topic Fixing window smears….? in Home

Fixing window smears….?

jlkz — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 12:44:10 GMT

Cleaning the glass patio doors here in the FL condo as well as at home is a never-ending nightmare. I figure it's a do it twice for a " perfect " glass. Nothing seems to work: I keep doing both sides of the glass but still get those smears, esp. when the sun shines on the glass.

Tried the no-drip type of Windex but it was even worse. Tried different brands of paper towels and even cotton dish towels. Is there something in the environment that is causing this ? Is there something that really works ?

Yesterday afternoon it was cloudy out so I thought this would be a good time to do the slider doors. This 8 AM the smears were back.

Re: Fixing window smears….?

Teddixat — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 13:29:02 GMT

Try using Invisible Glass and a good microfiber cloth. There is a lot of schmutz in our environment that leaves a film on the windows. Professionals usually wash the windows first to get the grimy film off then they use a window cleaner

I swear by Invisible Glass. I have a lot of glass surfaces in my house including my windows

good luck

Re: Fixing window smears….?

Ainhisg — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 13:31:26 GMT

Switch to e-cloths available from Amazon, which just use water. You will never use anything else again.

Re: Fixing window smears….?

Desertdi — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 13:51:26 GMT

I am "extra" short, and can't possibly reach the entire patio slider. I squirt it with a glass cleaner, scrub it with a BROOM, and then rinse it down with the garden hose.

Re: Fixing window smears….?

CelticCrafter — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 14:12:09 GMT

I wish I knew the answer.

I found the thing that works best for me is a plain white terry face cloth with water and then dry it with a woven, 100% cotton dish towel.

All the blue sprays are garbage. Sprayway used to be really good but that's changed now too.

Re: Fixing window smears….?

wagirl — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 15:06:13 GMT

I think ammonia in water would work and using newspaper to wipe it away or a squeegee type thing. I need a good stainless steel appliance cleaner myself.

Re: Fixing window smears….?

BunSnoop — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 15:24:48 GMT

I've used dish soap as it cuts through grime without leaving streaks. A few drops of soap ( I like Dawn) in a gallon of water. I save old terry kitchen towels and use those to dry my windows.

Re: Fixing window smears….?

Krimpette — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 15:58:32 GMT

Another Invisible Glass fan here. Been using. it for years.

Re: Fixing window smears….?

coffee drinker — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:18:21 GMT

My hairdresser suggested using Magic Eraser, dry,do not wet. Didn't work for me, but it worked for her. Go figure. For years I've only used Super Cloths bought from QVC. Works on all my windows and mirrors. Doesn't do anything for my front glass storm door. Drives me nuts, so I'm going to try Invisible Glass -- luckily I have a bottle of it somewhere.

Re: Fixing window smears….?

nascarfan — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:27:27 GMT

I was cleaning windows and doors this morning and of course I have streaks. I just learn to live with them. 😂

Re: Fixing window smears….?

RedTop — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:40:09 GMT

No more store bought glass cleaners for me; I use white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, or pour straight peroxide on a microfiber cloth and clean my windows and mirrors.

Re: Fixing window smears….?

SilleeMee — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 17:01:04 GMT

Look for microfiber cloths made specifically for cleaning glass. Plus use Invisible Glass cleaner.

Re: Fixing window smears….?

jackthebear — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 18:20:28 GMT

Check out the YouTube account, clean that up

He has a recipe for diy window cleaner that is great

Re: Fixing window smears….?

spabar — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 07:53:11 GMT

I'm also in FL, and I use Invisible Glass. I put a microfiber cloth on a Swiffer mop, and it works well.

Re: Fixing window smears….?

50Mickey — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 12:48:02 GMT

I have all of my windows cleaned inside and out once a year after the pollen has gone. The guy who cleans my windows has his own window cleaning company. He uses a mixture of a couple of drops of dish detergent and lots of water. He uses large mop like thing to clean the windows and then a large squeegee on the windows. He wipes the sides of the windows with a cloth. Has it down to a science.

Re: Fixing window smears….?

Imaoldhippie — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:43:51 GMT

Try using vinegar and water 1 to 1 ratio. Use newspaper to wipe it dry.

@jlkz

Re: Fixing window smears….?

SamBrown — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:07:03 GMT

Super Cloth.

Re: Fixing window smears….?

jlkz — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 22:19:34 GMT

@SamBrown

I have Super Cloth which I got from the Q years ago.

I used it up until a few years ago but stopped when I kept noticing " smears " when the sun would hit a mirror. Obviously, the cloth had some type of chemical in / on it. So I would never use it on glass....getting it cleaned off the glass could be too much work.

Re: Fixing window smears….?

jlkz — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 22:22:00 GMT

@Imaoldhippie

The newspaper tip from years ago worked then but has been recognized as no longer useful because the type of newsprint ink has radically changed.

Re: Fixing window smears….?

Zhills — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 22:47:22 GMT

Vinegar & water and a microfiber mop.

You may use 3 pads, wash, rinse & dry but it is super easy and it works!