Streak-free glass
How to clean exterior windows and glass balustrades streak-free
Streak-free exterior glass comes down to a pre-rinse to lift grit, a proper clean, and a final rinse timed so the water evaporates before it dries into spots. Here's the full method for windows, flyscreens, balustrades and pool fencing.
Why exterior glass streaks
Streaks are almost always leftover mineral deposits from water that dried on the glass rather than being wiped or rinsed away while still wet. Dust and grit compound the problem by scratching a dry cloth across a dirty surface. The fix is sequencing: rinse first, clean second, rinse and dry third, and always work in the shade if you can.
What you'll need
- Garden hose with jet and fan nozzle settings
- A soft microfibre cloth or squeegee
- Mild glass cleaner or a few drops of dish soap in a bucket of water
- A soft-bristle brush for flyscreens
- Test a small, inconspicuous area first if your glass has a coating, tint or etching
The method, step by step
- Pre-rinse the whole window or balustrade panel with the fan spray to remove loose dust and cobwebs before you touch it with a cloth.
- Wash with a soft cloth and mild soapy water, working top to bottom.
- Rinse again with the fan spray, holding the nozzle back about a metre so you're sheeting water off rather than blasting it.
- Squeegee or wipe dry immediately in one direction, starting at the top corner.
- For flyscreens, remove if possible and lay flat, then rinse both sides with the fan spray and a soft brush — never the concentrated jet, which can bow or tear the mesh.
- For glass balustrades and pool fencing, rinse the base track and hinges as well as the glass, since salt and grime build up there first.
Avoiding hard-water spotting
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Drying in direct sun | Clean in shade or early morning/evening |
| Mineral-heavy tap water | Squeegee dry rather than air-dry |
| Sprinkler overspray | Adjust sprinklers away from glass |
| Sea spray near coastal homes | Rinse weekly, don't let it dry between rinses |
Seals and frames: what to be careful of
Aluminium and uPVC window frames handle a firm rinse well, but avoid holding a concentrated jet directly on rubber or silicone seals for an extended time, as repeated close-range pressure can lift ageing seals over months of use. On glass balustrades, keep the jet setting away from the base plate fixings and any silicone sealant joints — a fan spray is plenty to clean around them.
How long it takes
A standard single-storey home with 10-15 external windows takes around 45-60 minutes for a full rinse-wash-rinse-dry cycle. Glass pool fencing adds another 20-30 minutes given the extra attention needed at the base tracks.
Mistakes to avoid
- Cleaning in direct midday sun, which dries water before you can wipe it and guarantees streaks
- Using a concentrated jet close to flyscreen mesh — it will bow or split
- Skipping the pre-rinse and dragging grit across dry glass with a cloth
- Long, sustained close-range spraying directly on silicone seals or window seals
Questions
Frequently asked
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