The full process behind streak free windows, inside and out, and why most DIY attempts end up streaky.
Get a Free Quote (816) 539-5496Exterior windows deal with weather, dust, and bug residue baked on by the sun. Interior windows deal with fingerprints, cooking residue, and pet nose prints. Each needs a slightly different approach, which is why we treat them as two separate passes instead of one quick wipe.
We use a soft scrubber pad soaked in a mild soap solution to loosen dirt first, followed by a squeegee to pull the water and grime off cleanly. A lint free cloth handles the corners and edges the squeegee can't reach.
We scrub the glass first to loosen buildup, then pull the squeegee in one long, overlapping stroke instead of short choppy ones. Short strokes are what leave the streaks you usually see on windows washed at home. Corners get a final wipe with a dry cloth.
Screens come out and get rinsed separately so dust and pollen don't just blow back onto a clean window. Tracks get wiped or vacuumed out too, since dirty tracks are the first thing people notice up close even when the glass itself looks great.
Streaking almost always comes down to one of three things: cleaning in direct sunlight so the solution dries too fast, using a dirty squeegee blade, or using too little soap so dirt just gets pushed around instead of lifted off. We work in shade or early in the day whenever we can, and we change squeegee blades often.
Spring after pollen season and fall before winter storms hit are the two times most homes need it most. Homes near trees may want an extra cleaning mid summer when pollen and dust settle fastest.
Sprinkler overspray and mineral rich rain can leave behind hard water spots that a standard soap and squeegee pass won't fully remove. For windows with heavy mineral buildup, we use a more targeted treatment to break down the deposits before the regular cleaning process.
Upper level windows get the same attention as ground floor ones, using extension poles and proper ladder safety rather than skipping the harder to reach spots or rushing through them.
Older homes with storm windows or original wood framed windows need a bit more care, since older frames and seals can be more fragile than modern vinyl or aluminum windows. We adjust technique accordingly rather than treating every window the same.
Clearing window sills of plants or decorations and letting us know about any windows that are painted shut or difficult to access ahead of time helps the visit go smoothly.
Yes, both interior and exterior get cleaned unless you specifically only want one side done.
Yes, screens come out and get rinsed separately as part of the standard service.
Usually it's from cleaning in direct sun, which dries the solution too fast, or from short squeegee strokes instead of one long pull.