Although my windows always look grimy after winter and I love to see them sparkling in the summer, I don’t enjoy cleaning them. It’s always seemed safer, more effective, and less time-consuming to pay a professional to do it for me, so I’ve shrugged off the best window-cleaning tools as a result.
However, I’ve since learned that nailing how to clean windows isn’t as difficult as it seems – and cleaning windows from the outside doesn’t have to feel like an impossible task if you’re afraid of heights or don’t own a ladder. You just need the right products and tools to hand to help you out, and we’ve tested a lot at Ideal Home.
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The best window cleaning tools
1. Kärcher WV 5 Plus N Window Vac
Almost every member of the team owns this window vac, and we all consider it THE best window-cleaning tool out there. Sure, it can also be used to get rid of condensation on windows, but this rechargeable handheld vac does everything you need it to when cleaning windows. You can wipe them down with the spray bottle that has a microfibre cloth attached and then suck up the residue with impressive suction power. It’s a one-stop shop.
Collapsible Flat Mop Bucket
If you want to keep it old-school when cleaning your windows, a bucket is a must – but we all know how much unnecessary space these things take up in the garage or shed. That’s why I love this collapsible bucket from Dunelm, as it offers a great amount of space for your water and cleaning solution when you need it, but can collapse down for easy storage when it’s not in use.
Easy Clean Telescopic Cleaning Hose Brush Set
If you’re looking for one of the best window cleaning tools for high windows, an extendable tool is essential – especially if you don’t want to risk using a ladder. Our Senior Digital Editor, Jenny, swears by this telescopic hose brush set for her Victorian home – especially as you can hook it up to your garden hose and choose from the bristle brush or squeegee. It’s pretty affordable, too.
4. Joseph Joseph CleanTech 2-in-1 Glass Cleaning Tool
I have made no secret of the fact that I love the JosephJoseph CleanTech set. I’ve been using it in my home every day for the past year or so, and the window cleaning tool is a game-changer. I use it for interior windows mostly, but it can also be used outside and for shower screens and mirrors. It also fits onto the storage pole for easy storage when not in use, too.
5. Vax Steam Fresh Total Home Steam Cleaner
There are so many things you probably didn’t know you could clean with a steam cleaner, but it’s well worth having one of the best steam cleaners in your cleaning cupboard. And while some of them aren’t efficiently designed with windows in mind, Ideal Home’s Senior Digital Editor, Jenny McFarlane, found the Vax Steam Fresh Total Home Steam Cleaner to be ideal for such a task during testing. In fact, her exact words were, ‘Steam really helped get right into the nooks and crannies for a thorough clean.’
6. MR.SIGA Professional Window Cleaning Combo
When I clean my windows, I also like to clean my UPVC front door – and it requires a little more hands-on action to get into the corners. So, I bought this squeegee and microfibre window scrubber set recently, and it’s been a game changer. The scrubber is ideal for working in soap suds, and you can use the squeegee to wipe everything down. Of course, it’s not just limited to front doors. This set is specifically designed for windows – so you can have at it on the rest of your house.
7. E-Cloth Microfibre Window Cleaner Kit
In the past, I’ve found that cleaning my windows with certain microfibre cloths has led to leftover fluff residue and streaking. And although it’s taken me a while to find the perfect alternative, I’ve finally found it in the form of this E-Cloth. Well, there are two cloths, actually. The first is a waffle-weave cloth that can be used with water to clean your windows, and then you finish with a smooth-weave cloth that dries and polishes your panes. The end result is crystal clear.
8. Miniml White Vinegar 750ml
One thing I’ve learned as an adult is that you can basically clean everything with white vinegar (although there are a few things you should never clean with vinegar) and that white vinegar is ideal for a streak-free finish on your windows. Personally, I always choose a spray bottle of vinegar and wait until I’ve used half before filling it up with water and then spraying directly onto my windows. Then, you can wipe it down with a microfibre cloth to create the window cleaning team of dreams.
9. Scrub Daddy Damp Duster
I recently tested three blind cleaning tools to see how they’d fare on the shutters in my house, and in doing so, I fell in love with the Scrub Daddy Damp Duster. Since then, Ideal Home’s Deputy Digital Editor, Rebecca Knight, has become equally as obsessed. And while you can use this versatile product in many ways, it’s also one of the best window cleaning tools out there. You can clean everything with this, from the window panes themselves to the seals and your window sills. You just need to hold it under running water first.
FAQS
What should you not use to clean windows?
When cleaning your windows, you should avoid anything too abrasive or filled with chemicals. Not only will they do a poor job, but they could also damage your windows in the process.
In fact, while you may be tempted to use traditional cleaning products such as bleach, multi-purpose cleaner, or cleaning alcohol, these can all have an adverse effect on your windows and make them look worse than they did before.
Instead, opt for gentler cleaners that won’t leave any sticky residue on your windows or result in streaking or damage. If you can, it’s also a good idea to use filtered water to avoid harsh mineral deposits – but this isn’t always possible.
Is fairy liquid good for cleaning windows?
Yes, fairy liquid and other washing-up liquids are an affordable and effective cleaner when cleaning windows. It’ll cut through dirt and grime with ease and is readily available in homes. However, you need to use it properly to get the most out of it.
To successfully use washing-up liquid to clean windows, you first need to add a few drops to a bucket of warm water (not cold). You should also avoid using too much, as the sticky substance can leave residue on your windows if you’re not careful. This can result in streaks.
So, use it sparingly.
Why do my windows look smeared after cleaning?
There are a few reasons why your windows still look smeared after cleaning. These include:
- Using too much product.
- Using the wrong product (probably one filled with chemicals).
- Improper technique.
- Not wiping/drying the windows properly.
- Dirty tools.
- Mineral deposits in your water.
So, do you think any of these window cleaning tools could help you out?
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