How to Clean Windows Inside and Out (Best Tips)

Spring is here, and it’s time to get your windows sparkling again! Cleaning windows doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—especially with the right tools, a few easy steps, and a warm sunny day. I’ve figured out a process that works well to get the inside, outside, and window tracks looking good.

Let me take you back a couple of years. I got three quotes from professional window cleaners to tackle our windows—inside, outside, and the tracks. And guess what? Every single one came in around $800. I was floored. They offered full service: cleaning the glass windows, wiping down the window frames, and deep cleaning the window sills—but I still couldn’t justify the price.

I called my mom, and in true mom fashion, she said, “Absolutely not. We’re doing it ourselves.” So we rolled up our sleeves, gathered our supplies, and spent an entire day tackling all 30 windows in my two-story home. It was honestly kind of fun, and we learned so much along the way. You can watch the entire video of us cleaning windows right here.

Today, I’m breaking down everything we did, what worked best, and how I’ve streamlined the process since then. (Hello, steam cleaner!) Whether you’re prepping for spring cleaning or just sick of looking through streaky glass, here’s exactly how to clean your windows inside and out—without spending a small fortune on professional cleaners.

Step 1: Cleaning Your Window Tracks

If you’ve ever looked closely at your window tracks and window sills, you know they’re dust, dirt, and dead bug magnets. Two years ago, when I cleaned all the windows in my house with my mom, this part was by far the most time-consuming. But wow, was it satisfying once they were done.

We used the classic DIY method: vinegar, baking soda, and a whole lot of elbow grease.

Method 1: The Classic Vinegar + Baking Soda Combo

Effective, but time-intensive! Here’s what we did:

1. Sprinkle baking soda into the window tracks, focusing on the corners and dirtiest spots.
2. Spray vinegar over the baking soda and let it fizz for a few minutes. This reaction helps loosen all the gunk.
3. Scrub with a toothbrush to lift the grime. We spent a lot of time here—it’s a great upper arm workout, ha!
4. Use a shop vac if you have one, to suck up the wet mess. Make sure it’s a shop vac that can handle both wet and dry. If you don’t have a shop vac, a few rounds with a damp cloth or paper towel will do the trick.
5. Wipe it all down to remove residue and admire your squeaky clean tracks.

This worked great, but it took a long time, especially with dozens of windows to do.

Method 2: The Steam Cleaner Game-Changer

This year, I upgraded. I used my steam cleaner on the tracks and—no exaggeration—it was magical. The steam lifts grime almost instantly; it gets into every little corner with zero scrubbing; plus it sanitizes as it cleans! This method is especially helpful for cleaning out stubborn dirt, which tends to build up after winter.

1. Use the narrow nozzle attachment to blast steam directly into the tracks.
2. Work slowly, loosening up the debris as you go.
3. Wipe or vacuum the tracks right after, while the gunk is still wet.
4. Repeat if needed on extra dirty areas—but honestly, I needed way fewer passes than with vinegar.

This method saved me so much time and energy. If you have a steam cleaner at home, use it. You’ll never go back!

Step 2: Cleaning Interior Windows

Over the past six years in our home, we’ve slowly upgraded all of our windows and let me tell you, it was so worth it. (If you’re curious, you can read more about that whole process here.) Most of our windows are now double-hung, which has been a total game-changer when it comes to cleaning.

Why? Because you can clean both the inside and outside of your windows from inside your home.

How I Clean My Double-Hung Windows

I started with the bottom sash…

1. Open the bottom window.
2. Press the two latches at the top of the sash inward.
3. Carefully tilt the window toward the inside.
4. I applied the Windex directly to the window surface. Then, I wiped the glass panes with a clean microfiber cloth to get that streak-free shine.

When my mom and I cleaned them together a couple of years ago, we used a simple solution of vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle, along with microfiber cloths. It worked great and gave us a streak-free finish.

