Back when I first started experimenting with making my own cleaning products, it didn’t take long for me to realize that Windex (or any type of glass and window cleaner) was one of the easiest types of cleaners to replicate at home. While the streak free shine of store-bought glass cleaners may seem like the result of advanced chemical wizardry, creating a great streak free homemade window cleaner is a lot simpler than you might think!
In fact, there are several ways to create an effective DIY window cleaner, and I’ll be sharing a few of the best homemade ones with you in today’s post! More specifically, I’ll be showing you how to make the three following window cleaning solutions:
- Homemade Glass Cleaner – great all-purpose glass cleaner for everyday use
- Non-Toxic Glass Cleaner – non-toxic formula, good for hard water spots and mineral deposits
- Outdoor Window Cleaner – recipe and method for clean, streak-free exterior windows
No matter what type of glass surfaces need cleaning around the house, you’re sure to find the perfect homemade window cleaning solution right here in this post. (And because you skipped the Windex and made it yourself, that’s money, time, and effort saved too!)
#1 – Homemade Glass Cleaner
You’ll need:
- 1 Tablespoon ammonia
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
- 3 drops Dawn dish soap
- Water
- Spray bottle (16 oz)
Directions:
Carefully pour the ammonia, rubbing alcohol, and dish soap into a spray bottle, then fill the remainder of the bottle with water. Screw the spray top onto the bottle, then shake the spray bottle gently to mix.
How It Works
Ammonia and rubbing alcohol are not only effective cleaners in their own right, but they evaporate quickly too, which is crucial to that all-important streak free finish. Adding just a few drops of Dawn dish soap to this glass cleaning formula gives it a boost of grease-cutting power, so that even the greasiest fingerprints and smudges wipe away with ease!
#2 – Non-Toxic Glass Cleaner
You’ll need:
- White vinegar
- Water
- Spray bottle
Directions:
Fill your spray bottle with equal amounts of white vinegar and water, replace the spray top, and shake to combine. (That really is all there is to it!)
How It Works
In addition to containing just two all-natural and non-toxic ingredients, the beauty of this glass cleaner is how effective it is against hard water spots and mineral deposits. It’s perfect for cleaning glass surfaces that are frequently exposed to hard water, like glass shower enclosures and patio doors. To use it, just spray it onto spotty glass surfaces, let it sit for a few minutes to work its magic, then wipe clean.
Keep in mind that this vinegar-based solution doesn’t contain any fast-drying ingredients, so it won’t dry as quickly as the previous solution. After you spray and wipe the window, wipe it again with a clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove any remaining moisture and prevent streaks.
#3 – Outdoor Window Cleaner
You’ll need:
- 2 gallons warm water
- 1/2 cup dishwasher rinse aid
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1/4 cup ammonia
- 1/4 cup dishwasher detergent
- Bucket
- Hose with a sprayer attachment
- Long handled brush or mop
Directions:
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Prepare the window cleaning solution by adding the warm water, rinse aid, rubbing alcohol, ammonia, and detergent to a bucket. Take the bucket outside along with a long handled cleaning brush, like a car wash mop or even a microfiber floor mop.
Before you start cleaning, give the windows a good spray with the hose to remove any surface dirt or grime. Next, dip your brush into the cleaning solution and scrub the windows thoroughly.
When you’re satisfied, spray windows thoroughly to rinse off the cleaning solution. Allow the glass to air dry, or use a squeegee to wipe off any remaining water, and continue around the house until all your windows are clean.
How It Works
Thanks to a combination of standard window cleaning agents like alcohol and ammonia and a couple of surprising dishwashing agents, this homemade window cleaner transforms a somewhat arduous chore into a simple and satisfying process! Even the grimiest outdoor windows are left crystal clear, drying quickly without a trace of spots and streaks.
When I’ve used this solution in the past, my clean windows have dried so quickly that I didn’t even have to bother using a squeegee or paper towels (though that may be one of the rare perks of living in such a dry climate!)
Tips for Streak Free Windows
- Looking for the perfect streak free shine on your windows, mirrors, and glass surfaces? Make sure you do the following:
- Work Top to Bottom. When cleaning windows, mirrors, shower doors, and other glass surfaces, always work from top to bottom to prevent drips and streaks from the top down.
- Give It Time. Give your glass cleaners time to work by spraying them on, then waiting a few minutes before wiping dry with a lint free microfiber cloth.
- Use a Clean Cloth. If your cloth isn’t totally clean (maybe your detergent didn’t get rinsed out all the way or you used fabric softener when you washed it), you’ll likely leave streaks behind. For this reason, you should avoid washing your cleaning cloths with anything that’s greasy or covered in stubborn residues. And skip the paper towels—they’re rarely lint free.
- Clean Windows Early. If you’re planning to wash your windows, be sure to do it early in the morning. The higher the sun gets in the sky, the warmer the windows will get, making them next to impossible to get clean. No matter how good your window cleaner is, a warm window will end up streaky!
What is your favorite glass cleaner?
