If you have kids who love to touch your windows or dogs who frequently put their wet noses to the glass to look outside, you know how hard it is to keep the windows clean. Even if your home's windows aren't touched often, dust and fine debris can coat the glass and steal its shine.

There are many different window-cleaning techniques to choose from, but some require the use of toxic cleaners, and some will leave you with streaky, cloudy glass. There are a few ways that you can clean your windows using simple household products, which are good for your wallet, the environment, and your family's health. Not only are these methods cheap and easy, they will leave you with spot- and streak-free windows as well. 

Here are two techniques for making your windows look their best:

1. Using a Squeegee 

One way to banish unsightly streaks from window glass is by using a squeegee, which consists of a plastic or metal frame and rubber blade. For best results, change the squeegee's blade often and avoid using a dull one, which may leave behind water marks.

Start by filing a bucket with warm water and about a tablespoon of a gentle dishwashing liquid. Dip a clean sponge or cloth into the soapy solution, squeeze out the excess, and begin cleaning the window, focusing on greasy fingerprints and other hard-to-remove spots. 

Slowly move the squeegee vertically down the window to remove any excess liquid. Work in rows, overlapping the ends to avoid making streaks. Wipe the squeegee dry at the end of each row so you don't transfer the soapy water. 

2, Using a Chamois or Newspaper 

Begin the process by spraying the windows down with a commercial streak-free window cleaner or with a mixture of 50% distilled white vinegar and 50% water. Give the glass a fine, even mist, applying a bit more to super-soiled areas, such as places with stuck-on food.

Then, instead of using a typical cleaning rag or piece of paper towel, which can leave behind residue, use a lint-free chamois cloth to wipe the windows dry. Start by moving the chamois in a circular motion, and then work horizontally and vertically until the glass is completely dry and streak-free.

As an alternative to the chamois, you can use newspaper instead. Put on a pair of gloves to avoid getting newsprint on your hands, and crumple one page of the paper into a loose ball. Work the paper over the glass in the same manner as the chamois. While the newspaper print won't leave behind any marks on the glass, it may stain light-colored window frames, so avoid this technique if you have them. 

Share