This easy homemade window cleaner leaves glass streak-free and sparkling clean every time. With 36 windows in our house, I need something that works quickly, cleans thoroughly, and doesn’t cost a lot. So, I created a DIY version to get the job done right the first time.
Homemade Window Cleaner Recipe
This streak-free window cleaner is cost effective, yet it works well. You can use it on any glass surface, including glass shower doors. Try spraying it onto rags or paper towels to polish picture fronts and knickknacks. It cleans and shines ceramic and porcelain tile, too. But, since it contains vinegar, it is not for use on granite or natural stone surfaces. For those, try my homemade granite cleaner instead.
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Materials and equipment
- 70% Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
- White vinegar
- Liquid dish soap
- Spray bottle
- Squeegee
- Microfiber cloth, towel, or lint-free rags
Ingredients
- 1 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 3 drops dishwashing liquid
Instructions
- Add the rubbing alcohol and vinegar to the spray bottle and shake together well.
- Add the dishwashing liquid and gently swirl to combine.
- Spray the glass, then scrub it with a microfiber cloth to loosen grime.
- Spray a second time, and draw the squeegee’s rubber strip down the window in a smooth stroke.
- Wipe the blade and repeat.
- Use a clean microfiber cloth or towel right away to dry any drips on the ledge or sill.
Storage
If you want to store the unused portion, keep it in a cool, dark place beyond the reach of kids and pets. Since this homemade window cleaner recipe contains rubbing alcohol, do not store or use it near open flames or in direct sunlight.
What Ingredients are Best for Window Cleaning?
If windows only got coated with dirt and pollen, a strong spray of water would get them clean. But windows also develop city grime. This is the product of smog and other airborne particles. When water interacts with city grime, it can make the mess cling harder. That’s why you’ll still find dirt on your windows after heavy rain.
A little dish soap
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We’re using dish soap in this window cleaner recipe because it has additional grease-fighting properties. Soap contains fatty substances that encapsulate greasy dirt particles, making them easier to rinse away. But the amount of soap matters, so don’t just squirt it in—too much will leave streaks.
Plain distilled white vinegar
Vinegar helps dissolve things like bird droppings and dead bugs on windows. It’s roughly 5% acidity and works fine in this recipe—there’s no need to buy a pricey “cleaning vinegar.” Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is not a good substitute in this homemade glass cleaner because it contains pectin, a form of soluble fiber. On shiny surfaces like glass and windows, pectin causes streaks.
Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a solvent that works in combination with the vinegar to dissolve grime on your windows. It also speeds up evaporation, which helps avoid leaving streaks. In the United States, it’s sold in the First Aid section of stores. In the UK, it’s known as “surgical spirits” and is available wherever you’d buy plasters or bandages.
Isopropyl comes in various strengths, ranging from 70% to 90%, depending on its water content. The higher the percentage, the less water it contains and the faster it will evaporate. You would need to work very fast to avoid leaving streaks while using 90% in this recipe. I stick with 70% for that reason.
Tips to Clean Windows and Glass
Here are some techniques to help you avoid leaving streaks on windows, no matter what glass cleaning product you use.
Choose the right weather for window cleaning
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It’s best to plan your window-cleaning for an overcast, non-windy day. Warmth from direct sun will cause the glass cleaner to evaporate before it dissolves the dirt, so you’ll wind up with streaky windows still coated with grime. Working on a cloudy day is one of the best ways to clean windows without streaking.
Work in one direction on each side
If you are cleaning both sides of a window, work the squeegee in opposite directions on each side. Try cleaning top to bottom on the outside of windows and left to right on the inside so you can easily identify which side has any streaks. If you can’t open the window, try these steps to fix stuck windows before you clean them.
Try a pinch of cornstarch
For very grimy windows, add a small pinch of cornstarch to your cleaning solution. When added to homemade glass cleaner, cornstarch provides mild scrubbing power without relying on harsh chemicals to lift away stubborn residue. Since this recipe contains vinegar, baking soda is not a suitable replacement.
Use a spray bottle not a bucket
Professional window cleaners typically use a bucket of water with a few drops of dish soap. They also have to dump out and refill their bucket often, because any dirt in the mixture will leave streaks on the window. When you’re using a homemade window cleaning solution, it’s easiest to work with a spray bottle and squeegee so you don’t have to worry about dirt getting into the mix.
Scrub then squeegee
After applying glass cleaner, scrub the window and then use a squeegee to dry it quickly. I use this window cleaning tool that has both scrubbing and squeegee sides and attaches to any universal extension pole to make cleaning tall windows much easier. Also, be sure to wash your scrubber and squeegee blade after you’ve finished cleaning your windows, and make sure they’re dry before you put them away.
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Recipe
