apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

wiping the vinegar with newspaper keeps streaks from appearing, and I heard the ink in the paper was helpful too (but I can't remeber for what). I did this yesterday :-)

I cleaned some filthy windows recently - my dogs put their dirty feet up when they want in or out. I filled a bucket with hot tap water and a cup or so of vinegar. Fired up the combo scrubbie/squeege and got started. I used clean rag-towels to wipe the squeege and polish any errant streaks--worked like a charm.

I recently cleaned some windows that probably hadn't been touched in 20 years. I used equal amounts of white vinegar and hot water, plus a few liberal squirts of dishwashing liquid.

I found a telescoping washer/squeegee thing at Target that worked really well, along with the cleaning solution.

I've never used newpaper on windows, although I've heard about it....love the charming window in the above photo...

I can testify: wiping with newspaper definitely leaves windows streak-free. I once had a particularly uptight landlord refuse to sign off on my move-out until I had re-done the windows to his satisfaction, and nothing but newspaper would satisfy his need for streak-free windows.

I'm glad you posted this I was about to wash my windows today but saw the next few days we're getting rain so... I'll wait.
I've tried using the newspaper and it does work no streaking. And I agree with junklover that window (above photo) is sooo sweet!

Yep, that is a totally sweet little window. I think I’ll take a spin around the intertubes tonight and find me a little white plant basket like that one.

It looks like a lot of people are on the right track with cleaning their windows, but I just wanted to put my two cents in since cleaning windows was my summer job for 7 years. This is what I do, and why:
-Warm water with a tiny bit of suds free ammonia. A teaspoon per gallon is all you really need.
-Wet and scrub the windows with a sponge, and use a scrubbie for really tough spots. A razor blade can be used for things like paint, or really stuck on bug goo, but be careful, and only do it when the window is wet; it can scratch the glass.
-Wipe dry the top and left edges of the window with a soft, clean cloth.
-Use a squeegee in even strokes either from top to bottom or left to right, wiping the water off the blade between strokes.
-Wipe the right and bottom edges dry with your cloth. -Polish missed spots or streaks sparingly. If you wipe too much, you get lint all over the window. If it didn't get clean enough the first time, repeat. If there are lots of streaks, invest in a better squeegee.
The reason for using the ammonia is to have a dissolving agent to break up dirt. The reason for using it in such small amounts is that anything you put on your window besides the water will leave a film. It may look nice at first (like the newspaper method, where the ink provides a nice polish), but that film will attract dirt more quickly. So this method really gets the windows clean and keeps them that way longer.
Just think about it. The people who make Windex don't want your windows to stay clean, they want you to clean them all the time and by more of their product, so they put all sorts of sticky soaps in it! Vinegar may work in the same way as ammonia, I haven't tried it, but I think that the fact that so much goes into the cleaning mixture may mean that it leaves some behind on the window. Ammonia is cheap, you don't have to use much of it, and it doesn't smell bad while you're cleaning because it is so diluted.

I like ammonia so much more than vinegar. It works really well, you don't have the smell that lingers and you only need a tiny bit.

Ammonia is a respiratory irritant ;(

PhoebeArt, thank you for taking the time to share all of this with us; even explaining the 'why' of it all.

PhoebeArt's method is exactly the way I do it. I really think once you get use to using a squeegee you'll never go back. It's fast, easy and leaves your windows looking beautifully clean and streak free. Why do you think the professionals do it that way?

My mom always said to wipe in a rainbow arc pattern, rather than straight lines. No streaks, or at least they are less noticeable this way. I swear by it!

Okay okay this is great, but what do you do if it's dirty *in between* the glass?? HELP! Is it over? Do I need a new window.

So it's one of those windows with glass outside and glass inside and an air pocket in between. It's all clouded and dirty and looks terrible. Maybe I'm just oblivious, but it seems hopeless.

I rent my apartment by the way.

Anyone? :)

Note, the newspaper trick works with ANY glass. I particularily like to use it when washing my cars.

Margie, there's nothing you can do since the glass has been cracked allowing moisture and dirt to be trapped. Unless your landlord would replace it? You could try to paint that one, or hang another antique pane in front to disguise it, or make it a window box?