The reason most home windows look streaky isn’t the cleaner. It’s the technique. Professional window cleaners use the same basic principles whether they’re doing a single Perth home or a 30-storey commercial building, and the method is genuinely learnable. Once you understand it, your windows will look noticeably better and stay clean longer.
This post covers the actual professional method: tools, solutions, timing, techniques for inside and outside, and the spots most home cleaners forget. We clean windows as part of regular and end-of-lease cleaning at Perth Cleaning Care, so the steps below are the same ones our team uses every day.
Why Most Home Window Cleaning Leaves Streaks
The classic Windex-and-paper-towel approach has three problems:
- Paper towels leave lint behind
- Most commercial sprays evaporate too fast in Perth’s dry climate
- The wiping motion (back and forth, in circles) just smears residue around
A professional uses three things to solve all three at once: a microfibre scrubber to loosen grime, a squeegee to lift water off in a single pass, and a lint-free cloth to detail the edges. That’s the whole game.
The Professional Window Cleaner’s Toolkit
What you actually need:
Squeegee. A 25 to 30cm rubber-blade squeegee with a metal handle. Ettore (sold at Bunnings) is the brand most pros use. Replace the rubber blade every 6 to 12 months for best results.
Scrubber. A microfibre window scrubber, sometimes called a T-bar applicator. Same brands sell them, around $15 to $25 for a good one. Replace the sleeve every couple of years.
Bucket. Wide enough to fit the scrubber. A 10-litre bucket is standard.
Lint-free cloth. Microfibre detailing cloths, never paper towels. Buy a stack.
Plastic or razor blade scraper. For paint splatter, bird droppings, and stuck-on residue. Use carefully (more on this below).
Extension pole (optional). For higher windows, if you have them. Telescopic poles attach to most squeegees and scrubbers.
That’s the whole kit. Under $100 total, lasts for years, replaces every commercial window cleaning spray you’ve ever bought.
The Professional Cleaning Solution
What pros actually mix in the bucket:
Standard professional mix:
- 4 litres of warm water
- A few drops of dishwashing liquid (Morning Fresh or any standard detergent)
That’s it.
The detergent reduces water surface tension, which is what helps the squeegee glide and pulls dirt away. Less is more. Too much soap leaves streaks. Pros use a tiny amount.
Eco alternative:
- 4 litres of warm water
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- A small splash of dish soap
Slightly more cleaning power, no harsh chemicals. We use this version on jobs where clients have asked for eco-friendly products.
What pros don’t use:
- Commercial window sprays (overcomplicated for what they do)
- Vinegar at full strength (works, but is unnecessary)
- Newspaper (myth, ink can transfer to frames)
When to Clean Windows in Perth
The single biggest factor that separates streaky and streak-free windows isn’t the technique. It’s the timing.
Best: Overcast day, mild temperature, no direct sun on the glass.
Acceptable: Early morning or late afternoon when the sun isn’t on the windows you’re cleaning.
Avoid: Direct hot sun on the glass. The solution dries before you can squeegee it, leaving streaks every time. In Perth summer, mid-morning to late afternoon outside windows are usually a no-go.
Practical Perth approach: Do outside windows on the shaded side of the house in the morning, then switch to the other side in the afternoon as the sun moves around.
More Post
Inside Windows: Step-by-Step
Inside windows are easier. Less dirt, no weather.
- Remove anything from the windowsill (plants, ornaments, candles)
- Vacuum the window track with the brush attachment to lift loose dust
- Wipe the frame with a damp microfibre cloth
- Scrub the glass with the wet scrubber, top to bottom, fully wetting the surface.
- Squeegee from top to bottom in straight strokes, wiping the blade with a cloth between each stroke
- Detail the edges with a dry microfibre cloth (this is where streaks usually appear)
- Wipe the sill clean
- Put everything back
A 1m x 1m window takes about 90 seconds with this method.
Outside Windows: Step-by-Step
Outside windows need more attention because of the weather, dust, and bird droppings.
