I hate to clean windows. Washing windows is one of the most tedious, mind-numbing jobs around the house. The good news is that it does not have to be done nearly as often as other tedious, mind-numbing jobs like cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming and laundry. (I’m tired just thinking of housework.)

To make cleaning windows bearable means making it as efficient as possible, and who would know better than the pros.

1. Bucket

2. Dish detergent (I use Dawn)

3. White vinegar

4. Warm water

5. Rags and/or scrubbies

6. Squeegee

7. Dry rags

8. Ladder and/or step stool

Notice that’s there’s no mention of store-bought window cleaning sprays. I think those things are garbage. I always spent more time wiping off the streaks that I did actually cleaning the windows. Not to mention how much that stuff costs. So here's how to get squeaky clean windows with the least effort and in the most inexpensive manner --

1. Squeeze a couple of tablespoons of dish detergent into a bucket. (China and glass are the same as windows after all.) Fill the bucket about half full of water.
2. If the windows have any grease on them, say, your kitchen windows, add a splash of white vinegar to the bucket.
3. Depending on how dirty your windows are, use a brush, scrubby or rag. Dunk the brush, scrubby or rag in the bucket, wring it out so that it’s good and wet but not too drippy and wipe down the window. Return the item to the bucket.
4. Now reach for your squeegee.
5. If you are right handed, start at the top left corner and draw your squeegee horizontally across the window. When you get close to the corner, turn the squeegee clockwise until the right side is at the corner and pull the squeegee down to the bottom of the window.
6. Wipe the squeegee with a dry rag.
7. Start a little ways down the left side of the window, overlapping the previous stroke slightly. Draw the squeegee horizontally toward the right, and make the turn before you get to the right edge. Wipe the squeegee again.
8. Each pass defines a smaller area. Repeat until the final swipe is about the width of the squeegee, and you make the turn almost immediately.
9. Wipe the entire area with a dry cloth to get any stray spots.

If you miss a spot, that's fine. You'll get it with the final wipe down. Always start the squeegee where there's some wetness. If you are doing large panes of glass like sliding doors, do it in sections starting at the top.

Lastly, vinegar-water and old newspapers work great for mirrors and small window jobs. If you are thinking of selling your home, clean windows make a great impression on buyers.

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