Clear glass for the holiday season

Fog over Lake Lucerne, candles on the table, fairy lights in the window – and suddenly every streak on the glass appears. If you want to enjoy the view of Luzern and the surrounding area during the festive season, your windows need a bit of winter preparation.

This compact guide walks you through simple, home-based ways to keep your windows clean until Christmas – and shows you when it makes sense to call in professionals like GlasRein.

Why winter is tough on your windows

In winter, your windows are under pressure from three directions:

1. Indoor humidity Cooking, showering and drying clothes increase moisture in the air. It ends up as condensation on cold glass.
2. Cold outdoor temperatures Cold exterior, warm interior air – the perfect mix for fogged-up windows.
3. Dirt from outside Fine dust, road salt, rain and snow all leave a film on the glass.

A proper clean at the right time reduces your workload for the rest of the season.

Preparation: frames, seals and window sills

Before you start with the glass itself, set things up properly:

• Vacuum dust and cobwebs
• Wipe the window sill with a damp cloth
• Clean rubber seals with lukewarm water and a drop of dish soap
• Quickly check hinges and handles – everything moving smoothly?

Avoid harsh chemicals on seals and frames. They shorten the lifetime of the components without improving the result.

5-step winter cleaning plan for your windows

Step 1: Choose the right day

• Dry weather, no direct, strong sunlight on the glass
• Bright but cloudy winter day is ideal
• If it is very cold: focus on the inside, postpone the outside

Step 2: Keep the solution simple

Bucket with lukewarm water, plus:

• 1–2 drops of dish soap
• optional: a small splash of household vinegar or alcohol to reduce streaks

No complex mix of products, no heavy perfumes. Simple solutions are easier to control.

Step 3: Wash the glass

• Use a soft sponge or wash leather
• Apply the solution evenly from top to bottom
• Loosen insect marks and stubborn spots with a bit more pressure

Step 4: Squeegee like a pro

• Start at the top edge
• Pull the squeegee down in one smooth stroke
• Wipe the rubber blade after every stroke
• Finish edges and corners with a microfibre cloth

This gives clean surfaces without streaks and without double work.

Step 5: Keep the inside under control

Instead of doing a full deep-clean every time:

• Remove fingerprints and splashes as they appear
• Do a quick full inside clean every two to three weeks
• Keep bucket, squeegee and microfibre cloth in one fixed place

That way your windows stay holiday-ready with minimal extra effort.

Home remedies that work – and what to skip

Good options:

• Lukewarm water with a small amount of dish soap
• A little vinegar or alcohol to combat streaks
• Quality microfibre cloths for the final polish

Not worth it:

• Newspaper (ink and fibres, outdated trick)
• Strong kitchen cleaners (can damage seals and frames)
• Highly perfumed cleaners (often leave a film on the glass)

The simplest approach usually wins: basic solution, structured process, good tools.

Condensation, fogged-up windows and mould

Clean glass is one thing. Keeping it dry is another. Three key levers:

1. Ventilate properly

• Open windows fully for 5–10 minutes several times a day
• Especially after cooking, showering and drying laundry
• Avoid leaving windows tilted all day – it cools the reveals without improving the air much

2. Do not block radiators

• Avoid heavy curtains directly in front of the window
• Do not overload the window sill with decoration
• Warm air needs direct access to the glass

3. Remove moisture immediately

• Wipe away condensation at the bottom of the window regularly
• Keep an eye on corners and silicone joints
• Persistent moisture is the first stage towards mould

Safety: when to hand the job to professionals

Clear limits for DIY:

• High facades
• Large glass fronts
• Street-facing shop windows
• Roof windows and hard-to-reach elements

The risk of falling, breaking glass or damaging frames is real – and more expensive than a professional cleaning.

This is where professionals have a clear edge: proper equipment, safety training, experience. That is exactly why GlasRein operates in Luzern and surroundings.

Clean windows for the holidays – with or without a pro

If you have the time, tools and motivation, this plan will get your windows into solid shape before Christmas.

If you prefer to outsource the job because

• you do not want to climb ladders,
• your schedule is already full,
• or you manage a whole house, office or shopfront in Luzern and surroundings,

GlasRein can take over.

Learn more about who we are and how we work: https://www.glasrein.ch/en/about

More tips and articles about window and glass care: https://www.glasrein.ch/en/blog

For a concrete offer in Luzern and the surrounding area: https://www.glasrein.ch/en/services

https://www.glasrein.ch/en/contact-us

If you still have questions, our FAQ might already have the answer: https://www.glasrein.ch/en/faq

That is how you go into winter: with a clear view, not cloudy glass.