- Hose the window down first to clear loose dirt and dust
- For stuck-on bird droppings or splatter, scrape carefully with a plastic scraper at a 45-degree angle (use a razor scraper only on glass that’s clearly tempered or untreated, never on coated/tinted glass)
- Scrub the glass top to bottom with the wet scrubber, fully wetting it
- Squeegee from top to bottom in straight strokes (or use the fan stroke for larger windows)
- Detail the edges with a clean, dry microfibre
- Clean the frames and sills with a damp cloth
- Vacuum or blow out the window tracks
The housing-first step makes a noticeable difference in Perth windows during summer.
Squeegee Technique: The Two Methods
This is the bit that separates streaky home windows from professional results.
The straight-stroke method (easiest, recommended for beginners)
- Position the squeegee at the top corner of the window
- Pull straight down from top to bottom in one continuous motion
- Lift, wipe the blade dry on a cloth
- Move to the next vertical strip, slightly overlapping the previous stroke
- Repeat until the whole window is done
The fan-stroke method (faster, pros use this on big windows)
- Start at the top corner with the squeegee tilted
- Sweep across in a curving motion (think of a fan opening)
- Continue the curve down and across the window
- Wipe the blade between sweeps
- Use a single fluid motion across the entire window
The fan-stroke takes practice. Watch a professional window cleaning video on YouTube to see it in motion. For most home windows, the straight stroke is fine and gives identical results.
Two technique tips that matter:
- Wipe the squeegee blade after every stroke (lint, debris, and water build up fast)
- Slightly overlap each stroke into the previous one to catch any missed lines
Window Tracks: The Part Everyone Ignores
Window tracks accumulate the worst combination of dust, dead insects, and grime. Most home cleaners skip them. Pros don’t.
The pro method:
- Vacuum the track with the brush attachment to lift loose dust and bugs
- Sprinkle a small amount of bicarb soda along the track
- Spray with white vinegar (it’ll fizz)
- Leave for 5 minutes
- Scrub stubborn spots with an old toothbrush
- Wipe out with a damp microfibre cloth
- Dry thoroughly with a dry cloth
This takes longer than the windows themselves on a first deep clean. Once properly cleaned, weekly or monthly maintenance is quick.
Window Frames
PVC, aluminium, and timber window frames each need slightly different approaches.
PVC (white plastic) frames. Damp microfibre with a drop of dish soap. Avoid abrasive sponges; they scratch.
Aluminium frames. Damp microfibre with mild detergent. For oxidation marks (chalky white film), use a dedicated aluminium cleaner from Bunnings.
Timber frames. Dry dust first, then wipe with a slightly damp cloth. Don’t soak. Use beeswax polish once a year for sealed timber frames.
Ignored frames make freshly cleaned glass look worse. Always do them at the same time as the glass.
More Post
Window Screens
Most homes don’t clean screens nearly enough.
The fastest method:
- Pop the screen out of the window
- Hose it down outside on a flat surface or against a wall
- Spray with diluted dish soap solution
- Scrub gently with a soft brush (a soft broom works for larger screens)
- Hose off
- Stand to dry, then re-fit when fully dry
Screens often hold years of dust, pollen, and insect debris. A proper cleaning improves indoor air quality and lets in more natural light.
High and Second-Storey Windows
Some windows aren’t safe to clean from a ladder.
Ladder falls are a leading cause of household injuries in Australia. If a window is more than two metres above ground level, or you can’t safely reach it from a stable ladder on level ground, hire professionals.
Signs you should stop and call someone:
- Two-storey or higher windows
- Windows over balconies or sloped ground
- Windows that require leaning out from a ladder
- Anywhere you’re balancing tools and a bucket while up high
- Properties with overhanging trees or unstable ground
A professional team has the right equipment (extension poles, water-fed poles, proper ladders, or scaffolding). The few hundred dollars for an annual professional cleaning is cheaper than a hospital visit.
