• Home
  • Get to Know Me
  • Blog Topics
    • Backyard Garden
    • Homestead Animals
    • Real Food
    • Simple Living
  • Our Goat Herd
    • Livestock for Sale
    • BiteMe! Herbal Treats
  • Contact Me
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

The 104 Homestead

Homestead where you live.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

By Jessica Lane | Last updated on January 29, 2018

Window Washing: The Trick to Ridiculously Clean Windows

  • 790shares
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • WhatsApp
  • Share

Is it just me or is window washing the worst thing ever? It’s not even just the laborious task. It’s also a matter of getting the whole thing done and sitting to relax only to realize there are streaks all over the place. I swear, I put my face inches from the glass to search for streaks before moving on to the next window. The next morning I’ll be sipping my coffee and see all sorts of yuck on the windows. It’s like it’s a losing battle.

Window washing is the worst. It's laborious and you get the whole thing done and sit to relax only to realize there are streaks all over the place. Ugh.

But maybe it’s not…

Exterior Window Washing

For washing the outsides of the windows, nothing beats the squeegee method. Grab a squeegee like the ones they have at the gas stations with a scrub sponge on one side and the rubber strip on the other. Mix up some of my homemade glass cleaner and then follow these instructions from Family Handyman.

What about getting glass cleaner on plants?

I haven’t had any problems with plants dying as a result of my homemade cleaner. Vinegar is often used as a natural weed killer, but it’s so diluted in this solution that it doesn’t seem to harm the plants. If you are using a chemical cleaner you will want to read the bottle thoroughly or take the precaution of covering plants below the windows.

Is washing windows with a squeegee safer than using a pressure washer?

Absolutely! Yes, it takes longer, but there is much less risk of damaging windows, siding, and nearby vegetation than there would be with a pressure washer. Also, many people choose to rent a pressure washer and often can only use the accompanying chemical mix. Even if you purchase your own pressure washer, warranties may be voided if you use a natural/alternative solution in them.

Window washing is the worst. It's laborious and you get the whole thing done and sit to relax only to realize there are streaks all over the place. Ugh.

Interior Window Washing

If I could bring my squeegee indoors, I totally would. Unfortunately it will make a mess. Thankfully I listened to the wisdom that’s been passed down from generations. I use newspaper to clean the insides of our windows. It’s not a myth! Newspaper totally works! Oh, and it’s eco-friendly and gives new life to something that would otherwise be (hopefully) recycled.

Grandparents.com covered all the things to look for when choosing the right newspaper. Don’t worry, it’s not nearly as complicated as that sounds. It’s really a question of soy or petroleum ink.

Is newspaper toxic?

The older petroleum based newspapers are, but the newer soy based newspapers are not. Metal based inks in glossy pages are potentially dangerous (and therefore should not be composted), but those are not the pages you would use to wash your pages. Simple black ink on paper pages are the best for cleaning.

Can I compost the newspaper when I’m done?

Please do! If you are using my homemade cleaner the newspaper is perfectly safe to throw in the compost bin when you’re finished. I do not suggest composting them with chickens or in a vermicomposting bin, but if you have a regular pile, go for it!

Window washing is the worst. It's laborious and you get the whole thing done and sit to relax only to realize there are streaks all over the place. Ugh.

You May Also Like

  • Make Washing Soda with Baking Soda & HeatMake Washing Soda with Baking Soda & Heat
  • 7 Best Green Cleaners for Your Home (and 4 to avoid)7 Best Green Cleaners for Your Home (and 4 to avoid)
  • Naturally Clean Your Oven & Stove TopNaturally Clean Your Oven & Stove Top
  • Cleaning Products from Scratch for the Whole HouseCleaning Products from Scratch for the Whole House
  • 790shares
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • WhatsApp
  • Share
The following two tabs change content below.
  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Google+ profileMy Instagram profileMy Pinterest profile

Jessica Lane

I am a non-traditional homesteader. What is a non-traditional homesteader? I'd like to think we are the people who don't fit the mold. I am a busy mom on a small bit of property with not a lot of financial resources, but I am figuring out how to live the life I want. A homesteader's life.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Google+ profileMy Instagram profileMy Pinterest profile

Latest posts by Jessica Lane (see all)

  • Burn Barrel 101: Why You Need One on Your Homestead - November 24, 2020
  • How to Incubate and Brood Coturnix Quail - October 1, 2020
  • Can You Freeze Spaghetti Squash? Yes! Here’s How - October 1, 2020
  • The Big List of Chicken-Safe Plants for In & Around Your Coop - October 1, 2020
  • Help Livestock Deal with Summer Heat on the Homestead - March 25, 2020

Filed Under: Homestead Living Tagged With: Green Cleaning

Subscribe

Thank you! You will receive an email in your inbox shortly to confirm your subscription.

Subscribe to The Homestead Helper and receive a copy of my new book, Welcome to the World of Homesteading, your guide to setting attainable homesteading goals. If I can homestead where I live, what's stopping you?

