Streaks come from three things: cleaning in direct sun, too much detergent, and a dirty squeegee blade. Fix those and the rest is just order of work.
Do the track before the glass
This is the step that decides whether the result lasts. A track full of grit turns to mud the moment it gets wet, and that mud runs straight back down the glass. Vacuum the track out first, every time.
| Component | What it needs | What happens if it is skipped |
|---|---|---|
| Glass, inside | Washed and squeegeed, edges detailed | The obvious one; rarely skipped |
| Glass, outside | Washed and squeegeed where reachable safely | Half the job left undone |
| Frame and reveal | Washed down, corners cleared | Dirty frames make clean glass look worse |
| Sill | Wiped and dried | Where marks reappear from first |
| Track | Vacuumed, then washed out | Grit here washes back onto the glass in the first rain |
| Flyscreen | Removed, washed, refitted | Clean glass still looks dirty from inside |
The order
Getting a streak-free result
- Never clean in direct sun — the solution dries before you can squeegee it
- Use very little detergent; a few drops in a bucket is plenty
- Wipe the squeegee blade after every single pass
- Overlap each pass by about 25 mm so no dry line is left between them
- Work top to bottom so drips land on glass not yet finished
- Dry the edges and corners with a separate cloth
- Use a different cloth for the frame than for the glass
The most common mistake
Too much detergent. Excess creates a film that shows as streaks in every angle of light, and the natural response is to add more product, which makes it worse. If you are getting streaks, use less.
Flyscreens
A clean pane behind a dusty screen still looks dirty from inside the room, which is why screen cleaning changes the result more than people expect. Take them out, wash the mesh on both sides with a soft brush and a bucket, rinse, and let them dry fully before refitting.
Label them or note which opening they came from. Screens are rarely interchangeable and refitting a wrong one is a genuinely annoying way to end the job.
Keeping them clean longer
| Cause | What helps |
|---|---|
| Grit left in tracks | Clear the track properly; it is the main source |
| Dirty flyscreens | Wash the mesh rather than brushing it |
| Nearby roadworks or building sites | Nothing much — just clean more often while it lasts |
| Tree sap and pollen | Expect a shorter interval under mature trees |
| Sprinklers hitting the glass | Redirect them; mineral spotting etches over time |
| Hard water drying on the glass | Dry the glass rather than letting it air dry |
Twice a year is the usual interval
Most homes suit twice yearly. Properties near main roads, open ground or building sites want it more often. Under mature trees, sap and pollen shorten the interval regardless of how well the job was done.
We do window and gutter cleaning across Melbourne's eastern suburbs — glass, frames, sills, tracks and flyscreens. Ask us for a quote and we will tell you honestly what can be reached safely at your place.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I always get streaks?
Usually too much detergent, cleaning in direct sun, or not wiping the squeegee blade between passes. Try less product first.
Is newspaper better than cloth?
It works because it is lint-free and mildly abrasive, but modern newsprint transfers ink. A clean microfibre cloth does the same job without the mess.
How often should windows be cleaned?
Twice a year for most homes. More often near main roads, building sites or open ground.
3 Piglets Cleaning
We are a Croydon-based cleaning company serving Melbourne's eastern and south-eastern suburbs. Our technicians are police-checked and fully insured, and those working with NDIS participants and older clients hold NDIS Worker Screening Clearances. More about us.
