Can I Wash My Own Windows, Or Should I Use A Professional? | BCS Cleaning Specialists

As with so many things in life, of course it is entirely possible to clean your own windows. They’re only innocuous panes of glass, after all. And there is something rather fun and industrious-seeming about washing one’s own windows. The first time. And then you realize how much sheer brawn and attention to detail is involved and the shine (pardon the pun) on the whole affair promptly disappears and you run to the nearest window cleaning professional, begging for relief.

If you’re determined to give it a try, here are our professional tips and suggestions from a lifetime of skilled window washing to get you started:

1   Use a strip applicator.

Cleaning picture windows requires large, dedicated tools. The long cloth head of a strip applicator soaks up lots of lovely soapy water and dislodges dirt without scratching the glass. For a cleaning solution, we suggest using just a teeny squirt of dishwashing liquid and about a half-cup of plain white vinegar in a bucket of warm water—the less suds, the better. The more suds you put on the glass, the more water and elbow grease you’ll have to use to remove them. And modern soap products are highly effective emulsifiers – you only need a teeny bit to go a long way.

2   Wipe clean with a squeegee

This is the fiddly bit! Professional window cleaners make it look easy and quick, but wielding a squeegee is a skill that comes with a lot of practice. 

Starting at the top left of your window, pull the squeegee over the still-soapy pane in a reverse-S pattern (do the opposite if you’re left-handed). Keep the squeegee in contact with the window through the entire motion, keeping your wrist loose and bendy. Don’t apply too much pressure on the squeegee or you’ll get strange lines on the glass – just keep enough pressure to keep it in contact with the pane. At the end of each stroke, wipe the squeegee’s blade clean with a lint-free cloth. Old linen napkins are perfect for this.

Alternative Method:

If you’re washing the outside of your windows, you can get all big-gunsy about it and just use the hose to wash the suds off the glass. And then proceed to the last step. We would suggest doing one window at a time though if you’re going to do it this way, as the water will dry and leave nasty little mineral deposits and spots on the glass if you don’t get to it right away. 

3   Remove any remaining drips

Remove any water or suds remaining on the edges of the glass with a damp, wrung-dry chamois, which soaks up wetness without leaving streaks. Dry the windowsill with a rag. Repeat with the other side of the window. Don’t be tempted to use anything other than a damp chamois for this purpose – anything else WILL leave streaks and bits of fluff. It’s worth investing in a good chammy if you’re planning to clean your own windows regularly. It’s a jolly useful bit of kit. 

At BCS, we understand the appeal of window washing. After all, we’ve chosen to do it full-time. But window-cleaning seems to be one of those peculiar things like Marmite and peanut butter – you either love it or hate it. We were promptly hooked on the soaking, scrubbing, polishing and squinting that are all entailed with the process of cleaning windows properly. 

If you feel the same, hurrah – welcome to the club! If you’re not immediately enthralled with the idea of dripping elbows and near-death ladder experiences, give the experts at BCS a call at 801 561 1730. We’ll come charging over with our enthusiasm and fancy-looking tools to get your windows sparkling like new in a jiffy!