your kitchen: dish soap. Together, the two can clean your windows and leave them looking shiny and practically new.

All you need to keep your windows streak-free is a few drops of dish soap mixed with 2 cups of warm water and ¼ cup of white vinegar.  Spray the solution on your window and wipe it down. This cleaner can work in a pinch if you've run out of one specifically for windows, and it's one of the best ways to clean your windows for a streak-free finish. Because dish soap is a household staple, you're less likely to run out of it for long.

When wiping your windows down with your DIY cleaner, opt for either a newspaper or a microfiber cloth instead of a paper towel. Newspaper is a tried-and-true option for cleaning windows when it's scrunched into a ball. After spraying your solution, scrunch up the newspaper and wipe the window down. Even better, you can recycle it once you're done. For a reusable option, choose a microfiber towel, like these USANooks Microfiber Cleaning Cloths on Amazon. When you're done, throw them in the washing machine and save your paper towels for bigger messes.

The key to this cleaning trick is simple: dish soap is designed to break down grease and grime. When mixed with water and a little vinegar, it creates an effective cleaning solution for glass surfaces. To maximize its effectiveness, it's best to dust your windows first before you start. This clears debris from the surface and helps the solution reach the glass more effectively. For the screens, use a vacuum attachment to remove dirt and debris from the screen and the window track, the space between the screen and glass. This will make cleaning go much faster than wiping them down, and the dirt will not find its way over to the window that you're trying to clean. Now spray the solution onto the glass and wipe it down.

You can also use this solution in a pressure washer to clean exterior window surfaces. You'll need a pressure between 1300 and 1700 pounds per square inch (PSI) to clean your windows without breaking them. If you don't already have a pressure washer, Westinghouse's Electric Pressure Washer has a max PSI of 2100 and comes with a foam cannon, perfect for your window cleaner. For apartment dwellers, this Portable Pressure Washer from Naitis doesn't need an electrical outlet or hose. Its PSI tops out at 1200, but it's still a good way to clean high-up windows.