This time around, I used Windex and a microfiber cloth, and honestly, it was even easier and dried faster.

Don’t Forget: The Top Sash Tilts In Too

I’ll admit it—I didn’t realize the top part of our double-hung windows also tilts in until recently. Once I figured it out, window cleaning became so much easier.

1. Open and tilt the bottom sash.
2. Pull down the top sash slightly.
3. Press the latches on the top sash inward and tilt that one in as well.
4. Clean the exterior-facing side of the top sash, then wipe the inside of both sashes. You’ll be amazed at how much dirty water you remove from the inside of your windows!

If you’re working with newer windows like ours, take advantage of that double-hung feature. It makes regular maintenance quicker, safer, and so much more manageable.

Step 3: Cleaning Exterior Windows

While most of the windows in our home are now double-hung (and can be cleaned from the inside), we also have a mix of casement and picture windows, and those require a little extra effort.

Casement windows are the kind that crank open outward on a hinge. Unlike double-hung windows, you can’t tilt them in, so cleaning the outside means actually getting outside. Same with picture windows—those big, fixed panes of glass that don’t open at all. Both are beautiful, but definitely trickier to clean without the right tools.

And let me be honest: I wasn’t about to haul out a ladder and climb up to the second story. That’s just not my idea of a good time.

My Secret Weapon: Windex Outdoor Window Cleaner Spray

This product changed the game for me. It connects right to your garden hose and lets you clean windows quickly and safely from the ground.

1. Connect the bottle directly to your hose.
2. Set the nozzle to “Rinse” and spray down your windows to remove loose dirt and debris.
3. Turn the dial to “Clean” and coat the windows with the cleaning solution. It gets nice and sudsy.
4. Let it sit for about 15 seconds.
5. Switch the nozzle back to “Rinse” and spray everything clean.
6. That’s it—no wiping or scrubbing required.

The best part? It doesn’t leave streaks. I didn’t even need to dry them with a cloth. There were no water spots or mineral deposits left behind, even with our hard water. I used it on our casement and picture windows, and everything came out looking crystal clear.

Bonus Step: A Final Pass on the Double-Hung Windows

Even though I had already cleaned our double-hung windows from the inside, I went over the exterior panes one more time with the Windex spray just to give them a little extra sparkle. Plus, this was the easiest way to clean the dirty window screens. It made a noticeable difference, and only took a few extra minutes to get those streak-free windows.

If you’re dealing with a mix of window styles or just want a quick and easy way to clean exterior windows, this spray is a total win. It’s safe, affordable, and honestly kind of fun to use.

How Often Should You Clean Your Windows?

In Your Home Playbook, I recommend tackling your dirty windows once a year, usually in the spring or early summer. After months of snow, salt, and general winter grime, your windows are due for a deep clean—and trust me, the payoff is instant.

You don’t always realize how dull and dirty your windows have gotten until you clean them. But once you do? It’s like someone turned the lights on in your house. Natural light floods in, everything looks brighter, and your whole home just feels cleaner.

Of course, if you live somewhere particularly dusty or have a lot of pollen in the air, you might want to spot-clean more often. But one solid deep clean a year is enough to keep things looking fresh and clear.

Not sure what other maintenance tasks you’re missing each month? That’s exactly what Your Home Playbook is for. It’s my month-by-month guide to staying on top of home care without the overwhelm. Think seasonal checklists, step-by-step tutorials, and everything you need to keep your home running smoothly, without forgetting a thing!

Bring On The Sunshine!

Cleaning your windows—inside, outside, and those tricky tracks—might not be the most glamorous job, but wow, the difference it makes is huge. It’s one of those tasks where the payoff is instant. Your whole home feels brighter, lighter, and more put together.

Whether you’re doing the vinegar-and-toothbrush route with a helpful sidekick (Hi, Mom!) or breezing through with a steam cleaner and hose attachment, I hope this guide gave you the confidence to tackle it on your own.