Best Window Cleaning Tools and Tips

It’s a good idea to wash your windows inside and out a few times a year to keep them in great, clear condition. In order to do a good job, you’re going to want to use the best window cleaning tools you can get! See below for my recommended cleaning tools, cleaning solutions, and cleaning tips for sparkling clean windows.

Best Window Cleaning Tools:

• Scrubber / Squeegee
• Sal Suds
• Bucket
• Microfiber
• Spray Bottle
• Distilled White Vinegar

Best Window Cleaning Tools for Exterior Windows

Cleaning exterior windows is a different animal than interior windows. Outdoor windows are exposed to the elements! Wind, dirt, rain, bird droppings, and more will collect on exterior windows. And in theory, you clean your interior windows more frequently than exterior. All of this is to say, cleaning outdoor windows is a big job, and for big jobs you need sturdy tools. Here are what I consider the essentials:

Scrubber & Squeegee

For washing large windows outdoors, I recommend investing in a scrubber/squeegee combo. If you have second (or third!) story windows to clean, it’s also worth investing in an extension pole so you can reach them more easily.

Sal Suds Cleaning Solution

You are going to need a solid window washing solution to use with your scrubber and squeegee tools. Combine ½ tsp of Sal Suds for every quart of water you use in a bucket (see my pick below). Dip your scrubber in your cleaning bucket before using it to wash the exterior of your windows. 

Bucket

I use this bucket for all of my cleaning tasks. I use it to wash windows, pre-treat stained laundry, and mop my floors. I love that it stores conveniently under my sink stacked with my cleaning caddy. 

Microfiber

I use microfiber cloths to wipe window edges and any drips left behind by the squeegee.

Best Window Cleaning Tools for Interior Windows

When cleaning indoor windows, you can technically use all of the same gear you use to clean the exterior of your windows. The only thing is, your window tracks will get more wet if you use a scrubber/squeegee combo than they will if you use a spray bottle/microfiber combo. 

This is not necessarily a bad thing! I encourage you to regularly clean your window tracks anyway, so this could be a way of handling both tasks at once. But if you’re more interested in keeping your interior window frames dry, then I recommend the following tools and products.

Spray Bottle

I like using glass spray bottles for all of my cleaning solutions. They are refillable, long lasting, and more easily recycled than plastic alternatives. 

Distilled White Vinegar

The Sal Suds and water mixture certainly works as well indoors as it does outdoors, but alternatively you can use one part distilled white vinegar and one part water. Mix well in your spray bottle before using on your windows and mirrors!

Microfiber

I’ll use a microfiber to clean smaller windows and to wipe up drips when using a squeegee on larger windows.

Squeegee

Even if you’re using a spray bottle on your indoor windows, you can still wipe them clean very quickly with a squeegee. I actually use a squeegee on our large, mirrored closet doors to save myself time and scrubbing energy.

My last tip is to get your family involved! Kids love washing windows (especially with a squeegee) – let them! Here is a list of cleaning tools and activities appropriate for kids and toddlers.