Feng Shui, literally wind and water, is the practice of arranging spaces so that Chi, or energy, flows freely, enhancing all areas of your life. According to this ancient Chinese art, if your windows are dirty thoughts will be muddy and your view of the world unpleasant. When the windows are clean, your vision -- both physical and mental -- will be as well.
Ever hear the line, I don't do windows? There's a reason for the bad rap. Without the proper equipment and technique, it's a terrible chore that leads to aching arms and frustration. After all the sweat and effort, you're left with streaks and smudges and a sore back. Learning to do it properly not only makes the job easier, but you might even find it is fun and certainly more rewarding.
If you watch professional window washers at their craft, you'll notice that they don't use vinegar and old newspapers. They don't make a mess and they don't even sweat. This is because they have the right equipment and they know how to use it. Their primary tool is a good squeegee. This is not the kind you find for 99 cents in the supermarket bargain bin. A professional squeegee is made of tempered brass, costs about $10 and is built to last a lifetime. The handle will hold blades of various sizes and pivots to allow you to reach and clean windows at angles never before possible. A scrub sleeve can be attached and extension poles added to make reaching tall windows much easier.
The first step in professional window cleaning is to vacuum or wash the interior sills and screens to remove cobwebs, bugs and dust and to avoid making mud while washing the glass. Use a stiff toothbrush to work dirt out of crevices. If the exterior sills are dusty, hose them down or use a dry paintbrush to whisk them clean. Set the screens aside until the windows are finished.
There is a veritable plethora of window cleaning solutions on the market. Our favorite is simply clear, non-detergent, non-sudsing ammonia, using two tablespoons per full bucket of cool water. Hot water will evaporate too fast -- before you have time to use that incredible squeegee. A couple drops of liquid dishwashing detergent added to the water will keep the squeegee blade lubricated so it will glide over the glass.
If your windows are tall, wet the scrub sleeve in the solutiona and attach it to the squeegee on an extension pole of an appropriate length. 
For shorter windowns, a sponge with a white scrubby side works well. Squeeze out any excess solution; this is not a baptism. The windows should just be wet enough so it doesn't dry before you finish using the squeegee. Place a folded cloth on the windowsill below the point where the last stroke of the squeegee will end. The cloth will catch any run-off and make drying the sill a snap.
Now you're ready to use the amazing, professional. The secret to this is to wipe it dry between each stroke. Run the squeegee sideways across the top of the window, allowing only about two inches to touch at the very top. Pros calls this cutting the water. This gives you a dry place to start each downward stroke. Apply light pressure as you move the solution toward the sill.
The final step is a swipe across the bottom edge of the window, drawing the cleaning solution toward the cloth that you have placed in the corner of the sill. Wipe the windowsill clean and you're done. For stubborn spots, such as paint, a razorblade held at a low angle works very well.
Gleaming, spot-free windows enhance the quality of light that comes into your home and when done correctly, cleaning them will only take a few minutes. So if you would like to improve the appearance and flow of energy of an entire room in one fell swoop -- wash the windows. From now on, you'll be doing it like a pro.
Lisa Martin is a master housekeeper with Housekeeping Specialists and can be reached at MCDRMTTMCHL@aol.com.
