1. If necessary, dust off the window and sill with a clean paintbrush. Excess dust and water can cause mud.
2. Use a professional-type squeegee available for about $20 at a janitorial supply store. Forget the cheap brands you find at the grocery store. They are not as effective, and you have to replace the whole thing once you get a nick in the blade.
3. Don't clean windows while they are in direct sunlight. Your cleaning solution will dry too fast.
4. Dip a 100% cotton cleaning cloth in your solution. Wring out the excess and then wipe the window to loosen dirt.
5. Grab your squeegee. Start each squeegee stroke in a dry spot. Wipe a strip with a cleaning cloth to get started.
6. Squeegee in a pattern from top to bottom, or side to side. If you clean the outside and the inside, Work top to bottom on the inside and side to side on the outside. By doing this, you'll be able to identify which side any streaks left behind are on.
7. Keep the squeegee blade dry by wiping it with a cleaning cloth after each stroke.
8. Replace the blade when necessary. Even the smallest nick can cause streaking.
9. Don't have a squeegee? Use newspaper for drying freshly washed windows. It's cheaper and leaves no lint behind.
