Tips and Tricks for Streak Free Windows and Mirrors

The first thing that guests notice in a home are dirty floors, smelly garbage and mirrors and windows you can’t see through. Make a sparkling first impression with these simple tips and tricks that help make the glass surfaces in your home shine.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Window cleaner

It’s important to remember to use a cleaner designated specifically for glass. Using a general household cleaner will likely leave a hazy film over your windows and mirrors, resulting in them looking dirtier than before. There are also many different kinds of specialty window cleaners, like Windex or easy homemade versions that do the trick.

A flat-weave microfiber cloth

Choosing this type of cloth over paper towels or newspapers ensure the job is done well the first time around. The flat-weave technology makes this cloth very absorbent, promoting fast drying and a lint-free finish.

Rubbing alcohol and a cotton pad

In order to properly remove all stains and spots from your surfaces, pretreat your windows and mirrors with a rubbing alcohol soaked cotton pad.

Tips

Do not use paper towels

Paper towels can leave behind unsightly lint particles. Also, the amount of paper towels needed to properly clean windows or glass quickly adds up and becomes wasteful.

Refrain from using newspapers

Using newspapers to clean glass surfaces was once a popular household trick. Unfortunately, today’s newspapers are printed with a type of ink that leaves a filmy residue on windows and mirrors. Opt for a flat-weave microfiber cloth for the best possible results.

Tricks

1. Pre-clean the surface by applying a cotton pad soaked with rubbing alcohol to pick up any globs or gunky buildup, like toothpaste or hairspray. Work quickly, moving from the top to the bottom as rubbing alcohol dries quickly. Think of this like spot treating a stain before throwing an article of clothing in the wash.
2. Mist the glass with cleaner and be careful not to soak the mirror. This will lead to your microfiber cloth becoming oversaturated and will only create more work.
3. Fold your cloth into quarters to save more of the usable cleaning surface until you really need it. When one side of the cloth is saturated, flip it and continue working with a fresh surface.
4. Clean using the ‘S Pattern.’ Start at the top left corner of the surface and zig-zag your way down the length of the mirror. Now you won’t accidentally miss a spot, create streaks or waste extra energy.
5. Check for scuffs by looking at the mirror at a 45 degree angle. Changing your perspective changes the way the mirror reflects light to your eyes, so you are able to see streaks you wouldn’t notice looking straight on. You can spot clean any areas that need extra treatment by spraying your cloth and quickly wiping, then buffing the streak dry.

If you’re unable to find the time to properly clean all the windows in your home, call J & J Window Wash  to schedule an appointment at 702.274.8128. Trust the top Las Vegas cleaning service to get the job done right.

August 7, 2014