I tried steam cleaning my dirty windows and it was unbelievably quick and easy – but this one water trick is essential

Now that the sun has finally returned, I am noticing all the streaks, smears, and dust marks on the glass around my home. That's why I tried cleaning my windows with a steam cleaner.

Tired of traditional approaches of using squeegees and water, I gave this alternative method a go and was seriously surprised by just how quick, easy, and effective it was.

Here, I share how to clean windows without streaks using a steam cleaner – and reveal the secret to ensuring a sparkling surface that lasts.

How to steam clean windows

Glass is just one of the many things you can clean with a steamer around your home, helping to reduce scrubbing and the use of harsh chemicals.

However, when steam cleaning glass, you need to follow a few key steps to ensure the results come out clearer than you started.

Before you start with this cleaning tip I swear by, you will need:

• A steam cleaner with a squeegee attachment. I use Homes & Garden’s best steam cleaner – the Black & Decker 7-in-1 steam cleaner, available at Amazon.
• A lint-free towel, such as a muslin cloth, from Walmart.
• Distilled water.
• A cloudy, dry day.

1. Wait for a cloudy day

One thing people with clean windows always do is work on a dull but dry day. While we usually wait for bright, warm sunshine for outdoor cleaning tasks, the hot sun can make water dry too quickly, resulting in streaks and watermarks that are nearly impossible to buff away without starting all over again.

A dry, dull, but slightly breezy day offers you the best chance of a transparent finish.

2. Use distilled water

One of the most important cleaning tips when steam cleaning glass is to use distilled water, available in gallon bottles at Target, rather than regular tap water. This is important for several reasons.

Firstly, as Scott Schrader, cleaning expert at CottageCare explains, ‘Using distilled water makes steam-cleaning glass and other surfaces in the home easier compared to tap water. This is because distilled water is purified and free of minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, which can cause limescale buildup and streaks when using tap water.

'As a result, you'll notice a much clearer, streak-free surface since distilled water contains no minerals that could leave residue on the glass.’

Secondly, because of these minerals in tap water, using distilled water can prolong the lifespan of your steam cleaner, reducing the chance of blockages and limescale build-up inside your appliance and making it easier to keep your cleaning supplies clean.

3. Set your steam setting

A big window-cleaning mistake to avoid when steam-cleaning windows is using too high a steam setting on your appliance.

On my steam cleaner, there is an adjustable dial to adjust the degree of steam output. For widows, I set this at its lowest pressure setting to avoid damaging the glass. The steam still comes out at the same temperature, breaking down grime, but the lower pressures reduce significant moisture build-up to make avoiding streaks simpler.

4. Work from top to bottom

One of the smartest cleaning habits to spend less time cleaning that I have learned from professional cleaners is to always work from top to bottom. This applies to everything from dusting to steam cleaning windows.

Starting at the top of my window, I slowly dragged the squeegee attachment down the pane. The key here is ‘slowly’. This allows the low-pressure steam enough time to break down the grime before the silicone ‘blades’ can wipe it away.

Starting at the top means that dirty water and runoff do not roll down onto glass that I have already cleaned, so I do not have to go back over the same areas twice.

5. Buff dry

The final secret to streak-free windows is buffing the pane dry with a lint-free cloth after all the dirt has been removed. I use muslin cloths, available in multi-packs at Target, as they leave no fibers behind and do not risk scratching the glass.

Laura Harness, founder of eco-cleaning brand Seep, also suggests, ‘Wipe away with a lint-free cloth such as bamboo cloths. These are better than microfiber alternatives as they are totally plastic-free and won't leave microplastics on the glass.’

FAQs

Will a steam cleaner crack glass windows?

A steam cleaner will not crack or damage glass windows so long as you work on a day that is warmer than 32 degrees Fahrenheit (zero degrees Celsius), as sudden temperature changes in glass can result in fractures.

Steam-cleaning windows does not end with the glass. For a thorough clean, Laura adds, ‘Open the windows and wipe down the sills for all the debris that has been collected over the winter months.’ It is also possible to clean window tracks with steam by using a steam injector nozzle to blast away dirt and debris while sanitizing – it’s the perfect all-round tool.