Smear Free Windows

[Jamjar74]

Help, I've tried Mr. Muscle, Windolene, Autoglym, double glazing window cleaner and nothing seems to work they are still smeary. These are windows in a kitchen and where we smoke but have never had this trouble where we lived before.

All suggestions greatfully received.

[teash]

Use vinegar and use newspaper to polish off, and a quick buff up with one of them micro fibre cloths and they should be gleaming

[Bellringer]

Try the stuff used on car windscreens to stop them steaming up. It even keeps the bathroom mirror clear.

[Colortec]

Sounds like your windows have a characteristic called "smoke surfactant latency" . This occurs when the surface of the glass, which contains microscopic pores, loses it ability to readily deal with smoke - at a microscopic level.

The glass will exhibit a 'reluctance' to bond with the particles and oils present in smoke. This manifests itself in the smearing and related problems you have noticed.

The only solution is to replace the window.

[parkesquay]

Godd mixture of answers here. I think I agree with teash in general.
Give your windows a clean with soapy water and then wipe of with clean water. Newspaper is OK but I prefer to use something like paper kitchen towel.
It is just possible, if these are new panes, that there is residual grease from some sort of original covering. To remove this vinegar is OK but you might find that methylated spirits works better.

[benjiesmum]

Just dampened newspaper works for me. Never use products like windolene because they just smear. Also a brand new chamois leather in warm water can work well.