• Scrubber. This looks a little like a Squeegee, but it is padded and is used for cleaning the window, not wiping away the water.


•  Sponge. You can also use a sponge, if you don't have access to a scrubber.


•  Squeegee. This handy tool will help you to wipe away the water streak-free.


•  Cleaner. Many pros will use a bucket of warm water and a little bit of dishwashing soap, if they will be using scrubbers.


•  Commercial cleaner. If you don't want to haul out a bucket and a lot of tools, a commercial cleaner will work well too. Cleaners with vinegar in them tend to leave behind less streaks.


•  Newspaper. A crumpled up black and white newspaper should be used in place of a paper towel or cloth, as it leaves your windows streak free.

Cleaning the windows
To really clean windows, the following are some helpful tips:

1. Prepare the mixture of warm water and dish detergent. Some people also add a little vinegar to help clean.


2. Soak scrubber or sponge in the cleaner, and then squeeze out enough water so that it's still wet, but not dripping.


3. Wash windows thoroughly.


4. Use the squeegee to wipe the water from the windows. Go in a horizontal line, wiping off the squeegee with a rag after each line.


5. Wipe water from the windows or sills with a rag.


6. If you are not using the above tools, spray window with commercial window cleaner. Then use the newspaper to dry the windows. If the newspaper starts to look torn and ragged, replace it; in order for it to do a good job, it should be fairly dry.

Other tips
These tips will help your windows look their best when you're cleaning them:


• Don't clean in direct sunlight or on a day that is very hot. This will dry the cleaning solution too quickly, making it streak or leave water spots on your windows.


•  Clean the tracks of your windows with a vacuum attachment.


•  If you clean your windows and find that there are still streaks on them, you don't necessarily need to rewash them. A blackboard eraser will get the streaks out.


•  To clean screens, spray them with a hose. You can let them air dry outside or in the sun, or dry them with a towel. Daily cleaning of the screens can be done with a lint roller.


•  To clean blinds, use a washrag, some soap and water, and dry thoroughly when you're done cleaning them. You can minimize the frequency in which you need to do this by getting a terry glove specifically for cleaning and dusting and going over your blinds once a week to get rid of dust build-up.

Cleaning your windows, whether you're washing the glass, cleaning the screens, or dusting mini blinds, is easier and more effective with these tips.