How to Clean Windows Without Streaks (Kelowna Pro Guide)

How to Clean Windows Without Streaks in Kelowna BC Tower Ranch region. A live next level team member making railing glass look perfect.

Live Next Level vibes only—crystal-clear views, zero streaks. This is the exact process our Kelowna team uses, tuned for Okanagan sun, dust, and hard water.

Why Streaks Happen (and why the Okanagan adds to it)

 

    • Hot glass + direct sun = flash-drying. Cleaner evaporates before you can remove it, leaving residue.

    • Too much soap. A heavy mix leaves a film that grabs dust.

    • Tired tools. Nicked squeegee rubber or linty towels create micro-lines.

    • Hard water. Kelowna’s treated water typically measures ~110–130 mg/L (5–7 gpg) hardness. If sprinkler mist or rinse water dries on the pane, you’ll see “ghost” spots from calcium/magnesium.

    • Wildfire ash & fine dust. Dry-wiping smears particulates and lofts them into the air; damp methods work best.

(Sources at the end for the data-heads.)

The Next Level Kit (DIY, but pro-approved)

 

    • 10–14″ squeegee with fresh, nick-free rubber

    • Washer/T-bar (microfiber sleeve) + bucket of warm water

    • Ammonia-free solution (see recipe below)

    • Huck (surgical) towels or premium, low-lint microfiber for edging/detail

    • Soft brush + vacuum for tracks

    • Optional: 0000 (super-fine) steel wool or bronze wool for stubborn residue only on uncoated, standard glass—keep it wet and test a corner first

⚠️ If your panes are low-E coated or you suspect tempered/coated glass, skip abrasives and scrapers. When in doubt, call a pro.

The Streak-Free Recipe (simple wins)

 

    • Bucket: Warm water

    • Soap: A few drops of a mild dish soap (just enough to help the squeegee glide)

    • Vinegar boost (optional): ¼–½ cup white vinegar per bucket for light mineral film

    • No ammonia near films/tints/vinyl. Choose ammonia-free for safest results.

Timing: Okanagan Edition

 

    • Clean when the glass is cool: early morning, late afternoon, or overcast.

    • Work shaded elevations first, sun-exposed last.

    • Aim exteriors 2× per year; interiors annually (or as needed). That cadence prevents mineral build-up.

Step-by-Step: Interior Windows (5 minutes per pane)

1) Prep

Lay a towel on the sill. Vacuum tracks and dust frames first so you’re not dragging grit onto the glass.

2) Wet the glass

Load your washer and apply evenly, overlapping passes from top to bottom.

3) Make a “dry edge”

With a clean towel, wipe a 1–2 cm dry strip along the side you’ll start from. This stops runs from sneaking under your blade.

4) Squeegee like a pro

Start at the top. Use smooth, overlapping S-strokes, keeping constant pressure. Wipe the rubber after every pass.

5) Detail

Tap-dry the squeegee tips on your towel, then trace the perimeter with a folded huck towel to catch micro-beads. Check from two angles.

Step-by-Step: Exterior Windows (Kelowna realities)

1) Pre-rinse & pre-wash

Rinse off grit. If wildfire ash is present, mist and wipe damp (not dry) to keep particles out of the air.

2) Wash & squeegee

Use a slightly richer solution outside. Same S-stroke technique; keep the rubber spotless.

3) Stubborn spots (sap, bugs, light water marks)

On uncoated glass only, keep the surface wet and gently buff with 0000 steel wool/bronze wool. Squeegee clean.
Do not abrade low-E/tempered/coated surfaces.

Secret Sauce: Trade Tricks You’ll Notice in Our Work

 

    • Two-bucket method. One for soap mix, one for clean rinse—dramatically reduces streaks.

    • Fresh rubber = clear glass. Micro-nicks create micro-lines; swap rubber often.

    • Dedicated detail cloth. Reserve one dry huck solely for edges; swap when damp.

    • Hard-water defense. Adjust sprinklers away from glass. Rinse exteriors thoroughly and remove water before it dries.

    • Pure-water option. A small DI (deionized) setup lets you scrub and air-dry spot-free—no squeegee—because there are no minerals to leave residue. (It’s how pros handle high panes.)

What to Avoid (read this twice)

 

    • Ammonia-based glass sprays around window film/tint or vinyl: can damage films and certain finishes, and often leaves streaks in hot sun. Choose ammonia-free.

    • Scrapers and abrasives on coated/tempered glass. Industry bulletins caution that scrapers and embedded particles can scratch heat-treated surfaces.

    • Pressure washers on windows. They can force water past seals and blow out caulk.

    • Paper towels & worn microfiber. They lint and drag film. Use huck or quality microfiber.

    • Direct sun. It flash-dries cleaner and locks in streaks. Time your clean.

Myth check: “Windex eats glass.” Glass isn’t “eaten,” but ammonia cleaners can harm films and some finishes and are not tint-safe. We stick to ammonia-free for glass and mild soap for frames.

Hard-Water Spots: Fix them before they “ghost”

 

    1. Soften: Press a vinegar-soaked cloth on the spot for 2–3 minutes.

    1. Agitate (uncoated glass only): Light 0000-wool buff, then rinse and squeegee.

    1. Still there? That’s likely etching (micropitting). It’s a restoration job—best left to pros with cerium oxide and the right tooling.

Wildfire Ash & Fine Dust: Clean safely

 

    • Work damp, not dry. Mist lightly and wipe with damp cloths; avoid dry sweeping or leaf blowers.

    • HEPA-filter vacuums only if vacuuming ash; regular/shop vacs can re-aerosolize fine particles.

    • Wear N95, gloves, long sleeves if you’re handling significant ash.

Local Cleaning Calendar (Kelowna & the Valley)

 

    • Spring: Full exterior reset before pollen.

    • Mid-summer: Shade-side touch-ups; avoid midday heat.

    • Late summer/fall (post-smoke): Damp-wipe frames/screens, then full wash.

    • Pre-winter: Interior tune-up for brighter days.

Rather Live It Than Learn It?

When you want the showroom finish without the ladder time, our Kelowna crew blends traditional squeegee work with pure-water systems to deliver streak-free results that last—safely and efficiently.

 

    • West Kelowna or Lake Country? We service your area—ask about our local schedules.

    • Prefer to lock a time right now? Link this text to: Book Online

FAQs

What’s the best time of day to clean windows?

Early morning, late afternoon, or overcast—cool glass prevents flash-drying and streaks.

How often should I clean my windows in Kelowna?

Exteriors twice per year; interiors annually (or as needed). This prevents mineral build-up and keeps views sharp.

Can I use a razor blade on my glass?

Only on uncoated, standard glass and with great care. Never on low-E/tempered/coated surfaces. However we recommend you hire a professional if razor blade window cleaning is required.

Does deionized “pure water” really dry spot-free?

Yes—no minerals = no spots. It’s the industry standard for upper stories.

Sources (keep or remove before publishing)

 

    • City of Kelowna water hardness (~110–130 mg/L) and recent annual report data. City of Kelowna+1

    • Timing to avoid sun/flash-dry and best-practice steps from major window manufacturers & editorial guides. Pella+1

    • Ammonia caution for film/vinyl and tint-safe guidance. SCJP+1

    • Pure-water (DI) dries spot-free—manufacturer/industry explainers. Unger USA+1

    • Ash cleanup: damp methods, avoid dry sweeping; HEPA only.

Picture of Brandon Gawdun

Brandon Gawdun

Entrepreneur and Foremost Expert in building maintenance to help you get the most out of your home and preserve its value cost effectively.