The short answer
Work in this order: vacuum the tracks, wipe the sills and frames, then clean the glass top to bottom with a squeegee or microfiber, drying edges as you go. Clean on a cloudy day or out of direct sun to avoid streaks. Exterior glass and high windows are best left to window specialists.
Spring arrives slowly in Redding. The trees along Hill Road and Black Rock Turnpike leaf out, Putnam Memorial State Park fills with walkers, and suddenly the sun is shining through windows that spent the whole winter shut. That is when every streak, smudge, and dead fly in the track becomes visible.
The right order
- Tracks: vacuum loose dirt and debris with a crevice tool.
- Tracks again: wipe with a damp cloth or a small brush.
- Sills and frames: wipe with a damp microfiber cloth.
- Glass: clean top to bottom.
- Dry edges: wipe the bottom edge and sill dry.
Streak-free glass
- Clean out of direct sun so cleaner does not dry too fast.
- Use a light mist, not a soak.
- Squeegee in overlapping strokes and wipe the blade between passes.
- Finish with a dry microfiber cloth on the edges.
Screens
Removable screens can be rinsed outside with a hose and a soft brush, then dried fully before reinstalling. Handle them gently; screens bend and tear easily.
What to leave to specialists
Exterior window washing, second-story outside glass, and anything requiring ladders outdoors is not part of a standard house cleaning. Interior glass, sills, and tracks are included in our deep cleaning.
The rest of the spring clean
Once the windows are done, the rest of the house looks dustier by comparison. See our spring cleaning checklist for a room-by-room plan.
House cleaning in Redding
We serve homes throughout Redding, including Redding Center, Redding Ridge, West Redding, and Georgetown. For local details, see our house cleaning page for Redding, CT.
Window cleaning questions
How do I clean windows without streaks?
Clean out of direct sun, use a light mist of cleaner, squeegee in overlapping strokes, and dry the edges with microfiber.
How do I clean window tracks?
Vacuum loose debris with a crevice tool first, then wipe with a damp cloth or small brush.
Do house cleaners wash outside windows?
Exterior windows are not part of a standard cleaning. Interior glass, sills, and tracks are included in a deep clean.
When is the best time to clean windows?
Spring, after the windows have been closed all winter, and on a cloudy day or out of direct sun.