Having spotless windows doesn’t just enhance the aesthetic appeal of your residence or workplace; it also offers numerous practical advantages, like maximising natural light intake and providing unobstructed views of the outside world. Clean glass not only beautifies but also serves functionality.
Nevertheless, tackling outdoor window cleaning can pose difficulties, particularly when dealing with elevated or awkwardly positioned windows such as those in retail outlets and hospitals. Ensuring safety takes precedence during outdoor window cleaning to prevent mishaps and harm.
In this guide, we’ll share strategies and insights for safely and efficiently cleaning outdoor windows, enabling you to revel in pristine windows without jeopardising your well-being or that of others.
Table of Contents
Before You Start Window Cleaning
Prior to beginning, assess the weather forecast and opt for a tranquil, overcast day to minimise the risk of accidents. Avoid hot sunny days at all costs as the drying of water and cleaning solutions is highly likely to cause streaks. Once you have the weather on your side, assemble all necessary cleaning supplies:
| Recommended Glass Cleaning Equipment |
| Bucket |
| Squeegee |
| A Scrubber |
| Cleaning Solution |
| Robust Ladder |
| Extension Pole |
| Microfibre Cloth |
How to Wash Outside Windows in 7 Simple Steps
1. DE cobweb the Windows:
Using a soft-bristled brush on an extension pole, remove any cobwebs from on or around the windows to prevent them getting caught up in the cleaning process. Cobwebs are often hard to see once wet, so it is best off removing them before getting started.
2. Start by Spraying Down Windows with a Hose:
Next, grab a hose equipped with an adjustable nozzle. Give your windows and the surrounding areas a thorough spray to dislodge dirt and debris. Adjusting the hose’s pressure allows you to reach and clean tricky spots effectively.
3. Soak a Sponge or Brush in Soapy Water:
Prepare your cleaning tools by soaking a sponge or brush in hot, soapy water. Fill a bucket with comfortably hot water and add your preferred cleaning solution. Dish soap works wonders for its gentle yet potent cleaning action. Alternatively, opt for a natural solution like a mixture of white vinegar and water. Once soaked, ensure your sponge or brush is damp but not overly wet.
4. Scrub Windows:
Armed with your hot, soapy water-soaked sponge or brush, tackle the grime on your windows. For those hard-to-reach spots, consider using an extension pole. Attach your cleaning tool to the pole and start scrubbing from the top, working your way down in a circular motion. Regularly rinse your sponge or brush in the soapy water to maintain its cleaning power.
5. Rinse Windows:
Once you’ve scrubbed away the dirt, it’s time for a thorough rinse. Use your hose to wash away any lingering soap and grime, ensuring every inch of the window is cleaned. Pay special attention to corners and edges to remove all traces of dirt and soap residue. Spot-clean any remaining streaks or spots if necessary.
6. Dry Windows:
With your windows rinsed clean, it’s time to dry them off. Opt for a squeegee for the best results, starting from the top and working your way down with firm yet gentle pressure. Wipe the blade clean after each pass to prevent streaks. Alternatively, if you don’t have a squeegee, crumple up a piece of newspaper and use it to wipe the glass in circular motions, absorbing any remaining water for a clear finish.
7. Microfibre Clean Edges:
Often after window cleaning your window edges and sills may still contain water. Run your microfibre cloth around the entire window and absorb any remaining water from running onto your freshly cleaned glass.
Difficult to Reach Windows (High Glass)
Tackling hard-to-reach windows may seem challenging, yet with the appropriate tools and methods, it can be accomplished with safety and ease.
Begin by evaluating the height of the window and deciding whether a ladder or an extension pole is necessary for access. Prioritise ladder stability by ensuring it’s firmly planted before ascending and avoid precarious overreaching or standing on the ladder’s top rungs. If utilising an extension pole, fully extend and lock it into place before commencing your task.
Our Window Cleaning Top Tips
Achieving sparkling clean windows outdoors presents its challenges, but adhering to these guidelines can streamline the process while enhancing safety:
- Opt for overcast days for cleaning: Cloudy weather provides an ideal environment for outdoor window cleaning. Direct sunlight can hasten the drying of cleaning solutions, leading to streaks or spots on the glass. By choosing a cloudy day, you can work at a steady pace, ensuring sufficient time for rinsing and drying without undue haste.
