Do Your Own Windows Like a Pro

Philip Bregstone, a.k.a. Dr. Glass, shared these tips for do-it-yourselfers who prefer to wash their own windows:

* The secret is in the squeegee, Bregstone said. He recommends a 12- to 14-inch rubber blade. Newspaper or paper towels and glass cleaner will leave behind streaks and dirt. Stick with the squeegee.

* The solution should be a mixture of mild detergent and water. Bregstone recommends a low-suds product without perfumes or dyes. He uses a double-sided bucket that allows him to keep his solution on one side and his squeegee and towels on the other.

* Speaking of towels, Bregstone swears by the surgical kind to wipe off excess water and solution because they are absorbent and don’t leave behind lint.

* If the sun is out, Bregstone advises that you should not be. The sun dries the solution too quickly and will leave streaks and splotches. He suggests that you wait for a cloudy day or for some shade to fall on your window before you attack it with the squeegee.