We were going to have the exterior of our windows washed and several areas of the exterior of our ho...
We were going to have the exterior of our windows washed and several areas of the exterior of our house power washed. We decided to hold off on the window cleaning until Spring, but Konstantine was fantastic to work with and he did a thorough job with the areas of our house that needed power washing. We will definitely ask for his when we schedule window washing!
Mastering the Art of Cleaning Your Outside Windows
Why Finding the Best Way to Clean Exterior Windows Changes Everything
The best way to clean exterior windows comes down to five core steps:
Pick the right day — overcast, mild, low wind
Clean screens, frames, and tracks first — before touching the glass
Pre-rinse the glass — to remove loose grit that can scratch
Scrub with a soapy solution — dish soap or vinegar-and-water mix
Squeegee top to bottom — wiping the blade after every pass, then detail the edges with a dry microfiber cloth
Most of us put exterior window cleaning at the bottom of the to-do list. It seems straightforward — grab a spray bottle and some paper towels, give the glass a wipe, done.
But here’s the thing: that approach almost always leaves streaks, lint, and missed grime. And for homeowners across North Chicagoland — dealing with spring pollen, winter road salt, and hard water spots — that gap between “clean enough” and actually clean shows.
Dirty windows do more than look bad. They block natural light, hide curb appeal, and over time, unaddressed mineral deposits and debris can permanently etch the glass.
The good news? With the right tools and a clear process, you can get professional-looking results at home — or know exactly when it makes sense to call someone in.
I’m Damir Bakh, owner of VECO Window Washing and Gutter Cleaning, and I’ve spent years refining the best way to clean exterior windows for residential and commercial properties across the Chicago suburbs. In the sections below, I’ll walk you through every step — tools, technique, timing, and stubborn stains — so nothing gets missed.
Learn about the best ways to clean exterior windows:
Essential Tools and DIY Solutions for Sparkling Glass
If you want to clean like a pro, you have to ditch the supermarket blue spray and the rolls of paper towels. Paper towels are notorious for leaving behind static-charged lint and fibers that actually attract dust back to the glass. To get a truly streak-free finish, we need the right tools and solutions.
First, let’s look at what we’re putting in our bucket. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that professional window washers rarely use expensive, chemical-heavy commercial sprays. Instead, we rely on simple, highly effective mixtures that you can easily whip up in your own kitchen.
Recommended DIY Cleaning Solutions
When it comes to mixing your own window cleaner, you have two excellent choices depending on how dirty your glass is.
For routine cleaning, we highly recommend a simple dish soap solution. In a clean 5-gallon bucket, mix:
2 to 3 gallons of warm water
1 teaspoon of mild liquid dish soap (such as blue Dawn)
This creates a gentle, highly lubricated sudsy water that allows your cleaning tools to glide smoothly across the glass, lifting pollen, dust, and light grime without leaving a heavy, dirt-attracting film. Be careful not to overuse the soap—too many suds will leave a sticky residue that causes streaking.
If your windows are facing heavy road grime, grease, or light mineral buildup, a vinegar-based solution is your best bet. The natural acidity of white vinegar breaks down the stubborn film that accumulates on glass over time. You can learn more about this in our guide on The Power of DIY Homemade Window Cleaner That Works Wonders.
For a standard vinegar spray, mix:
1 part distilled white vinegar
10 parts warm water (or a 1-to-1 ratio for exceptionally grimy glass)
Having the right solution is only half the battle. To apply and remove it effectively, you need the proper physical tools:
Squeegee: A high-quality squeegee is non-negotiable. We recommend a 10-to-12-inch brass squeegee. Brass has a natural weight to it that makes it much easier to maneuver and press evenly against the glass compared to cheap plastic or light aluminum alternatives.
T-Bar Scrubber: Instead of a household sponge, use a professional T-bar scrubber with a microfiber sleeve. This tool holds a massive amount of water, allowing you to flood the window and safely lift dirt without scratching.
Extension Pole: To keep your feet safely on the ground, a telescoping extension pole is a lifesaver. You can attach your scrubber and squeegee directly to the pole.
Two-Bucket System: Use one bucket for your soapy water and a second bucket of clean water to rinse your scrubber. This prevents you from pushing dirty water right back onto the next window.
Microfiber Cloths: Keep several dry, lint-free microfiber cloths on hand to wipe down the edges of the window frame and catch any drips.
