Windows look best if they are cleaned on a regular basis, at least twice a year on the inside and outside. Here are some useful techniques for cleaning windows:

• Wash one side of a window with horizontal strokes and the other side with vertical strokes so you can pinpoint which side of the window has a streak.
• Use a squeegee on a long handle or a sponge/squeegee combination to prevent streaks on large windows.
• Eliminate tiny scratches on glass by polishing the affected areas with toothpaste.
• Washing windows should be done on a cloudy day, because direct sunlight dries cleaning solutions before you can polish the glass properly.
• Use a soft toothbrush or cotton swab to clean corners. ­ ­
• To give an extra shine to window glass, polish it with well-washed cotton T-shirts or old cloth diapers. Or rub a clean blackboard eraser over a freshly washed and dried window to give it a diamond-bright shine.
• Polish windows to a sparkling shine with crumpled newspaper. The paper also leaves a film that's resistant to dirt.
• Wash windows from the top down to prevent drips.