Help! Cleaning outside picture window

Question

I have a large picture window on the 2nd floor of my home. Several years ago I used that Windex spray on, hose off product. It has left a film on the window and streaks that I just can't remove.  It appears that I never clean the window and it looks awful.  I've tried several combos of products and just when I think I've finally got it clean, the sun shines thru and it's cloudy and still streaky. I would love some ideas of what to use.  Thank you!

Janet Pizaro · Answer

I have a silly question did you clean the windows with the sun shinning on them? Have you tried white vinegar with an old diaper or newspaper?

Robin Lueddeke · Answer

Hi Janet, thanks but no...I never washed it while sun was shining on it.  I know about the crumbled newspaper as I do that all the Time with all my windows, especially the car.  I use an extension pole to get to it, but I need a tip on what to use, bc window washing products is just not getting the job done. I use a squeege too, but again once the sunset comes it looks horrible.  Thanks for help though.

Dee Maxwell · Answer

Try baking soda, and just keep scrubbing. I used that stuff once too, and will never use it again!. Didn't do anything to the window, but etched the frame. If that's the case with the window, not sure what to do. Try the BS first.

Susan · Answer

Spray bleach instead, it could be mold

Robin Lueddeke · Answer

Thanks Susan. I'll have to try that.

Robin Lueddeke · Answer

Hey Janet, I'll try the white vinegar, but it will be hard to use newspaper on a window washer pole.  I'll still try it, b4 it's gets too cold.  I'll post if it works. Thanks again!

Dkh892269 · Answer

I have had good results in cleaning the outside of windows with Kaboom.

Robin Lueddeke · Answer

Thank you! Another thing to put on my list to try!

Robin Lueddeke · Answer

Thanks Janet! I heard of that and so, i'll see. As you know we've got frost on the pumpkin last nite. It's supposed to warm up on Wed/Thurs. down here in Jersey and so that will probably be my only opportunity to try this. Thanks again!

Johnchip · Answer

A ladder or a professional service would solve your problem. Also consider if the window is old and marred, replace it might be a good idea and actually not that expensive if it is an important window in the house.

LD · Answer

Here is a link for glass wax, which not only cleans your windows, but keeps your windows looking great longer and you don't have streaming issues. I will admit that you will get a good arm workout, but it's well worth it in my open. Most glass/mirror cleaners have alcohol or ammonia in them which gives you streak issues. https://www.anniescatalog.com/detail.html?prod_id=112173

Robin Lueddeke · Answer

Thank you so much Linda! I'll def check it out!😊

Jen Golden · Answer

We had pine sap on our windows and the window cleaners used oven cleaner to remove it. That might work in your situation.

Robin Lueddeke · Answer

Hey Jen! That's a fantastic idea! Thanks so much😄

Sherrie · Answer

New Windows don't want any ammonia products in them.  In fact they say to clean with vinegar or a non ammonia glass cleaner.  Try to wipe them back down with either vinegar or with a non ammonia cleaner.  The windows are made with a certain chemicals baked on it wouldn't hurt to call the manufactor and talk to them and see why they suggest.

Robin Lueddeke · Answer

Thanks Sherrie~ The window(s) are 20 yrs old and so not sure they would have any special chemical baked on. But worth asking n yes, I'm going to clean it w/ non amonia cleaner.,aka...white vinegar.  It is onlycthw picture window...the others sparkle...it figures! Thanks again!

Pat · Answer

All I can say is I am glad my picture window is on the ground floor....For windows I cannot reach, .I have used the spray on ..hose/windex and didn't find it did a lot.....I prefer Glass Plus and paper towels, on a ladder. I will confess I do not wash the outside of my windows very often.....Sheer curtains on the inside hide a multitude of streaks on the outside...lol

Liliana Wells · Answer

Doyou actually get on a ladder and wipe the windows by hand? Ifyou do, try wiping the glass with scrunched up newspaper insteadif paper towels. I have had better results with that for myoutside windows. Here aredifferent recipes for home-made window cleaners. http://www.waynet.org/howto/home_garden/window-cleaning.htm. Also, clean them on a cloudy day, that way the cleaner does not evaporate as quickly as it would on a sunshiny day.

Robin Lueddeke · Answer

Thank you all. I can only use an extension pole that has a cleaning cloth n squeege iin the other side.  I cannot reach it by a ladder..it's @ 25 ft up! I tried unduleted white vinegar...it helped a little.  I tried baking soda, but it's hard to scrub with a pole.  It's still dull n streaky but someone suggested Kaboom n so that's the next thing.  After this I will probably look into a pro window washer to clean it n then after that I'll have no problems.  Thanks all of my HOMETALK friends!

Pat · Answer

Extension poles would work great for 25 foot up windows....no ladders there, I agree. I only use a ladder on my windows that are about 8 foot tall or less. Hum...wonder if we could hire someone to wash our windows....wouldn't need to do it every year but I agree that washing them outside is a pain in the neck....lol

Help! Cleaning outside picture window

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