The Best Way to Clean Exterior Windows: A Step-by-Step Guide
Washing windows is a lot like painting a room. If you skip the prep work and rush straight to the main event, the final result will show it.
Preparing the Frames, Screens, and Tracks
One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is washing the glass before cleaning the surrounding window components. If you wash the glass first, the very first rainstorm will wash dirt, dust, and pollen from your dirty screens and frames right back down onto your clean glass.
Here is how we prepare the window before touching the glass:
Remove the Screens: Take the insect screens out of every window. Lay them flat on a clean surface like a patio or driveway.
Wash the Screens: Gently scrub the screens with a soft-bristled brush and warm, soapy water. Rinse them thoroughly with a garden hose (never use a pressure washer, which can tear the mesh). Stand them up in a shaded spot to dry completely.
Clean the Tracks and Sills: Open the windows and use a small hand-held vacuum or a dry paintbrush to sweep away loose dirt, dead insects, and cobwebs. For tight corners, wrap a microfiber cloth around a butter knife to scrape out the accumulated gunk.
Wash the Frames: Wipe down the exterior frames and sills with a damp cloth and mild soapy water to remove green algae, bird droppings, and soot.
Washing and Squeegeeing the Glass
Now that the surrounding areas are clean, you are ready to tackle the glass itself. Follow our proven step-by-step sequence for a flawless, streak-free result:
Step 1: Pre-Rinse: Use a garden hose with a gentle spray nozzle to thoroughly wet the window. This washes away loose, abrasive grit that could scratch the glass when you start scrubbing.
Step 2: Apply the Solution: Dip your T-bar scrubber into your soapy water, squeeze out the excess so it isn’t dripping wet, and scrub the glass thoroughly. Work in circular motions, paying extra attention to the corners.
Step 3: Create a Starting Strip: Take a dry corner of your squeegee and wipe a thin, vertical strip of clean glass down one side of the window. This gives your squeegee a dry place to start each pass.
Step 4: Squeegee the Glass: Place the squeegee blade flat against the glass at the top of the window. Pull the squeegee straight down (or horizontally across, depending on the window shape). Ensure that each new pass overlaps the previous one by about two inches.
Step 5: Wipe the Blade: After every single pass, wipe your squeegee blade completely dry with a clean microfiber cloth. If you skip this, you will transfer water and dirt back onto the glass, leaving lines.
Step 6: Detail the Edges: Use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe away any remaining water drops along the top, sides, and bottom sill. This prevents water from running back onto the clean pane.
Cleaning ground-floor windows is relatively simple. But what happens when you have to clean second-story windows, or deal with stubborn, baked-on stains? This is where safety and specialized techniques become incredibly important.
Choosing the Best Way to Clean Exterior Windows Safely
In the United States, ladder-related injuries are a leading cause of household accidents. If you are cleaning windows on a second story or higher, we strongly recommend keeping your feet firmly on the ground by using a telescoping extension pole. Modern extension poles can reach up to 30 feet, allowing you to scrub and squeegee upper-level glass safely.
If you must use a ladder, follow these essential safety rules:
Always use a ladder stabilizer (stand-off bracket) to prevent the ladder from sliding or damaging your gutters and siding.
Ensure the ladder is placed on flat, stable ground.
Never overreach. If you cannot comfortably reach a spot, climb down and move the ladder.
If a ladder higher than six feet is required, or if you have complex architectural windows, it is much safer to call a professional team.
At VECO, we regularly handle high-reach exterior cleaning safely for homes in Arlington Heights, Evanston, and surrounding communities. For more advice on tackling difficult setups, read our guide on Expert Tips for Tricky Window Cleaning.
Banishing Hard Water, Sap, and Stubborn Grime
Sometimes, standard soap and water won’t cut it. Exterior windows are constantly exposed to harsh elements that leave behind stubborn, bonded stains. Here is how to handle the most common culprits:
Hard Water Spots: These cloudy white circles are mineral deposits left behind by lawn sprinklers or rain. Because these minerals are highly alkaline, you need an acid to dissolve them. Apply a 1-to-1 mixture of distilled white vinegar and warm water, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub. For severe cases, check out our dedicated guide on How to Banish Hard Water Stains from Your Windows.
Tree Sap: Sticky pine sap can seem impossible to remove. Do not use a razor blade, which can permanently scratch the glass or damage protective Low-E coatings. Instead, soak a microfiber cloth in rubbing alcohol and press it firmly against the sap for 30 seconds. The alcohol will dissolve the resin, allowing you to wipe it clean.
