How Do I Use A Squeegee On My Windows Without Streaks?
Windows are great. They keep us dry, warm and protected from bugs and inquisitive birds. And while it may not be terribly high on most people’s list of favorite springtime jobs, washing them is a must, for a whole host of reasons. Not least of which is so that you can see through them.
But that squeegee thingamajig looks so intimidating! And professional window washers wave it about with such seeming ease and grace. Is there a correct way to use a squeegee without causing yourself or your windows grievous bodily injury? Here is our three-step guide to washing your own windows with the mighty squeegee:
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 homemade cleaning solution, we suggest using just a teeny squirt of dishwashing liquid in a bucket of warm water—the fewer 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 great emulsifiers (translation: great at making bubbles) – you only need a teeny bit to go a long way.
2 Use your fancypants squeegee to wipe clean
This is the fiddly bit! Professional window cleaners make it look super duper easy, but effectively wielding a squeegee is takes a lot of practice to master.
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.
3 Wipe off any remaining drips
Remove any water or suds remaining on the edges of the glass with a very slightly-damp, wrung-dry chamois or glass cloth, 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.
If you’ve attempted to wield a squeegee and are ready to throw in the towel, give the experts at City Creek Window Cleaning at 801 261 5565. We’ll take all the whining out of window cleaning and have your panes sparkling in a jiffy. With a few impressive waves of the squeegee!