In our house there is no disagreement that clean windows matter. We have 30 windows that range between 5 to 6-1/2 feet tall and 3 feet wide. So when they’re dirty, you notice. The order is usually the same: we clean the edges, then the sills, then the window glass. This ensures that as we clean each section, we’re not going to have to duplicate our work.

When we lived in older homes with really neglected windows, or when I’m cleaning the outside of a window, I always clean the edges first and I’m more generous with the liquid cleaner for this part. By cleaning the edges first, I don’t have to worry about smearing the class with the extra dirt that accumulates there if my paper towel rubs against the edges. You know it will if you’re getting every inch of that glass clean. So I spray the edges, wipe them clean (being sure to turn the paper towel regularly to get a clean wiping surface) and then work on the glass part of the window. It’s worthy to note that the edges are not a good place to be using newspaper as cloth. The newspaper isn’t good for digging into the nooks and crevices, nor is it absorbent enough to really pick up the extra dirt. This is where you want to use a paper towel, or even a rag. If the edges are really filthy, it may be a good idea to take a bucket of warm water with a cup of white vinegar added and use an old washcloth or part of a retired towel to really give the windows a good washing. You’ll need to go back and wash the glass panes separately after this as the excess dirt from the edges will settle on the glass.

Next is the window sill. I like to vacuum the part that is subjected to the outside (and sometimes the part that is inside, too) to capture the loose dust and debris. Then I take a soft brush to brush out the dirt that may be a bit more stuck. Using a brush made for washing cars may be too soft if your dirt is really caked on. Usually a hand broom will do the trick as long as it’s not too stiff. If the exterior part is really dirty and really bothering you, feel free to give it a good wash with the vinegar and water solution. Test this on a window that is not easily seen first. Be very careful not to be too generous with the liquid until you see whether or not it will drain by itself or if you’ll need to sop it up with another rag or paper towel. If it does drain itself, you should look to see if that means the dirty liquid has now made a mess of the exterior of your house as it drips down. If it does, you may need to use a really damp cloth to clean this area instead of a generous dowsing of liquid.

Last is the glass pane. This is where my husband and I part ways. My husband subscribes to the “newspaper” methodology—which drives me through the roof because all I can imagine is streaks of ink all over my windows that should be crystal clear. But he insists that using the newspaper will not leave any lint on the windows, offering a “pure” crystal clean. He sprays on some store-bought window cleaner and proceeds to use the newspaper to wipe the cleaner off of the window. It never actually leaves streaks of ink (and after years of proof, I still worry about it every time) but the newspaper isn’t soft and pliable like a paper towel is and so he’s never able to really get into the corners of the window. I’m not sure what bothers me more: the anxiety that there will be ink residue on my windows or the reality that using newspaper never seems to clean the entire window—right into the corners and edges.

I, on the other hand, use paper towels. Honestly, I’ve never had a problem with lint. I use Bounty paper towels and am able to get in the edges and corners with no problem. I usually use a store-bought window cleaner, spray it on lightly, then wipe with a paper towel. I don’t allow the liquid to dry on the glass and sure enough, my windows are always streak free (unless I neglected to clean the edges first).

By following these guidelines and testing the products and tools that work best for your windows, you should have beautiful windows with less effort. Enjoy the view!