How to Apply, Remove and Reuse Window Clings (No Bubbles)

Static window clings hold on to smooth glass with static cling instead of glue. That means you can slide them into place, take them down, and put them back up next season. Our window clings and rainbow window film are the no-adhesive kind, and these steps work for both.

What you need

• Glass cleaner, or a little dish soap in warm water
• A lint-free cloth or paper towels
• A spray bottle of plain water (or a damp cloth)
• A plastic card for smoothing, like an old gift card

1. Clean the glass well

Clings stick best to clean, smooth glass. Wash the spot and dry it so no streaks, dust or lint are left. Anything trapped under a cling shows up as a bump or a bubble, and dust is the most common reason a cling won't stay up. Textured or frosted glass doesn't give a static cling much to hold on to, so pick a smooth pane.

2. Mist the glass

Spray a light mist of water on the glass or wipe it with a damp cloth. A little water helps the cling grab and lets you slide it around before it settles. A fine film is plenty; you don't want puddles.

3. Put the smooth side against the glass

Peel the cling off its backing sheet and hold it by the edges. Place it with the smooth side toward the glass, which is how our clings are made to go on, and slide it into position.

4. Push out the bubbles

Starting in the middle, press outward toward the edges with your fingers or with the edge of a plastic card wrapped in a soft cloth. Work slowly and push trapped air and water out past the edge. If a big bubble won't budge, lift that side, mist again and lay it back down. Tiny water bubbles usually fade on their own as the water dries.

Big pieces of rainbow window film: measure first and cut the film to size on a flat surface. Mist the glass generously, line up the top edge, then smooth downward in strips. Instructions come in the package, and the listing photos walk through it too.

Taking clings down

Lift a corner with a fingernail and peel slowly. There's no glue, so there's nothing to scrape off the glass afterwards.

Cleaning and storing them to reuse

• Dirty or not sticking? Rinse the cling under water, shake it off and put it back up while it's still damp.
• Store them flat on a backing. Put clings back on their original backing sheet (wax paper works too) so they don't stick to each other or collect lint. Keep them flat in an envelope or folder, away from heat.
• Label your sets. An envelope marked "Halloween" or "Snowflakes" makes switching seasons quick.

A note about birds

Some people put clings on big windows partly so birds notice the glass. A few decals can help a window stand out, but bird groups such as the American Bird Conservancy say real collision protection means markings on the outside of the glass, spaced no more than about 2 inches apart in both directions. So think of decorative clings as decoration first, not a complete bird-safety fix.

Where to put them for the most color

Rainbow clings need direct sunlight to throw colors around the room. See where to put a suncatcher for the most rainbows to pick the best window.