How to Clean a Window with a Squeegee

There’s something oddly satisfying about clean, streak-free windows — especially when you’ve done the job yourself. I mean we should know its literally our day job! But if you’ve ever tried it without the right technique, equipment or skill, you’ll know just how frustrating water stains, streaks, or leftover dirt can be. You’ll sit back feeling good and then the sun hits the window and your realise… DOH! What can you do to improve your squeegee game?

At Pristine Clean England, we’ve been in the window cleaning industry for years, and although we now rely on advanced equipment like the Water-fed Brush, we haven’t forgotten our humble beginnings — a bucket of water, a good quality squeegee, and some soapy water. In this guide, we’ll share exactly how to use a professional window squeegee to get those sparkling results at home, along with some top tips from our early days.

Whether you’re cleaning outdoor windows, shower screens, or bathroom mirrors, here’s how the pros do it.

The Squeegee – The Pro’s Secret Weapon for Pristine Windows

Every professional window cleaner knows that the simple window cleaning squeegee is a must-have. With a high-quality squeegee featuring a shaped handle, squeegee blade, and clipless channel, you can tackle both interior and exterior windows.

A top-tier Squeegee & Soap Dispenser is ideal for speeding up the process. If you’re just starting, don’t worry – even with a basic cleaning kit (such as this one from Home Bargains, dont get distracted by the sweet isle when your there!) , you can still get better, streak-free results using the right technique.

How Professionals Use the Squeegee Quickly

Scrub Window to Remove Debris

Start by removing coarse dirt, bug residue, and any caked-on dirt. A Soft bristle brush or brush attachment is perfect for loosening grime, while a cleaning pad or amicrofiber washer sleeve traps and helps get rid of the build up of dirt.

Fill your window cleaning bucket with warm water, add a few drops of dish soap, and use a clean microfiber cloth to gently wipe the glass surfaces. Avoid applying too much force — normal pressure is enough. Using a bucket of water with a bit of washing-up liquid is still a great old-school method.

How Do You Use a Glass Scraper?

Got stubborn dirt or tough stains? That’s where a Scraper tool comes in. Glide a glass scraper at an acute angle over the glass cleaner-wet surface. This helps remove caked-on residue without scratching the panes of glass. Just remember — always keep your blade clean and avoid using it on cold mirror surfaces or already-clean glass. If your not careful you could easily scratch the glass or mirrow, worried about doing it yourself? No fear, our Window Cleaning service might be the right thing for those extra dirty windows!

How Do I Get the Cloudy Film Off My Windows?

Cloudy glass is usually caused by water stains or residual water left behind. To fix it, mix an acetic acid solution (like a bottle of vinegar solution) using White vinegar and a litre of water, then apply it with a spray bottle. Wipe with a lint-free cloth or absorbent cloth, and finish with a dry cloth for that streak-free finish.

For persistent issues, use anti-static cleaners or citric acid powder as an advanced technique, especially on shower screens or bathroom mirrors.

Who knew window cleaning could easily become a science lesson. In our years of experience we have come to realise the humble window cleaner actually needs a good knowledge and a great set of skills!

How To Avoid Damaging the Window

Are Supermarket Solutions Good Glass Cleaners?

Many commercial glass cleaners like those you find in your local supermaket do a good job but may contain chemicals that aren’t ideal for all glass surfaces, especially if used under direct sunlight. If you opt for one, pair it with a clean towel or dry microfiber cloth, and never mix it with other cleaning fluid or cleaning products.

Newspaper as a Window Cleaning Hack?

This classic trick is still popular but comes with downsides. Different brands of paper towels or newspapers leave behind ink or rough fibers, which can scratch or dull your exterior glass. A Microfiber cloths set is far more reliable.

Can Vinegar and Water do a Good Job?

Absolutely. A simple vinegar mix made from White vinegar and water gives you a powerful, eco-friendly cleaning solution. Use a spray bottle, apply to your window, and wipe with a damp microfiber cloth. Repeat the process if stubborn dirt or water spots persist. This is ideal for window screens, shower screens, and glass surfaces.

The Evolution of Pristine Clean’s Window Cleaning Journey

When we first launched Pristine Clean England, we relied solely on squeegees and hard graft — no matter the weather conditions. While we have great memories of dry summer weather, we definitely don’t miss the freezing cold winter jobs where even the best cleaning tools couldn’t keep our fingers warm.

Now, thanks to modern tech, we use the Water-fed Brush and Pole system. It offers a controlled, consistent, cloud-like spray pattern, allowing for pristine cleaning and a more thorough clean every time, even on tricky outdoor windows. Using an extra long cleaning pole and further extension poles to allow us to access high exterior windows safely and efficiently — all while delivering consistent quality for our customers.

We’re proud to now offer a Professional window cleaning service that uses all the skills we have gained in the past few decades, using everything from the humble squeegee to our full reach and wash window cleaning system. If you have glass, we can clean it!

Final Tips and Why It’s Still Worth Getting a Pro In

• Use a simple window cleaning squeegee for everyday cleans.
• Maintain a consistent angle with gentle, overlapping strokes — the fanning technique or fanning method is great for this.
• A shaped anti slip handle helps maintain control.
• Use soapy water, a clean microfibre cloth, and a damp cloth for routine upkeep.
• A vinegar mix or combination of liquid cleaners can tackle tougher stains

While DIY cleaning can be satisfying, sometimes it’s just easier to let the professionals handle it — especially when you’re dealing with large windows, window screens, tiny old Georgian glass windows or multiple stories, or hard-to-reach places.

If you’re in Cheshire or the surrounding areas, we’d love to help. Check out our full Window Cleaning Services and let us do the hard work for you.

Got questions or need additional cleaning tips from a real cleaning writer? We’re here to help with all your cleaning jobs, from bathroom mirrors to outdoor windows.

Clean, streak-free windows are just a call away — and you won’t even need to touch a window washer.