Bird Droppings: Bird droppings are highly acidic and can actually etch glass if left baking in the sun. Flood the spot with water to soften it, then scrub gently with a non-abrasive sponge.
Pro Tips for Streak-Free Results and Proper Timing
Have you ever spent hours scrubbing your windows on a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning, only to step back and find the glass covered in frustrating streaks? It happens to the best of us. Achieving a professional, invisible finish is all about working with the weather and using smart techniques.
Why Professional Techniques Offer the Best Way to Clean Exterior Windows
One of the biggest secrets of professional window cleaners is the water we use. Standard tap water contains minerals like calcium and magnesium. When tap water dries on glass, it leaves behind those tiny mineral spots.
To combat this, professional teams use purified or deionized water systems. Because this water is completely free of minerals, it acts like a magnet for dirt and dries completely spot-free without needing to be manually wiped.
Additionally, we use specific physical techniques to make troubleshooting easy. For example, we always wipe the interior glass vertically and the exterior glass horizontally. That way, if a streak appears, you instantly know which side of the glass it is on!
Timing is everything. Never wash your windows in direct sunlight or on hot days (above 80°F). The heat will dry your cleaning solution before you can squeegee it off, leaving stubborn soap film behind. The ideal weather window is a calm, overcast day with temperatures between 50°F and 75°F.
As for frequency, most homes benefit from a thorough exterior clean twice a year—typically in the spring and fall. However, if your home is exposed to heavy pollen, construction dust, road salt, or traffic pollution, you may need to clean them three to four times a year.
Season
Primary Grime to Remove
Why It Matters
Spring
Winter road salt, soot, heavy tree pollen
Clears away abrasive winter salt and brightens the home for summer.
Fall
Summer dust, insect debris, spiderwebs, tree sap
Cleans off summer debris before winter freezing locks the dirt in place.
Frequently Asked Questions about Exterior Window Cleaning
How much does window washing cost in Northbrook, IL?
The cost of professional window cleaning in Northbrook, Glenview, and the surrounding North Shore suburbs varies based on several factors. These include the number of windows, the height of your home, the accessibility of the glass, and whether you want additional services like screen deep-cleaning or track detailing.
While we discuss pricing in general terms rather than exact figures, professional cleaning is a highly cost-effective investment that saves you hours of dangerous weekend work and protects your expensive windows from mineral damage. For a detailed breakdown of what goes into professional service value, read our guide on Pricing and Perks of Professional Exterior Window Cleaning.
Can I use a pressure washer on my exterior windows?
No, we strongly advise against using a pressure washer on residential windows. The high-pressure stream can easily shatter glass, damage delicate wooden frames, and destroy the rubber seals on double-pane windows.
Once a window seal is broken, moisture gets trapped between the panes, leading to permanent fogging that cannot be cleaned. If you want a safe, low-pressure alternative, soft washing is a much better choice. Learn more in our article Is Soft Washing Right for Your Windows? A Comprehensive Guide.
Why are my windows still cloudy or smeared after cleaning?
If your windows still look cloudy, hazy, or smeared after a thorough wash, it is usually due to one of three things:
Soap Residue: You used too much dish soap in your bucket, leaving a thin film behind.
Hard Water Etching: The mineral deposits have been left on the glass for so long that they have physically etched into the surface, causing permanent damage.
Failed Seals: If the cloudiness is between the two panes of glass on a double-hung window, it means the seal has failed. This allows moisture to condense inside, and the only solution is to replace the glass unit. For tips on managing double-pane glass, read Inside Out: Expert Tips for Cleaning Dirty Double Pane Windows.
Conclusion
Finding the best way to clean exterior windows doesn’t just improve your home’s curb appeal—it floods your living spaces with beautiful natural light and protects your windows for years to come. While taking on this chore yourself can be a rewarding weekend project, it can also be time-consuming, physically demanding, and dangerous on higher levels.
If you would rather skip the hassle, put down the squeegee, and enjoy flawless, professional results, we are here to help. At VECO Window Washing and Gutter Cleaning, we provide premier, fully insured residential and commercial window cleaning services throughout Northbrook, the North Shore, and North Chicagoland.
Need window, gutter or exterior cleaning in Northbrook, across the North Shore or surrounding suburbs? Send us your property details for a free estimate.
