How to Clean Windows Without Streaks

Use a squeegee with distilled water and a drop of dish soap, working from top to bottom in overlapping strokes, then wipe the squeegee blade clean after each pass.

1. Gather Streak-Free Supplies. You'll need a squeegee, microfiber cloths, a bucket, distilled water, liquid dish soap, and a scrubber or sponge. Skip the paper towels and newspaper - they leave lint and fibers behind. Distilled water prevents mineral spots that tap water can leave.
2. Clear Away Loose Debris. Brush away cobwebs, dust, and loose dirt from the window frame and sill. If you skip this step, you'll just push dirt around when you start washing, making your job harder.
3. Balance Your Soap Solution. Fill your bucket with distilled water and add just a few drops of liquid dish soap - less than a teaspoon per gallon. Too much soap creates more suds and leaves residue that causes streaking.
4. Wet and Scrub Completely. Dip your scrubber or sponge in the soapy water and wash the entire window surface, including the edges and corners. Work from top to bottom to prevent drips on areas you've already cleaned.
5. Squeegee in One Motion. Starting at the top corner, pull the squeegee across the window in one smooth stroke. Overlap each stroke by about an inch and work your way down. Keep steady pressure and maintain contact with the glass throughout each stroke.
6. Dry Blade Between Strokes. After each stroke, wipe the squeegee blade completely dry with a lint-free cloth. Any water left on the blade will streak the next section you clean.
7. Finish the Edges First. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe any remaining water from the window edges, corners, and sill. These spots often get missed by the squeegee and can leave water marks if ignored.