How to Get Streak-Free Windows

Streaky windows after cleaning are one of the most frustrating household problems — you put in the effort and end up with glass that looks worse in direct light than before you started. The cause is almost never the product. It's the method.

Here's the approach that professional cleaners use, and why it works where circular rubbing with a cloth fails.

Why Windows Streak

Streaks happen for three reasons: residue from the cleaning product drying on the glass before you wipe it off, lint left by paper towels or cheap cloths, and cleaning product that's too soapy (which leaves a film as it dries). Understanding these causes makes the solution obvious.

The Professional Method

What you need: a squeegee (even a small $8 one from a hardware store), a microfibre window cloth or a lint-free cloth, a bucket with warm water and just a couple of drops of dish soap (less than you think), and a dry cloth for edges.

1. Dust first. Wipe the window frame and sill before touching the glass. Dust and debris falling onto wet glass will streak it immediately.
2. Apply the solution generously. Use a sponge or window applicator to wet the entire glass surface. The solution needs to stay wet while you work.
3. Squeegee from top to bottom in overlapping horizontal strokes. Start at the top corner and pull the squeegee across in a firm, continuous stroke. Wipe the squeegee blade on a cloth after each stroke. Overlap slightly with each pass so you don't leave a strip between strokes.
4. Wipe the edges. Run a dry microfibre cloth along the edges and bottom of the window where the squeegee can't reach. This is where most streaks are left.
5. Check at an angle. Look across the glass at a 45-degree angle in natural light — this reveals any remaining streaks that aren't visible straight on. Touch up with a dry microfibre cloth.

The Vinegar Method (No Products Needed)

Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle. Apply to the glass and wipe with a lint-free cloth in an S-pattern. Vinegar is excellent on light grime and mineral deposits (common near Sydney's coast from salt air). It leaves no residue and costs almost nothing. It won't cut through heavy grease or paint marks — for those, a small amount of dish soap is more effective.

What Not to Use

• Paper towels — they leave lint. Only use if absolutely no alternative, and use a fresh, dry sheet for the final wipe.
• Too much soap — more soap means more residue. Two drops per bucket is enough.
• Direct sunlight — clean windows in the shade or on an overcast day. Direct sun dries the solution before you can wipe it off, causing streaks no matter what method you use.
• Circular rubbing motions — they move dirt around rather than removing it.

Window Tracks and Frames

Tracks accumulate a surprising amount of compacted dirt and deserve attention before or after cleaning the glass. Use a vacuum with a crevice tool first, then a damp cloth or old toothbrush for the corners. Dirty tracks left unclean will send debris onto clean glass every time the window is opened.

Fly Screens

Remove fly screens and wash them flat with warm soapy water and a soft brush, then rinse and let dry fully before replacing. Dirty fly screens filter every breeze through your home — washing them improves both airflow and indoor air quality.