Use a dry cotton towel instead of paper towels or newspaper. Many smudges can simply be wiped off with a clean, dry towel, but if the smudge is greasy, spray it with window cleaner, then wipe off with a dry towel. There's no need to clean an entire window just to remove a smudge or two.

Use a plain isopropyl window-cleaner spray. Inexpensive packets of window-cleaning concentrate (figure A) are now available in many stores. These are economical and with so little packaging, they're also easy on the environment.

Use a razor-blade scraper to remove paint, glue or adhesive from windows and mirrors (figure B). Wet the surface first, then scrape in one direction to avoid scratches.

To properly use a squeegee, first add just a drop or two of dish soap to a bucket of warm or cold water, wet a sponge or window wand and wipe the surface to be cleaned. Then, holding the squeegee at an angle against the top edge of the window, pull it across the window, creating a dry strip across the top of the window (figure C). Wipe the squeegee dry, then place the rubber edge horizontally against the window in the dry strip and pull down to the bottom edge. Wipe the squeegee dry before each swipe.