Colette’s Newspaper Method for Cleaning Streak-Free Windows

At 79, Colette still swears by her old stack of newspapers for cleaning the windows in her home. In her kitchen, crumpled sheets sit beside the sink alongside a small spray bottle containing warm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid. “I started doing it in 1965, at my mother’s house,” she says, almost surprised that the habit is still being discussed. Outside, the late-morning light picks out rain marks on the patio doors. Colette rubs gently in circular motions, then dries the glass with another sheet. Its clarity quickly returns, making the window seem almost invisible. There is nothing complicated about her secret, although it relies on one detail many people overlook.

Newspaper, a cleaning habit passed from kitchen to kitchen

We all know the feeling: you think you have finished washing a window, only to spot a large streak when the sun comes out. Colette smiles at the thought, as newspaper often saves her from that frustration, provided she does not rush. She never soaks the sheet or works on glass that is hot from direct sunshine. The paper absorbs remaining moisture while moving smoothly over the surface, producing the clear finish so many households want. It is not some grandmother’s magic pulled from a cupboard, but a simple, precise and rather comforting routine.

During the 1960s, this technique was widely shared because kitchen-roll was more expensive and far less common in homes. Colette remembers Saturday cleaning sessions, windows left open despite the cold, and her father carefully keeping the week’s daily papers. At the time, she used one newspaper sheet for a small window and two for the living-room French doors. Even now, she collects copies her neighbour has already read. This small ritual means she can avoid disposable cloths. Honestly, nobody really does this every day.

The logic is fairly straightforward, according to a window-cleaning professional: thin newspaper catches the final droplets and helps spread the cleaning solution without leaving thick fibres behind, unlike some cheap kitchen-roll. Older inks could also create a polishing effect, although their composition has changed considerably since 1965. Newspapers printed today generally use less greasy inks than they once did. The method can therefore still work, but not with every type of paper: glossy pages, leaflets and magazines are often a poor choice.

The professional newspaper method for streak-free windows

To achieve clean glass, the professional advises removing dust first with a dry cloth or soft brush. Colette then makes a very mild mixture: one litre of warm water and a small drop of washing-up liquid, with nothing else added. She sprays sparingly, using only enough to dampen the surface, before scrunching a sheet of newspaper into a soft ball. She begins at the top and works downwards gradually, without going over the same area ten times. A second, dry sheet is used to finish the corners. The real secret is to use very little water, because too much creates the runs you then try to remove.

One common mistake is using newspaper on delicate, scratched or specially filmed glazing. Modern windows with heat-control treatment, privacy film or very fragile coatings require greater care. In those cases, it is better to use a clean microfibre cloth and a product recommended by the manufacturer. Newspaper can also leave a slight colour residue on hands or white frames when the print is fresh. It is not a serious issue, but it can be irritating. Before cleaning an entire patio door, the wisest option is to test it discreetly in a corner.

The professional also stresses the importance of timing: a window in full sunshine dries too quickly, allowing marks to appear before you have time to dry it.

“Newspaper works because it is absorbent and produces almost no lint. But it does not replace the right technique: little product, even pressure and a dry finish.”

To keep this old tip pleasant and effective, a few guidelines are enough:

• choose a matt, non-glossy newspaper that is thoroughly dry;
• replace the sheet as soon as it becomes damp or dirty;
• avoid recently painted frames and treated surfaces;
• clean on an overcast day or towards the end of the day.

An old newspaper habit that also reflects how we consume

What Colette values is not merely a cleaning method. Behind her crumpled newspaper sheets lies a generation that repaired, reused and gave a second purpose to items lying around the house. She does not claim to have all the answers or lecture her grandchildren, who have squeegees, wipes and specialist sprays. She simply says her windows are clean, the approach suits her, and she enjoys the gesture she learned from her mother. Sometimes the humblest solutions last because they remain effective.

Newspaper will not be ideal in every situation, and microfibre has strong advantages, particularly for large glazed areas or modern windows. Even so, Colette’s tip shows that an everyday object can still be useful, without new packaging or extravagant promises. It only takes a little method, an assessment of the surface being cleaned and the patience rarely seen in quick demonstrations. Perhaps you also have a habit handed down by a parent, neighbour or meticulous grandfather. Such routines often say far more than a simple household chore.

Key point	Detail	Benefit for the reader
Newspaper absorbs well	It reduces lint on lightly damp glass	Clearer windows using an item already to hand
The amount matters	A small quantity of water and cleaning product is enough	Fewer runs and fewer drying marks
The method must be adapted	Treated or fragile glazing requires microfibre	Effective cleaning without unnecessary risk