potted plants in windowThere is nothing like sparkling clean windows to brighten up a home! Our Cincinnati area customers rave about how wonderful their homes looks after our team performs our residential window cleaning services. Sometimes, however, we hear from our customers that they find it a little difficult to maintain that look between cleanings.

Here are three simple window cleaning tips that will help you maintain that fresh look between cleanings:

1. Use the Right Cloth
Didn’t you always used to hear that newspaper was the best choice for cleaning windows? If you are like a lot of folks, however, you may not get a print edition of your local newspaper anymore. An effective alternative is a microfiber cloth. This thin fabric is comprised of a combination of polyester and polyamides. The soft, non-scratch surface of the microfiber effectively attracts dust and lint. Since the microfiber absorbs cleaner and wicks it away, you will have less streaking. Microfiber is also a great environmental choice since it is washable and reusable.

2. Pick the Right Cleaning Formula
When using a store-bought cleaner for your windows, always use a formula that is specifically intended for glass. Not all cleaning formulas are appropriate for glass. Some may leave you with foggy, cloudy windows. If you are the type of person that likes to make things yourself, try this formula: mix 1/2 cup of ammonia, 1 tsp dish soap, 1 pint of rubbing alcohol, and enough additional water to make a gallon of cleaner. Pour this cleaner into a spray bottle for easy application. Store extra cleaner in a well-marked container so it will be easily identifiable and not used for the wrong thing!

3. Buy a Squeegee
The real secret weapon in the battle to eliminate streaks is a squeegee. This is a great cleaning tool, not only for windows, but also mirrors and vehicle windows. Be sure to wipe the blade between each swipe for best results, and change the blade when it gets dull.

For hard to reach windows that would require the use of a ladder, United Window Cleaning always recommends that you leave those jobs for us. As with all household jobs, safety is always the #1 priority!