# Cleaning windows that have not been washed in a decade. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 15, 2005, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-windows-that-have-not-been-washed-in-a-decade/321766 "2005-09-15T12:18:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-windows-that-have-not-been-washed-in-a-decade/321766/1 "2005-09-15T12:18:15Z")
My urban apartment windows need cleaning. The outsides have not been washed in a long, long time. I suspect that this is not a job for Windex nor any of those mild homemade concoctions you find in household hint books for cleaning mirrors and other inside glass surfaces. What do the pros use for a job like this? Side bar story: Once, when a friend moved into a new place, the superintendent had his guys give the windows an “acid wash.” The super, who charged my friend dearly for the service, acted like they were using some rare and magical potion. I joked to my friend that it was probably just vinegar and water in a bucket. ---
**Author:** ![blackraven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@blackraven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blackraven)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-windows-that-have-not-been-washed-in-a-decade/321766/2 "2005-09-15T12:23:54Z")
Whatever cleaning agent you end up using follow up by drying or polishing the windows with old newspaper. This will give you an unprecedented smear free and longer lasting clean window. I didn’t believe it myself however, it does work! Also, clean the window frame as when it rains the dirt and grime from the surrounding framework will spread onto the just cleaned window. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-windows-that-have-not-been-washed-in-a-decade/321766/3 "2005-09-15T12:31:51Z")
Wet windows, scrub with a baking soda and water paste, sweege, spray on vinegar/water 50/50 mix, sweege, wipe with newspapers. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-windows-that-have-not-been-washed-in-a-decade/321766/4 "2005-09-15T12:38:00Z")
Totally agree, the newspaper stuff sounds like crap but somehow it works just like its advocates say? Surprised me. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-windows-that-have-not-been-washed-in-a-decade/321766/5 "2005-09-15T12:53:14Z")
If they’re really bad it’s probably best to scrape with a blade of some sort first. ---
**Author:** ![Fridgemagnet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@Fridgemagnet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fridgemagnet)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-windows-that-have-not-been-washed-in-a-decade/321766/6 "2005-09-15T12:53:26Z")
I’ve never felt the need to buy window cleaner or cloths since I was told of the wet newspaper trick. Apparently cheap black (not colour) printed publications work best, I know not why. What is it in newsprint that makes for such a shiny, smear-free finish? ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2005, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-windows-that-have-not-been-washed-in-a-decade/321766/7 "2005-09-15T15:46:11Z")
Sudsy ammonia works very well too. You can use a broom as a brush. What type of windows? If they’re the kind that can be turned so they’re flat, put the sudsy ammonia on and let the gunk soak for a bit, then scrub with a broom or brush. Once all the gunk is gone, use some isopropol alcohol and the afore-mentioned newspaper. shiny 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-windows-that-have-not-been-washed-in-a-decade/321766/8 "2005-09-16T14:03:03Z")
> [@Fridgemagnet](#): > > I’ve never felt the need to buy window cleaner or cloths since I was told of the wet newspaper trick. Apparently cheap black (not colour) printed publications work best, I know not why. > > What is it in newsprint that makes for such a shiny, smear-free finish? There is some petroleum chemical in black newsprint that really cleans glass. While it’s not considered nontoxic, I figure it’s a good way to recycle. Once the windows are clean, washing them with a vinegar/water mix every month should keep them clean. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-windows-that-have-not-been-washed-in-a-decade/321766/9 "2005-09-16T14:10:48Z")
If the windows haven’t been washed in ten years there may be more than dirt on them. My friend who lives on the coast said that the sediments from the salty air render most normal window washing attempts useless. He uses fine steel wool :eek: and a strong amonia solution and gently scrubs off the sediment deposits from the window. He then follows with traditional vinegar/water/newspaper methods to clean the rest of the window. If your windows have minerals and sediments from ten years of rain you may have to resort to his method.