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DIY Window Cleaning: Tips & When to Hire a Professional

May 30, 2025

Sunlight streaming through spotless windows has a way of making a home feel brighter, like a fresh start. But today, instead of crystal-clear reflections, you’re met with streaks, dust, and smudges. Time to take matters into your own hands, right? If that sounds like you, here are some expert DIY window cleaning tips and tricks that may make your day of cleaning windows less of a chore.

DIY Window Cleaning: Tips

If you’re determined to tackle the job yourself, here are our DIY tips:

  • Start with the right tools: Nothing is more frustrating than starting a job and not having everything you need. Before you even think about filling a bucket, make sure you have the basic tools.
    • A good scrubber makes all the difference to break up the grime. This is what we use, the Ettore Complete Pro+ Microfiber Stripwasher.
    • If you need a squeegee, go ahead and buy a professional grade. The time saved and stress avoided when you have the right tools outweighs the cost of buying higher quality supplies. Here is our go-to from Window Cleaning Resource.
    • Make sure you have plenty of microfiber towels. If you think you need 5, go ahead and get 10. It’s easier to return what you didn’t use than it is to stop mid-job and go buy more supplies. This is our favorite one: Squeegee Life Towel. We call it the streak eraser! 
  • Start small: Choose a side of the house that has the fewest windows and start there. The satisfaction of a job well done will propel you to keep going.
  • Start washing: We use a mixture of dawn dish soap, water, and a glass gleam solution (it helps the squeegee glide better). Get the scrubber wet and thoroughly scrub the window. Use the squeegee to remove the water, and finish with the microfiber towel for a sparkling shine.

Why Hiring a Pro is the Smarter Choice

You start off strong – bucket and scrubber ready, microfiber cloths in hand, music playing. At first, things seem to be going well. But soon, your arms get tired and streaks appear on the glass no matter how mindful you are. You try different angles, different tools, but stubborn grime lingers. And let’s not even talk about the headache of reaching those second-story windows safely.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.

Even with the best tools and a solid plan, window cleaning can be harder than expected. That’s why many people start with good intentions but find themselves frustrated mid-job. And that’s when they call us.

Before you go another round with streaks and smudges, here’s why professionals make all the difference.

  • Flawless Finish: Say goodbye to streaks, smudges, and missed spots. We use specialized solutions for crystal-clear results.
  • Safety First: No ladders, no risky balancing acts. Let trained professionals handle those hard-to-reach areas.
  • Time-Saving Convenience: Skip the hassle and reclaim your weekend. We’ll get the job done faster and better.
  • Long-Term Benefits: Professional cleaning extends the life of your windows by preventing buildup and damage.

We have expert techniques and equipment as well as access to specialized solutions and tools that eliminate stubborn dirt and water stains.

When to Call in the Pros

While keeping your windows free of surface dust and dirt each month is something you can easily tackle on your own, consider hiring a professional about every six months for a deep clean. When you have a good base, it’s easier to maintain the sparkling shine of your windows between professional deep cleans. Other times a professional should be your first call is:

  • Post-Construction or Renovation: Dust and debris from home projects require expert removal.
  • Persistent Stains & Hard Water Spots: When DIY methods fail, professionals restore clarity and shine.

Before you spend another weekend battling streaks and climbing ladders, let us handle the hard part. Get a free, no-obligation quote today. Your sparkling windows (and free time!) are just a call away.

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