Do dust build-ups make the outsides of your windows look grimy and unwelcoming? Maybe you have postponed the chore of cleaning them for too long and now they are becoming harder and harder to shine. To effectively clean outside windows, it is important to use specific tools and techniques. Using a U-shaped telescopic pole and a double-sided squeegee, along with a proper cleaning solution, can tackle grime efficiently.

Avoid cleaning on sunny days to prevent products from baking onto the glass. Outside window cleaning is one of the more unpleasant household maintenance tasks, and it is only natural that you put off taking care of it for as long as possible. Fortunately, there are several neat tricks that you can use that will help you make the process much easier, and smoother and deliver results that live up to even the highest industry standards – all without the need to resort to the services of professional window cleaners.

The Necessary Preparations

Even though outside window cleaning doesn’t need to happen more than twice a year, approaching it without the right tools can turn the process into a nightmare. So make sure that you have everything you need at hand before you go about the job to achieve clean windows. Let’s not forget that additionally if you try to clean your windows without the proper tools and detergents, you might end up making them look even dirtier.

So, make sure that you gather all you need beforehand:

• Broom and/or vacuum cleaner
• Mop and a bucket
• Squeegee
• U-shaped telescopic pole
• Commercial cleaning products or DIY ones like dishwashing liquid and white vinegar
• Magnetic window cleaner
• Cloths
• Rubber gloves
• Strip washer

Using a proper cleaning solution is essential to effectively remove dirt and grime.

What exactly your outside window cleaning is going to require depends entirely on the type of your property and the windows you have. In some instances, you may need a ladder and even water fed poles in addition to the list above. In others, a simple cloth and a bucket of water will be more than enough.

Using a Mop

Cleaning windows can be made much easier with a good, old-fashioned mop, which works miracles for washing windows on the outside from the inside of the house or the apartment. Put some cleaning detergent, or equal parts dishwashing liquid and white vinegar in a bucket of water to create an effective DIY window cleaner, and dip the mop in it. Remove the majority of the dirt and dust build-up from the outside of your windows with the mop. Then use a microfiber cloth to wipe and polish the glass.

Using a Magnetic Window Cleaner

If you are living in an upper-floor flat, you might find cleaning dust and dirt buildups from the outside of your hard to reach outside windows to be a challenging task. In such cases, magnetic window cleaners are a real lifesaver. In addition to making the process safer and easier, they allow you to reach even places that are typically outside of your reach with other tools. Magnetic window cleaners that you can operate from inside of your home come with a microfiber cloth that gently wipes away the commercial cleaning fluid or the homemade one you are using to get rid of the grime covering your windows. Just remember to move gently and slowly so as to not disconnect the magnets of the device.

Using a Squeegee

A Squeegee might look like a professional-grade tool, and it is indeed the licensed window cleaner’s best friend, but you can make good use of it as well. It is best to use this tool when you can access your windows by ladder only. Due to the fact squeegees have short handles you can easily operate them while on the ladder without putting yourself in danger. There are squeegees with extendable handles in case your windows are higher.

For high windows, using squeegees with extendable handles can help you clean effectively without the need for a ladder, reducing the risk of falls. One of the best features of quality squeegees is the advanced microfiber cloths that you will find attached to them. So, you can use the squeegee side to remove the dirt and dust buildups from your windows, and then wipe the water and detergents by simply flipping the tool over. No need to wear extra cloths. For a streak-free finish, use a microfiber cleaning cloth to wipe down the glass after using the squeegee.

Using a Telescopic Pole

U-shaped telescopic poles are great tools for window cleaning when you don’t want to get outside on the ledge. They work particularly well on double-hung and sliding glass windows, and they make it easier to clean the window frame along with the glass. Using the right window cleaning solution is crucial to ensure clarity and avoid streaks. They also help you clean the window tracks as well, which is a pretty daunting task. Just remember to place some large cloth on the floor beneath the windows, so that you don’t have to vacuum and wash it as well once you are done.

Sliding Windows

If you have sliding glass windows at home, the easiest and safest way to clean them, including the window sill, would actually be to remove the window panes from the frame. Carefully unhinge the slides and place the windows on the floor covered with cloth or a blanket. Use a microfiber cloth to rinse the dirt and then another one to dry and polish the glass. Work carefully so as to not break the glass. You will be amazed how quickly you will be able to complete the task, and how little effort removing and placing back up the sliding glass windows takes.