Cleaning car windows is no one's favourite chore. You think you're doing a good job, and then there are streaks again. In this article, we explain how to clean your car windows (or truck windows) in 5 steps without streaks. And preventing bird droppings and insects? Well, you can't prevent that. But we'd be happy to explain how to remove dirt like insects as easily as possible.
The importance of clean car windows
Dirty car windows not only look unprofessional, but they can also seriously obstruct your view! Even if you think your screen is reasonably clean, there are certain factors that can still hinder your vision. For example, greasy streaks on your car window may not be visible if it's cloudy. However, with a low sun, these smudges can be very annoying! Also in the dark, with the bright lights of oncoming traffic, greasy streaks and dirt on the car window can be very irritating. Let's look at how we can best clean car windows and what you, as a truck driver, should pay extra attention to!
Supplies for cleaning car windows
Well begun is half done, so make sure you are well prepared before you start cleaning! Below are the supplies you need to get your car windows sparkling clean again.
- Bucket with warm water
- Car shampoo
- Ladder (to easily reach your truck windows!)
- Garden hose
- Window cleaner
- Sponge
- Microfibre cloths
- Glass cloth
Cleaning the outside of car windows
Cleaning your car windows is not rocket science, though it can be a bit trickier for a truck, of course. With the right products and the steps below, you'll get a streak-free and crystal-clear result. Don't feel like doing it yourself? You're always welcome to visit one of our branches; we'd be happy to help you!
Are your windows very dirty? Start with step 1.
Step 1: Rinse
The first step is very important when cleaning car windows. Use a garden hose or a bucket of water to rinse the windows thoroughly! This ensures that all loose dirt and dust particles are removed from the surface. This prevents you from smearing dirt or making scratches in the following steps. Now, the chance of scratching a window is not very high, but it would be annoying if it did happen.
Step 2: Use soapy water
Are the windows still very dirty after rinsing? Then use car shampoo and water to free the windows from any remaining grease and other dirt particles. Mix Truckssupply shampoo 1:100 for the best results. Done washing? Then rinse thoroughly!
Step 3: Dry the windows
Now it's time to dry the windows, which can be done with a clean microfibre cloth. A dry surface is important for a streak-free result! Water can leave stains, partly due to the lime it contains. Make sure you dry thoroughly, especially in the corners of the windows.
Step 4: Apply a glass cleaner
Now we're really getting to work to ensure your truck's windows become crystal clear! Apply a car window cleaner to the windows. Read the instructions on the bottle carefully, as they may vary depending on the window cleaner. Do you have a lot of insects on the windows? Then use an insect remover!
Make sure you cover the entire window with the glass cleaner, including the corners and edges. All our glass cleaners are safe for window rubbers and trims. So, spray generously!
The best glass cleaners for windows
- Great-Lion – Clear Vision Window Cleaner 1L
- Kenotek – Glass Cleaner
- Truckssupply – Glass Cleaner
- Blue Yel – Glass Cleaner
It can always happen that some stains have appeared: it's okay, it happens. If you still see stains, try to wipe them away with a dry glass cloth or microfibre cloth. Often these stains are dried glass cleaner or water.
Cleaning the inside of car windows
We all know that the outside of a truck can get quite dirty, but the inside shouldn't be forgotten when cleaning! You can, of course, use the same steps as for the outside of the windows, but we advise against using a garden hose inside 😉 That's why we've compiled the steps here for cleaning the inside of car windows:
- Apply a glass cleaner generously to the inside of the window surface.
- Use a glass cloth, for example from Vital Elements, and thoroughly clean the window.
- Take a clean, dry glass cloth and wipe thoroughly. This helps prevent streaks and stains and ensures a crystal-clear result.
Bonus tips
- Suffering from fogged up windows? Then use an anti-fog product! It helps prevent windows and mirrors from misting up.
- While you're at it, clean the truck's mirrors too. The same steps generally apply to mirrors as well!
- When washing your glass cloths or microfibre cloths, never use fabric softener! Also, do not put the cloths in the tumble dryer. Both can damage the structure and quality of the cloths.
