How to Clean Windows in a NYC Apartment (Streak-Free, Small-Space Edition)
10.07.2026
To clean windows in a NYC apartment, dust the frame and sill first, then wash the glass with a few drops of dish soap in warm water using a microfiber cloth. Squeegee from top to bottom, wiping the blade after each pass, and buff the edges dry. Do the inside from your sill; skip the exterior if the window doesn't tilt in.
What you'll need
- Two microfiber cloths (one for washing, one for drying)
- A small squeegee (6 to 12 inches fits a NYC sash)
- A bucket or a large bowl, plus warm water
- A few drops of dish soap, or a glass cleaner you already own
- A vacuum with a brush attachment, or a dry paintbrush, for the track
- Old newspaper or a lint-free rag for buffing edges
- A drop towel for the sill and radiator below
Step by step
- Clear the sill. Move plants, candles, and that stack of mail. In a small apartment the sill is storage, so give yourself a working surface first.
- Dry-clean the frame and track. Vacuum or brush out grit, dead flies, and the black city soot that collects in the channel. Wet glass over a dirty track just makes mud.
- Mix your solution. A few drops of dish soap in warm water is enough. More soap means more residue and more streaks.
- Wash the glass. Wipe with a damp (not dripping) microfiber cloth, working top to bottom so drips fall onto dirty glass you haven't reached yet.
- Squeegee. Pull from the top in slightly overlapping strokes, wiping the rubber blade on a dry cloth after every pass. No squeegee? Buff dry with a second, dry microfiber cloth in tight circles, then finish with straight vertical strokes.
- Detail the edges and corners. This is where streaks hide. Run a dry rag or crumpled newspaper around the perimeter.
- Wipe the sill and frame last, then let everything air out before you put your plants back.
What NOT to do
Don't clean windows in direct afternoon sun. The solution flash-dries and locks in streaks before you can squeegee. Wait for shade or an overcast morning. Don't hang out of a non-tilting window or lean off a fire escape to reach the outside pane, and never sit on the sill of an old double-hung sash to get leverage. Keep water off painted wood frames and windowsills longer than necessary, since standing moisture lifts old paint and swells the wood, especially on the pre-war frames common in NYC rentals. Avoid abrasive pads or scouring powder on glass; they leave fine scratches you'll only notice at night with the lights on. And don't spray cleaner directly onto the glass above a steam radiator, where overspray bakes onto the metal.
When to call a pro
DIY covers the inside of every window you can safely reach from your own floor. It stops at anything outside a non-tilting sash, windows painted shut, panes above a fire escape, or the grimy exteriors of a high floor with no access, none of which are worth risking a fall for. If your windows haven't been touched since you moved in, or you want them done as part of a full reset before guests or a move-out, book apartment cleaning with CleanWhale and let someone with the right reach handle it.
FAQ
What's the best homemade window cleaner for apartment glass?
A few drops of dish soap in warm water handles everyday city grime on glass. Keep the mix weak; extra soap is the main cause of streaks. Buff dry with a clean microfiber cloth for the clearest finish.
How do I clean the outside of my windows if they don't open inward?
If the window doesn't tilt in and you can't reach the exterior safely from inside, don't attempt it from a fire escape or ledge. That's a job for a professional with proper equipment, or your building's maintenance staff.
Why do my windows still look streaky after cleaning?
Usually it's too much cleaner, a dirty cloth, or drying in direct sun. Use less soap, switch to a fresh dry microfiber cloth for buffing, and clean when the glass is in shade.
How often should I clean apartment windows in NYC?
Interior glass every one to two months keeps street dust and soot from building up. If you're near a busy avenue or bridge, or you run a window AC, you'll notice film faster and may want to wipe the glass monthly.
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