How to Wash Windows Outside

Washing windows outdoors may seem a fairly straightforward chore, but it isn't always as simple as it sounds. Use the wrong cleaners or drying materials, and the window may look even dirtier than when you began. Using the same tools as the pros makes the job go by much faster, with expert results. Some conditions, such as hard water buildup or caked-on sea-salt spray, involve a little extra elbow grease.

Scrubbing Simplicity

A scrubber, which looks like a tube-shaped, fluffy piece of fabric on a handle, soaps up those windows in no time, requiring less force than scrubbing by hand with a sponge. Dip a scrubber into a bucket filled with warm water and a squirt or two of liquid dish soap, then squeeze out the excess soapy water before applying it to the window.

Streak-Free Squeegee

A squeegee is the professional tool of choice to remove that soapy water from the window. Dry the top edge of the window with a lint-free cloth, which gives the squeegee a fresh starting point. Working the squeegee downwards from one corner, continuing in slightly overlapping columns, gives the windows that streak-free shine. Dry the squeegee off with a rag after each wipe of the window to avoid spreading around the dirty water. The rubber on a squeegee wears out; replace it when it no longer wipes the water away neatly. For windows with multiple panes, cut a squeegee to fit one pane of glass.

Sea Salt Solution

Ocean breezes carry with them particles of sea salt, which can travel quite a distance. White vinegar in a spray bottle, squirted directly over the salty windows, makes the salt easier to remove. Allow the vinegar to set for several minutes, then wipe it with a sponge, followed by a squeegee or a balled-up sheet of newspaper. If spots remain, spray the spots directly, then rub them with a plastic scrub sponge.

Help for Hard Water Spots

Hard water spots are mineral deposits left behind after water evaporates. These spots, as well the dirt-laden film that accumulates over time from particles in the air, can be treated with a cloth dipped in vinegar. Hold the vinegar-soaked cloth directly over such spots that are left behind after washing the window, then wipe away. Wash the windows again by spraying with vinegar and wiping away the liquid with a squeegee.