There are some cleaning jobs that I really don't mind doing, and then there are windows!

You spend ages getting them lovely and clean, the sun comes out, and suddenly you can see every little streak, smudge and water mark going. Honestly, sometimes I think the sunshine waits until you've finished just to show you what you've missed!

And don't even get me started on shower screens. You can clean one until it looks spotless, only for it to be covered in water droplets again the next time somebody has a shower.

But here's the thing. Getting clean, streak-free windows doesn't have to be difficult. Sometimes it's just a case of changing how you clean them and using the right tools for the job.

So, let's have a look at a few things that can make window cleaning a little less of a chore.

Don't use too much cleaning product

This is an easy mistake to make. You want your windows to be lovely and clean, so naturally you might think a bit more cleaning solution will do a better job.

Not necessarily!

Using too much cleaning product can leave residue behind on the glass, which can show up as streaks once everything dries. You don't need to drench the window in cleaning solution to get a good result.

Use a suitable glass cleaner and follow the instructions on the bottle. The aim is to loosen the dirt and fingerprints without leaving lots of product behind.

And if you're cleaning a particularly dirty window, it's worth removing the loose dirt first rather than trying to clean everything in one go.

Stop wiping the same window over and over again

We've all done it. You wipe the glass, look at it from another angle, spot a mark, wipe it again, and somehow end up making another mark in the process!

A clean glass cloth can help remove fingerprints, smudges and leftover cleaning residue. However, if your cloth is already dirty or soaked with water, you can end up spreading marks around rather than getting rid of them.

I always think it's worth having a proper glass cloth to hand, rather than grabbing whichever old cloth happens to be nearest.

And here's another little tip: don't forget the edges. Water can collect around the window frame and trickle back onto the glass after you've finished, leaving those annoying little lines behind.

Use a window vacuum to collect the water

Now, this is where things get interesting!

One of the biggest frustrations with cleaning windows is dealing with all that water. You wash the glass, wipe it down, and then find yourself chasing drips around the edges or trying to get rid of marks left behind as the water dries.

A window vacuum helps with this by sucking up moisture from the glass and collecting it in a tank, rather than leaving you to wipe away all that water by hand.

We've recently added a Cordless Window Vacuum with Rechargeable Battery to our range, and it's a handy little tool to have around the house.

It has a built-in squeegee that moves across the glass to help clear away moisture, while the vacuum collects the water in its removable 100ml tank.

The best way to think about it is as another step in your window-cleaning routine. Clean the glass first to loosen the dirt, then use the window vacuum to collect the moisture left behind.

That means less water running down the window and fewer drips to chase with a cloth. And anything that saves me from wiping the same bit of glass five times is worth a look!

Why go cordless?

Personally, I like cleaning tools that are straightforward to use. If something takes more effort to set up than the job itself, you can guarantee I'll put it off!

The nice thing about a cordless window vacuum is that you're not restricted by a power cable while working around the house.

The model we've added is rechargeable and provides up to 30 minutes of runtime per charge. It comes with a USB-C charging cable, so you can recharge the built-in battery when needed.

It's compact, too, measuring 29cm long with a 10cm-wide cleaning head. That makes it convenient for everyday jobs around the home without having to get out a large piece of equipment.

It also comes with a glass cloth, giving you another useful tool for your cleaning routine.

It's not just for the windows around your house

When you hear the words window vacuum, you probably picture somebody cleaning the windows in their living room. But there are other places where collecting water from glass can be useful.

Shower screens

If you've got a glass shower screen, you'll know how quickly water droplets and marks can build up. Using a window vacuum after cleaning the screen can help clear away moisture, rather than leaving it to dry on the glass.

It can also be useful for clearing water after a shower, helping you keep on top of everyday droplets before they build up.

Conservatories

Conservatory windows can be a bit of a job, particularly when you've got lots of glass to clean. A cordless tool means you can move around the windows without having to manage a trailing power cable.

Just remember that you'll still need to clean away the dirt first, especially on windows that haven't been washed for a while.

Car windows

Car windows can collect fingerprints, smudges and water marks just like the glass around your home. A compact window vacuum can be useful for collecting moisture when cleaning suitable car glass.

As always, make sure the glass is cleaned properly first and follow the vehicle manufacturer's guidance for cleaning its windows.

What about condensation on windows?

This is another job where a window vacuum can come in handy, particularly when the weather starts getting colder.

You know those mornings when you come downstairs and the windows are covered in condensation? You wipe them down, only to find yourself doing it all again the next day.

Condensation forms when moisture in the air meets a colder surface, such as a window. It's common during colder weather, especially when there's a difference between the temperature indoors and outdoors.

The cordless window vacuum can help collect that moisture from suitable glass surfaces, saving you from repeatedly wiping it away with a cloth.

However, removing the water is only part of the job. If condensation keeps returning, it's worth looking at ways to reduce excess moisture indoors, such as improving ventilation when cooking and showering and making sure damp rooms can air out properly.

You don't want to spend every morning chasing condensation without tackling what's causing it in the first place!

A few little things that make a difference

Before I let you get back to your cleaning, here are a few things worth remembering:

• Choose your moment. Cleaning windows in direct sunshine can make cleaning solution dry too quickly, increasing the chance of streaks. A cooler, overcast day can make the job easier.

• Start with clean glass. A window vacuum helps collect moisture, but it isn't a substitute for removing dirt and greasy marks first.

• Keep your cloth clean. A dirty cloth can spread smudges straight back across the glass.

• Empty the water tank. The window vacuum has a removable 100ml tank, so keep an eye on it and empty it when full.

• Look after your tools. Empty and clean the vacuum as directed by the manufacturer after use, so it's ready for next time.

None of these tips are particularly complicated, but together they can make the job much less frustrating.

So, is a window vacuum worth having?

If you regularly clean windows, shower screens or other glass surfaces, a window vacuum is worth considering. It's particularly useful if you're fed up with water dripping down the glass or having to wipe away excess moisture by hand.

It won't magically remove every bit of dirt without any preparation, and you'll still need a suitable cloth and cleaning solution for the initial clean. But it can make that final stage of collecting the water much easier.

Our new Cordless Window Vacuum with Rechargeable Battery is designed for just these everyday jobs. With its built-in squeegee, removable 100ml water tank and up to 30 minutes of cordless runtime, it's a useful addition to your cleaning kit.

And let's be honest, if there's a way to spend less time chasing streaks around the windows, I'm all for it!

Happy cleaning!