With spring finally here, it’s time to let the sun in! That means first making your windows shine.

It seems like a simple task, ridding your windows of all the dust and dirt that has accumulated throughout winter. But anyone who has spritzed cleaner on a window knows how frustrating it can be to get a clear, streak-free view.

Thankfully, we found this great Good Housekeeping article—“6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning Your Windows”— that will make the task infinitely more successful:

Mistake #1: Cleaning your windows on a sunny day. If it’s sunny and hot outside, window-cleaning fluid will dry before you can wipe it off, leaving streaks. Wait for the right day.

Mistake #2: Not removing dirt and dust first. Without removing accumulated detritus from the window, you’re just pushing it around when you try to clean. Before starting, sweep or vacuum dirt from the window. Also, remove dirty window screens and wash them in hot, sudsy water. Pop them back in after they dry.

Mistake #3: Skimping on window cleaner: It takes a fair amount of cleaner to “dissolve and suspend the dirt so it can be completely wiped away,” notes the magazine’s expert. (She recommends using Invisible Glass Cleaner with EZ Grip.)

Mistake #4: Using the wrong material to dry your windows. Forget newspaper or old rags. Instead, use a microfiber cloth or strong paper towels. (Good Housekeeping recommends Bounty Regular.) Also, when drying the windows, wipe one side of the pane horizontally and the other side vertically. That way, if you see streaks, you’ll know which side of the pane they’re on.

Mistake #5: Using a squeegee: As squeegees push cleanser down, it drips and pools, making a mess, particularly on smaller panes. Leave this tricky technique to the professionals.

Mistake #6: Cleaning all your windows in one day. That’s a big job. Break the task up by room and it will be less daunting.