Clean windows make an incredible difference. Auckland's coastal environment means windows get dirty fast. Here's how to keep them sparkling.
The Professional Technique
Apply cleaning solution with a strip washer, remove with a squeegee using overlapping strokes from top down. This technique appears in every professional's cleaning checklist.
Best DIY Solution
Warm water, few drops of dish soap, splash of white vinegar. The vinegar is especially important for cutting coastal salt spray. All eco-friendly and safe.
Don't Forget Window Tracks
Vacuum tracks first, then wipe with a damp cloth. This is crucial for end-of-tenancy inspections where tracks are always checked.
When to Hire Professionals
For two-storey homes or hard-to-reach windows. At minimum, go professional twice yearly — especially during spring cleaning season.
Call +64 27 405 2667 for professional window cleaning across Auckland.
How often should windows be cleaned in Auckland?
Auckland's mix of salt air, pollen and winter rain means glass gets dirty faster here than in most of the country. As a rule of thumb for West Auckland homes:
| Where you live | Exterior glass | Interior glass | Tracks & frames |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal — Piha, Karekare, Bethells, Te Atatu Peninsula | Every 2–3 months (salt film builds fast) | Every 3 months | Every visit — sand and salt corrode aluminium |
| Bush suburbs — Titirangi, Laingholm, Oratia, Waiatarua | Every 3–4 months (pollen, moss, spider webs) | Every 3–6 months | Every visit — check for mould in rubber seals |
| Urban — Henderson, New Lynn, Glen Eden, Massey | Every 4–6 months | Every 6 months | Twice a year |
Step-by-step: the streak-free method
- Dust first. Brush frames, sills and tracks with a dry brush or vacuum crevice tool so grit doesn't scratch the glass.
- Wash with a strip applicator dipped in a bucket of warm water with a squeeze of dishwashing liquid. Work in an "S" pattern, top to bottom.
- Squeegee in overlapping strokes, wiping the rubber blade on a lint-free cloth after every pass.
- Detail the edges with a dry microfibre cloth — this is where streaks and drips show.
- Do it in the shade. Direct sun dries the solution before you can squeegee it, which is the number-one cause of streaks in summer.
Dealing with Auckland-specific problems
- Salt haze on coastal glass: rinse with plain water first, then wash; salt crystals scratch if you go straight in with the applicator.
- Hard-water spots from sprinklers or tank water: a 1:1 white-vinegar and water solution left for a minute dissolves the minerals.
- Black mould in rubber seals: common in older Titirangi and Glen Eden homes. Wipe with a mild bleach-free mould remover and improve ventilation — the mould will return if the room stays damp.
- Green algae on south-facing frames: part of an exterior house wash rather than a window job; see our exterior house cleaning service.
Safety: when not to do it yourself
Second-storey windows, glass above decks and sloping bush sections are where DIY window cleaning goes wrong. Professional teams use water-fed poles that clean up to three storeys from the ground with purified water — no ladders, no detergent residue, and the glass dries spot-free. Combined with a house wash or a deep clean, exterior windows are usually a modest add-on rather than a separate callout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best homemade window cleaning solution?
Warm water with a small squeeze of dishwashing liquid. For mineral spots, add white vinegar at a 1:1 ratio. Avoid ammonia around tinted or coated glass.
Why do my windows streak after cleaning?
Usually the sun dried the solution before you squeegeed, the blade was dirty, or too much detergent was used. Work in shade, wipe the blade every stroke and keep the soap minimal.
Does Fizzy Cleaning clean windows?
Yes — interior windows are included in deep cleans and end of tenancy cleans, and exterior windows can be added to any house wash across West Auckland.
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