Common Window Cleaning Mistakes
The five most common mistakes that ruin a window clean:
- Cleaning in direct sunlight. Solution dries before you can squeegee. Always work in the shade.
- Using too much soap. Leaves streaks. A few drops in 4 litres is plenty.
- Using a paper towel. Lint everywhere. Microfibre only.
- Not wiping the squeegee between strokes. Water and dirt redistribute, creating streaks.
- Skipping the tracks and frames. Fresh glass looks dirty next to grimy frames and tracks.
Avoid these five, and you’ve got 90% of the way to professional results.
How Often to Clean Windows in Perth
Honest guide based on Perth conditions:
- Inside windows: Monthly for kitchen and bathroom, quarterly for living areas and bedrooms
- Outside windows: Quarterly for most homes
- Higher frequency: Coastal homes (sea spray adds salt residue), homes near bushland (dust and pollen), homes near construction sites
- Window tracks: Monthly with vacuuming, quarterly with full deep clean
For most Perth homes, two professional whole-house window cleans per year (spring and autumn) plus monthly DIY maintenance keeps glass looking sharp year-round.
When to Call in Professionals
Worth handing off in these situations:
- High or second-storey windows
- A full whole-house clean (interior and exterior glass, frames, tracks, screens)
- Pre-sale or pre-rental presentation cleans
- Post-construction window cleaning (builders’ dust is brutal on glass)
- Annual or seasonal deep cleans
- Hard water marks DIY methods can’t shift (these need professional restoration products)
Perth Cleaning Care offers window cleaning as a standalone service or as part of a full house clean. Single-storey and multi-storey windows, residential and commercial, frames and screens included. Police-cleared staff, fully insured, eco-friendly solutions.
Window Cleaning FAQ
What’s the secret to streak-free windows?
Squeegee technique, lint-free microfibre cloths, and cleaning in shade, not direct sun. Skip paper towel, skip the heat of the day, and you’re 90% there.
What’s the best window cleaning solution?
Warm water with a few drops of dish soap. That’s what most professionals use. Add white vinegar if you want extra cleaning power for an eco approach.
Can I use vinegar to clean my windows?
Yes. Diluted (1 cup of vinegar to 4 litres of water) works well. At full strength, it’s overkill, and the smell is strong, but it’s safe on glass.
Why do my windows always streak?
Three usual culprits: cleaning in direct sun, using a paper towel, or using too much soap. Try the pro method (microfibre scrubber, squeegee, lint-free finish cloth) and the streaks usually disappear.
Should I clean windows from the inside or the outside first?
Outside first. They get dirtier, and you’ll spot any missed marks more easily when doing the inside afterwards.
How do I clean very high windows safely?
Use an extension pole with a squeegee attachment for windows up to about 4 metres. For anything higher, hire professionals. Never lean out of windows or use ladders on uneven ground.
Do you offer window cleaning across Perth?
Yes. Perth Cleaning Care covers residential and commercial window cleaning across every Perth suburb, including frames, tracks, and screens. Available as a standalone service or as part of a full house clean.
What’s the best time of year to clean windows in Perth?
Spring (after winter rains and pollen season) and autumn (after summer dust). Two professional cleanings a year handle most homes well.
How long does professional window cleaning take?
A standard 3-bedroom Perth home with single-storey windows typically takes 2 to 3 hours for a full inside-and-outside clean, including frames and screens.
Is squeegee cleaning better than spray-and-wipe?
Yes, by a long way. Spray-and-wipe leaves streaks because the cleaner dries before you can buff it properly. Squeegee in one pass means no drying time and no streaks.
The Bottom Line
Cleaning windows like a professional comes down to four things: the right tools (squeegee and microfibre, not paper towel), the right solution (water and a few drops of dish soap), the right timing (shade, not direct sun), and the right technique (top to bottom, wipe between strokes, detail the edges).
If you’d rather skip it entirely, Perth Cleaning Care handles window cleaning across every Perth suburb. Get a free quote, and we’ll have your windows looking sharp without you climbing a single ladder.
