Clean Exterior Windows

Glass tells the truth. Smudged windows dim rooms, obscure views, and make a house look older than it is. But clean glass does more than sparkle—it lets in measurably more light, improves curb appeal, and extends the life of the seals and frames by removing corrosive dirt and mineral deposits. Most homeowners clean interior windows and call it done, but the exterior faces the weather, the pollen, the sprinkler overspray, and the bird strikes. The work itself is straightforward: soap, water, a squeegee, and the right technique. What separates acceptable from excellent is timing—clean on overcast days to prevent flash-drying—and sequence, which keeps dirty water from running onto clean glass. Ground-floor windows take an hour. Second-story work requires a ladder and a spotter. Do this twice a year, spring and fall, and the house looks maintained instead of merely occupied.

1. Remove Loose Grime First. Move planters, furniture, and hose reels away from the windows. Use a garden hose with a spray nozzle to rinse each window, top to bottom, removing loose dirt, spiderwebs, and pollen. This step prevents scratching the glass when you scrub.
2. Soak the Entire Surface. Fill a bucket with one gallon of warm water and three drops of dish soap—more soap creates residue. Dip a clean sponge or window mop into the solution, wring it slightly, and wet the entire window surface with overlapping strokes. Work quickly so the solution doesn't dry.
3. Attack Frames and Sills. Before touching the glass with the squeegee, scrub the window frames, sills, and tracks with the soapy sponge. These areas hold the most grime and will drip onto clean glass if you skip this step. Rinse the sponge frequently.
4. Pull Water Away Methodically. Start at the top corner and pull the squeegee across in a straight horizontal line, overlapping each stroke by an inch. At the end of each pass, wipe the blade with a clean lint-free cloth to prevent streaks. Work downward in sections until you reach the sill.
5. Catch the Hard-to-Reach Edges. Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the perimeter of the glass where the squeegee couldn't reach. Step back and look at the window from an angle—streaks show up in side light. Touch up any missed spots with the cloth, not the squeegee.
6. Restore Screens to Clarity. Lay screens flat on a tarp or lawn. Spray them with a hose, scrub with the same soapy solution and a soft brush, then rinse thoroughly. Let them dry completely before reinstalling—wet screens leave watermarks on clean glass.
7. Inspect in Natural Light. Walk the perimeter of the house and inspect each window from both inside and outside. Look for missed spots, streaks, or areas where soap residue dried. Touch up as needed with a damp microfiber cloth.