How to clean glass without leaving streaks

Dishwashing liquid is a simple and economical way to clean glass, but using the correct method and amount of dishwashing liquid is key to preventing nasty streaks.

 

Here's an expert's guide to cleaning glass with dish soap, as well as helpful tips for using common items like distilled white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and even newspaper to clean glass without leaving streaks.

How to clean glass surfaces without leaving streaks

1. Mix the cleaning solution . Add a drop or two of dish soap to warm water in a bucket or spray bottle.
2. Dampen a microfiber cloth . Dip a clean microfiber cloth in soapy water and wipe the entire glass surface.
3. Rinse with water . If the glass is removable and small enough to wash in the sink or bathtub, do so. If not, take another microfiber cloth, dip it in water, and wipe the glass to remove any dish soap residue.
4. Use a squeegee . Continuous, overlapping strokes from top to bottom help dry the glass evenly and leave it with a crystal clear surface. This process is especially effective on large windows.
5. Dry immediately with a microfiber towel . Use a clean, dry microfiber towel or other lint-free cloth to dry the glass surface immediately to avoid streaks and water spots.

 

Why do streaks appear on glass surfaces?

There are a number of reasons why streaks appear on glass surfaces. While it may seem like using more dish soap on glass will yield better results, the opposite is actually true. Too much soap will create scum and streaks.

Other reasons include using the wrong cleaning tools, not drying the glass surface immediately after cleaning, and washing the glass on hot, sunny days.

' Our top tip is to always clean your glasses on cloudy days or when your glasses are in the shade because when the sun shines directly on the glasses, they get hot and the cleaning solution dries very quickly, which will eventually create streaks, ' says Scott Schrader, cleaning expert and marketing director at CottageCare.

 

Other ways to clean glass surfaces without leaving streaks

Distilled white vinegar

Distilled white vinegar is an economical solution that removes dirt and grease without leaving streaks. Here's how:

1. Make a vinegar glass cleaner . In a bucket or spray bottle, mix equal parts water and distilled white vinegar.
2. Apply a vinegar solution . Spray the vinegar-water solution onto the glass surface or dampen a microfiber cloth with the solution and wipe it over the surface.
3. Clean the glass surface . Using a microfiber cloth, wipe in long strokes from one side of the surface to the other.
4. Use a squeegee. Use the squeegee and move it from top to bottom, in the opposite direction you used when wiping the surface with the microfiber cloth.
5. Dry the glass immediately. Immediately after using the squeegee, take a clean, dry microfiber cloth and dry the glass surface to avoid water spots and streaks.

Rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol can dissolve greasy fingerprints or sticky residue almost instantly. Here's how:

1. Mix the cleaning solution. In a bucket or spray bottle, mix equal parts distilled water and rubbing alcohol. Then, add a tablespoon of distilled white vinegar and mix well.
2. Apply the cleaning solution to the glass surface. Spray the solution on or dampen a clean microfiber cloth and wipe the glass surface.
3. Clean the glass. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the length of the glass from one side to the other.
4. Use a squeegee. Move the squeegee from top to bottom to remove cleaning residue.
   Dry the glass. Using a clean, dry microfiber cloth, wipe the glass surface from side to side.
5. to make sure the glass is completely clean of water and streak-free.

Newspaper

For a streak-free, shiny glass surface, try newspaper. It may seem old-fashioned, but newspaper doesn't leave behind lint like paper towels and has the right texture to buff the glass to a clean shine. Spray the window cleaner onto the glass. Apply the cleaning mixture of your choice to the glass surface.

1. Take a newspaper . Take a black and white newspaper and crumple it into a ball.
2. Clean the glass. Gently peel back the crumpled newspaper and use it to wipe the sprayed glass surface, moving in long strokes from side to side.
3. Polish the glass . Take another piece of newspaper, crumple it up, then unfold it a little. Use it to polish the glass surface to make sure the water is completely gone, streak-free, and shiny.