Cleaning Windows in Winter: How to Get a Streak-Free Finish (Even When It’s Freezing)

Winter windows are tricky. You clean them, step back and somehow they look worse. Streaks, smears, weird hazy patches you swear weren’t there five minutes ago.

The problem usually isn’t your effort, it’s the conditions outside.

Why winter windows are harder than they look

In summer, windows dry quickly and you get away with a lot. In winter, everything’s slower, and that’s where streaks happen.

Cold glass holds onto moisture. The air is damper. Condensation leaves a film. And because the sun sits low, it highlights every last mark like it’s doing an inspection. So even if your windows are only mildly dirty, winter can make them look worse than they are.

Pick your moment

You don’t need a heatwave, just aim for a calm, mild window-cleaning day.

A good rule of thumb:

• Late morning to early afternoon is usually best (a bit warmer, less frost risk).
• Avoid cleaning when the glass is frosty or the temperature is biting cold.
• Also, avoid strong direct sunlight on the glass if it’s one of those rare bright winter days, it can cause the solution to dry too quickly.

How to use Wet & Forget Exterior Glass & Window Cleaner (the no-fuss way)

This product is designed to be used attached to your garden hose, so you can clean from the ground and reach higher windows without ladders (very winter-friendly, and much safer).

Here’s the simple routine:

Step 1: Attach your garden hose & go

Connect the bottle to your garden hose, then switch the nozzle to the 'On' setting.

Step 2: Spray the glass evenly (top to bottom)

Give the window a nice, even coat. A little practical tip: treat one section at a time (especially on larger windows), so you’re always in control of what’s been applied and what’s being rinsed.

Step 3: Short wait… not a long wait

Let it sit briefly, we’re talking about 1–2 minutes. The key is: don’t let it dry.
If you get distracted (it happens), just rinse and reapply rather than letting anything bake on.

Step 4: Switch to “Rinse” and rinse thoroughly

Turn the nozzle to “rinse” and wash the window down well. Start at the top and rinse downwards, following the suds down the pane. 
This matters for streak-free results, because you’re guiding the water where you want it to go rather than letting drips roam free.

Then… that’s it. Let it air dry.