- Implement a two-bucket system: To prevent the spread of dirt and grime, adopt a two-bucket approach. Fill one bucket with clean, soapy water and another with fresh water for rinsing. Dip your brush or sponge into the soapy water, scrub the window, then rinse it thoroughly in the clean water before returning it to the soapy solution.
- Clean windows from top to bottom: Begin your cleaning regimen at the window’s top and work downward systematically. This technique not only minimises drips and streaks but also ensures comprehensive coverage, catching any drips as you progress to the lower sections of the window.
- Maintain regular cleaning intervals: Prevent the buildup of dirt and grime on your outdoor windows by adhering to a regular cleaning schedule. Depending on environmental factors, consider cleaning your windows every few months or more frequently to preserve their clarity and appearance.
- Always have a dry microfibre cloth ready: Keeping a dry microfibre cloth on hand may be the saving grace if you experience water runs. Having one close by can be the difference between quickly cleaning a window run or letting it dry and having to clean the entire window all over again. We know which option we would prefer!
Window Cleaning FAQs
How Often Should You Clean Outdoor Windows?
Typically, homeowners and business proprietors find that cleaning their exterior windows 2-3 times annually suffices. Regular scrubbing of outdoor windows helps deter the accumulation of dirt and debris, averting potential issues like liability concerns. It also prevents bacteria from settling on your windows.
For tackling smudges and fingerprints between scheduled cleanings, contemplate employing a high-quality glass cleaner designed for professional use.
What Cloths Should You Avoid Using When Window Cleaning?
When it comes to cleaning your outdoor windows, steer clear of using paper towels or non-microfibre fabrics. Paper towels may leave behind residue from their disintegration, while common towels often deposit lint. Opt instead for microfibre cloths or newspaper to scrub your windows, ensuring optimal results.
How Can You Avoid Streaking When Cleaning Outside Windows?
Achieving streak-free cleanliness on exterior windows requires a strategic approach involving a two-bucket cleaning system, a squeegee, and a microfibre cloth. Begin by thoroughly scrubbing the window from top to bottom using a brush or sponge drenched in soapy water.
Subsequently, employ the squeegee to eliminate excess water, commencing from the top and progressing downward. Lastly, utilise a microfibre cloth to wipe away any residual water from the window’s edges, ensuring a flawless, streak-free outcome.
Is Windex or Vinegar Better for Windows?
Drawing from our expertise in window maintenance, we’ve identified the following ingredients as highly effective: Distilled white vinegar and water: Harnessing the power of vinegar for window cleaning has stood the test of time, offering reliable results for generations.
What Do Professional Window Cleaners Use on Windows?
Professional window cleaners often rely on either a white vinegar solution or a commercial hard water stain remover to tackle stubborn hard water stains on windows. A popular vinegar solution for this task entails mixing one cup of white vinegar with a 4.5L of distilled or bottled water.
Can You Use Metho to Clean Windows?
Diluted with water at a 50:50 ratio, Methylated Spirits emerges as a highly efficient and economical option for streak-free cleaning of glass and mirrors. A nifty trick is to incorporate it into a spray mop, facilitating effortless window cleaning. This method proves especially advantageous for tall windows or inaccessible areas.
Our Final Say on The Best Way to Clean Outside Windows
Cleaning outside windows presents unique challenges, including accessibility issues for higher or awkwardly positioned windows, requiring ladders, scaffolding, or extension poles that add risk. Weather conditions, such as direct sunlight, can cause cleaning solutions to dry too quickly, resulting in streaks or spots. Outdoor windows also accumulate more dirt, dust, and pollutants, demanding thorough scrubbing and rinsing. Factors like insect residue, bird droppings, and hard water stains further complicate cleaning, often requiring specialised agents or techniques. However, with careful planning, proper equipment, and expertise, achieving clean and sparkling outside windows is possible.
If you’re still searching for cleaning outside windows tips and tricks, don’t hesitate to contact us or check out our blog for more information. We can also reveal other cleaning tips, from How to Clean Carpet Without a Machine to How to Clean a Microwave Quickly and Easily. We’re professionals in the commercial cleaning and domestic industry and are ready to help in almost any way we can, even that means pointing you in the right direction of another expert for advice.
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