The best way to clean windows, according to our cleaning lab

Over time, pollution and grime accumulate slowly on your windows, obstructing your view and blocking sunlight. So what is the only thing worse? Thick streaks left behind by improper cleaning. To keep your vista clear, follow this expert advice from Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. With the right spray, cloth and technique, your windows will have never looked better.

1. Choose a dry, cloudy day. “Do this job in the blazing sun, and the cleaner will dry onto the hot windows before you get to wipe it off, leaving hard-to-remove streaks,” Forte says. If the weather does not cooperate, start on the shady side of the house.

2. Remove dirt and dust first. Before starting, sweep dirt from the window frame with a brush or vacuum it up with a dusting attachment. First, removing the dirt and dust will prevent dirt from turning into a mess when mixed with a cleaner. If the window screen looks especially grimy, pop it out and wash with hot, sudsy water and a soft brush, then rinse and let dry before putting it back. For dusting shades and blinds, go over both sides with a microfiber duster or open the slats and go over each one with a damp cloth, followed by a dry one.

3. Pick the right cleaner — and spritz generously. Do not hold back on the spray, especially if your windows look extra dirty. “You need plenty of cleaner to dissolve and suspend the dirt so it can be completely wiped away — skimp, and you’ll be seeing streaks,” Forte says. She recommends Invisible Glass Cleaner With EZ Grip. If you would prefer to go the DIY route, try this homemade glass cleaner: Combine 2 cups water, 1/2 cup white or cider vinegar and 1/4 cup 70 percent concentration rubbing alcohol and pour into a spray bottle. Write the ingredients on the outside of the bottle for safety.

4. Use a microfiber cloth. Some folks like drying panes with newspaper, but you are better off with reusable microfiber cloths. “They are super absorbent, washable, and leave the glass shiny and streak-free,” Forte says. Try Casabella Microfiber Glass Cloths, which have a honeycomb texture to catch water spots, smudges and dirt from mirrors and glass without scratching. Bounty Regular held up the best when wet if you prefer to use paper towels.

5. Skip the squeegee. “Professional window cleaners swear by them, but you have to know how to use them right,” Forte says. “You squeegee down, and where does the water go? On the floor.” Because of the potential mess and drip factor, she avoids using squeegees, especially for small panes, but they can be more helpful on bigger picture windows.

6. Break it down. Forte says you only need to clean your windows once or twice a year, but it is even easier if you divide the job up and do it room by room. When cleaning, wipe one side of the window horizontally and the other vertically. Then, if any streaks do form, you will quickly know whether they are outside or the inside.

5 BEST CARPET CLEANERS TO GET RID OF EVERY STAIN

These top-tested machines will give you a professional feeling clean at home.

Suppose your home has lots of carpeting and upholstery that get lots of traffic and stains from family, friends and pets. In that case, a carpet cleaner is a worthwhile investment in addition to your vacuum cleaner or handheld vacuum.

Carpet cleaners wet-clean or “wash” carpets and upholstery using water, a cleaning solution and suction to dissolve stains and remove the stuck-on dirt that regular vacuuming cannot. These are the top carpet cleaning machines in GH Cleaning Lab tests:

Best Overall Carpet Cleaner: Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner. This full-size machine deep cleans and works on stairs, upholstery and even tackles pet hair. The targeted spray nozzle for stains works with just the press of a pedal, without having to stop and use a different product. In addition, the 2-in-1 Pet Upholstery Tool works dry to pull out stubborn pet hair and wet to zap stains on furniture fabrics and mattresses.

Best Professional Home Carpet Cleaner: Bissell Big Green

Machine Professional Carpet Cleaner. The large tanks are super easy to fill, carry and replace. It is simple to operate, and the spinning flow indicator on top takes the guesswork out of knowing when the cleaning solution needs refilling. The adjustable handle moves to the most comfortable position for each user and folds for more accessible storage.

Best Portable Carpet Cleaner: Bissell Pet Stain Eraser PowerBrush Plus. This cordless Bissell has a built-in rotating brush for deep cleaning that is easy to switch off when cleaning delicate fabrics. In addition, it comes with a rubber pet tool to tackle messes from furry family members. This Bissell snagged a “best overall” rating for stain and odor removal, sound, run time and more. It removed fresh and dried red wine and blueberry pie filling stains in our tests and ran for 20 minutes on one charge. It was also among the quietest models we tested.

Best Carpet Cleaner for Cars: Hoover ONEPWR Spotless Go Cordless Spot Cleaner. If the upholstery and carpet in your car seem to need constant cleaning, this cordless Hoover is a must-have to keep in your garage. We found that its slim design and 2-foot hose make it suited for reaching and cleaning under a car’s seats, inside the trunk and all nooks and crannies. In addition, its smaller tanks make it lightweight and easy to maneuver and store and, in our tests, tea and red wine stains were history.

Best Rental Carpet Cleaner: Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3. The Rug Doctor is the next best thing to professional cleaning. The rental option is best if you do not have adequate storage space for your carpet cleaner. The Rug Doctor has earned the highest rating from the Carpet & Rug Institute for soil removal, water removal and gentleness. Note that it only works on the backward stroke. If you purchase it, you get a hose and attachments for cleaning stairs and upholstery along with cleaning formulas. When you rent, everything is rented separately.