How to Clean Apartment Windows Without Streaks
11.07.2026
To clean windows without streaks, work on a cloudy day (direct sun dries the glass too fast), use a microfiber cloth or squeegee instead of paper towels, and wipe in one direction. Spray a light mist of glass cleaner or a diluted vinegar-and-water mix, then buff dry immediately with a clean, lint-free cloth.
What you'll need
- Two microfiber cloths (one for washing, one dry for buffing)
- A small squeegee with a soft rubber blade
- Glass cleaner, or a spray bottle with 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water
- A drop of dish soap for greasy city-window grime
- A bucket of warm water
- An old towel to catch drips on the sill and radiator below
- A step stool for tall sashes (skip the ladder near an open window)
Step by step
- Dust the frame and sill first with a dry cloth so you don't turn grit into muddy streaks the moment you add water.
- Wash away heavy grime with warm water and a drop of dish soap, especially on street-facing panes that collect soot and exhaust film.
- Mist the glass lightly with your cleaner. A little goes far indoors; over-spraying leaves residue that dries into streaks in a small, warm apartment.
- Pull the squeegee from top to bottom in slightly overlapping strokes, wiping the blade with a dry cloth after each pass.
- No squeegee? Wipe the inside pane in vertical strokes and the outside in horizontal strokes. That way, if a streak shows up, you instantly know which side it's on.
- Buff the edges and corners with your dry microfiber cloth while the glass is still slightly damp.
- Check your work from an angle, in low light. Streaks hide in a straight-on view and appear when the light shifts.
What NOT to do
Don't use paper towels or newspaper on modern glass; they shed lint and the ink can smear on some coatings. Don't clean windows in direct sunlight, because the cleaner evaporates before you can wipe it and leaves a cloudy film. Avoid spraying cleaner directly onto painted or wood sashes and mullions, where it can seep in and lift the finish; spray the cloth instead. Never let liquid pool on a steam radiator sitting under the window, and don't spray a hot radiator. If your apartment has old, painted-shut or non-opening windows, don't force the sash; clean only the reachable interior side. Skip abrasive pads and scouring powders, which scratch glass permanently.
When to call a pro
DIY handles the inside of most apartment windows just fine. Where it stops is the outside of a sealed or non-opening pane, anything above the first floor that you'd have to lean out for, and years of built-up film that no amount of wiping shifts. Reaching out a high window over a New York City street isn't worth the risk, and many leases prohibit it anyway. If you're facing move-out glass, a whole apartment of grimy windows, or panes you simply can't safely reach, it's worth booking apartment cleaning with CleanWhale and letting someone with the right equipment handle it.
FAQ
Why do my windows streak even after I clean them?
Usually it's too much cleaner, a dirty cloth, or drying too slowly in the sun. Use less product, switch to a fresh microfiber cloth, and buff the glass dry right away rather than letting it air-dry.
Does vinegar and water really work on glass?
A diluted white vinegar solution cuts through everyday film and grease and rinses clean without leaving residue, which is why it wipes streak-free. Use about 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water, and skip it on natural stone sills, where the acid can etch the surface.
How do I clean the outside of a window I can't open?
For a ground-floor pane you can sometimes reach it from outside with a squeegee on an extension pole. Above that, or on a fixed sealed unit, leave the exterior to a professional with proper access equipment rather than leaning out.
How often should I clean apartment windows?
In the city, street-facing windows collect soot and film fast, so every one to two months keeps them clear. Quieter, courtyard-facing panes can go a few months longer between cleanings.
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