Previous Post: « 5-Minute Homemade Fudge (with lots of variation suggestions)
Next Post: Chocolate Pudding Pie with Chocolate Crust »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. window washer brooklyn says

    November 4, 2020 at 7:34 am

    We always recommend using distilled water in your cleaning solution when washing your windows. The reason you’re getting the streaks isn’t the cleaning tool you’re using but instead the type of water you’re using. Hard water contains minerals that’re left behind once the water dries up and that’s what’s coming the streaks. But the newspaper method does work, I must say.

    Reply
  2. Windowman says

    October 23, 2019 at 9:15 pm

    Squeegee inside as well, newspaper smewspaper… I’m a professional window cleaner for the last 37 years I know from which I speak. Also, if you use a power washer outside you will leave hard water stains on your windows.

    Reply
  3. David says

    October 23, 2019 at 3:03 pm

    Just get a window cleaner its what were paid to do

    Reply
  4. Sarasota Windows says

    June 27, 2019 at 8:10 pm

    Good call with the diluted vinegar for an exterior window cleaning solution. Nothing takes away from a beautiful view like a dilapidated flower bed! Appreciate the thoroughness of your blog, and quality post!

    Reply
  5. Rob K says

    March 30, 2019 at 9:56 pm

    Good call with the diluted vinegar for an exterior window cleaning solution. Nothing takes away from a beautiful view like a dilapidated flower bed! Appreciate the thoroughness of your blog, and quality post!

    Rob K

    Reply
  6. Mark Murphy says

    January 2, 2019 at 8:50 am

    I never knew that a simple newspaper with black text on white paper is a great way to clean windows. My wife and I have been thinking of getting a new house, and we want to make sure that the nice big front windows stay looking great to impress our neighbors. I will be sure to tell my wife that we should try and find a newspaper that we can use to clean the windows!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

My name is Jessica Lane. I live a nearly self-sufficient lifestyle with my three beautiful children on 5 1/2 acres in Maine. We raise Nigerian Dwarf goats, ducks, and chickens, and we grow as much food as we can. What we can’t grow or produce ourselves we barter for. If we can homestead where we live, what’s stopping you?

Read More

Search This Site

Now Trending

No garden is complete without tomatoes. It's the star when planting on a patio or in a huge garden. Here are tips for growing amazing tomatoes.

The 3 Secrets to Growing Beautiful Tomatoes

Kid's Holiday Craft: T-shirt painting is super fun and super easy. Make a handprint turkey t-shirt for your little one to wear for Thanksgiving.

Hand Print Turkey Tee-shirts

Do you have a bunch of squash on hand? Freeze it for later! Freezing spaghetti squash is super easy and takes less than an hour from start to finish.

Can You Freeze Spaghetti Squash? Yes! Here’s How

Keep In Touch

  • 67,488 Pinteresting Followers
  • 20,118 Facebook Friends
  • 4,979 Twitastic Friends
  • 2,446 InstaBuddies
  • 242 Subscribers

Psst! I Sell Holistic Goat Treats

  • Home
  • Homestead Living
  • Real Food
  • Homestead Animals
  • Gardening & Outdoors
  • Inspiring Homesteads

Footer

Disclaimer

I am not a doctor, lawyer, veterinarian or Martha Stewart. Please use the knowledge acquired from this site responsibly.

See Our Privacy Policy

Disclosure

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Work With Me

Become a Contributor/Guest Writer
Advertise on The 104 Homestead
Contact Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
The pupper is exhausted by all this holiday spirit The pupper is exhausted by all this holiday spirit.
Our Christmas tree is up and decorated. Blasting h Our Christmas tree is up and decorated. Blasting holiday favorites and decorating the whole house. #christmastree #christmasdecor #holidaycheer
A beautiful morning on the mountain, enjoying Fren A beautiful morning on the mountain, enjoying French press coffee in my gorgeous @timbercreekfarmandhomestead mug. Does it get better than this? I think not. #mountainscape #morningsnow #coffeelover #handmademug
#wipcrochet Making a tree skirt. I've got a long w #wipcrochet Making a tree skirt. I've got a long way to go, but with the power kicking on and off in the storm, I don't have anything else to do. #christmasdecor #crochetaddict #hookedoncrochet
Burn, baby, burn! I love my burn barrel. Learn how Burn, baby, burn! I love my burn barrel. Learn how to set one up and all those important rules and things on my site. #burnbabyburn #burnbarrel https://104homestead.com/burn-barrel-101/
Shut the front door! Broccoli alfredo lasagna roll Shut the front door! Broccoli alfredo lasagna rolls headed to the oven for tonight's dinner. Recipe from @dontsweattherecipe 😋 #hellocheese #alfredolove #uniquelasagna
Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins

Error: API requests are being delayed for this account. New posts will not be retrieved.

Log in as an administrator and view the Instagram Feed settings page for more details.

© 2013-2020 Jessica Lane of The 104 Homestead