Instead of white vinegar and water, I prefer my 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol for glass and chrome. Ammonia is also an excellent cleaner for glass, but the SMELL of ammonia knocks you for a loop! I’ll take the smell of vinegar (which I actually LIKE) over the smell of ammonia any day!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.To me, the outdoor cleaner seems like overkill. I use soapy water, a soft brush for cleaning cars, and rinse with water. No drying. It works fine
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This method for cleaning outside windows did not work for me. Lots of streaks. I also kind of freaked when I read the comment about theropane windows. I really hope I have not damaged them permanently.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve seen many cleaning tips, do you have any tips on cleaning screens on an outdoor porch. We have lots of trees and pollen. I have to dust the furniture almost every day.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I Know I’m a bit late to the discussion but what do you all find is easiest for cleaning your window screens. Please, I’m open to any and all suggestions since they are now the big hassle.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve been using the “Homemade Glass And Window Cleaner” since originally posted in 2016. I actually searched Google for “glass cleaner Jillee” so I can make another batch today. I lost the paper it was written on, and I needed to verify the amounts. This is by far the most amazing homemade cleaner I’ve ever used! I’ve even given people slips of paper with http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com “glass cleaner” to search themselves. Jillee should repost her windshield washer fluid recipe since that time of year is upon us. I haven’t bought either type of cleaners in years, and I never will.
One of the things that I like about this cleaner is the ammonia. My Mom smoked in her home for years. Somehow, I realized this glass cleaner helps remove nicotine from all kinds of surfaces. Added bonus for me.
One thing I’ve learned over the years… a friend used to own her own cleaning company. She loves this glass cleaner, as well, and told me if it is too streaky either the towel is too wet, or I need to add a little more alcohol. Neither piece of advice has steered me wrong.
Thank you, Jillee for saving me money and sanity trying to get stuff clean.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wow what a detailed article! Such great tips and tricks I’m sure many people never knew, thank you so much for the information. We are actually a carpet cleaning company
Please log in or create a free account to comment.( https://www.vaughancarpetcleaners.ca/ ) and we work with a lot of window cleaning businesses. There are some tricks in here they told us about, so you definitely know this is professional advice!
I followed the recipe exactly. I have 7 door walls on my three season room. My husband and I worked very hard unfortunately it did not work. The windows looked better before I washed them. I am going back to my sqeegee.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have this bookmarked so I can go back to the recipe each time I want to wash the windows It works for me & I’ve scheduled this chore for this weekend. First I wash the siding, then the windows. I have a small, washable house.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can you tell me the brand name or place where you bought your mop? The handle AND the mop head. I am having a hard time finding something similar. Most of what I see does not look as good as what you have here. Thanks for any info you can give me!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It’s actually a car washing brush! You can find them near car wax at Walmart and similar stores, or you can buy them online :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sorry – don’t know why but this did not work for me. Followed recipe exactly except used drop of Dawn instead of the powdered detergent. There were terrible spots and splotches all over my windows. So happy it worked for everyone else!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This didn’t work for me either. I substituted vinegar for the ammonia which I am not supposed to use on my Windows because of a UV coating they have. Not sure what else I did wrong. I was so excited about trying this – then so disappointed.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Didn’t like it either, dawn and Jet dry much better. Wasted my time
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Michelle,
I have a window cleaning company and can tell you why it didn’t work. A lot of it depends on your TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) in your water. You can buy a TDS meter online to find out what your waters TDS is. Mine is 150 ppm and my folks house is around 50ppm. This means that when you hose down your windows with your hose, even if you use all those chemicals at first, the water you rinse with will cause your windows to spot up with high TDS. Even at 50 TDS it spots up but not as bad as mine at 150. There are other factors that could be causing it to spot up, but then this would be a huge message.
In my opinion, the squeegee or a Water Fed Pole System is the way to go for a streak free cleaning without the use of harsh chemicals. Once you get them done professionally, you’ll notice a huge difference in quality. In these pictures above, I can tell the sun isn’t hitting the windows directly, looks to me it’s in low light, which makes the windows look clean but the challenge is how do they look when the sun hits the window. I’m sure it still looks better then before and will work for many people, but If you like spot free, streak free windows without harsh chemicals, call up your local window cleaning service and check them out.
Good luck to all and if it works for you awesome, but if not try out your local window cleaning company.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You should never shoot water at your windows with the hose.. it will ruin the seals
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have been using a hose for many years without any problems.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So have I. Windex has a great spray that you attach to your hose, first it shoots out a sudsy solution, then you turn a knob for a plain water rinse, the water slides off and the outside of your windows are gleaming. Indoors, I use Windex and wipe dry with a 100% cotton rag, that is cut from an old 100% cotton sheet.
Does anyone know how this works with hard well water? Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have really hard water – it works really well!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I tried this window washing formula over the holiday weekend and the results were crystal clear streak free windows! I did use the liquid dishwasher detergent and I didn’t have any issues. I also used a fresh bucket of cleaner after 3 or 4 windows as my windows were covered with pollen. Thanks Jillee for sharing! What a time saver.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It seems the more windows I washed that it started to leave some spots when the water droplets dried. Is that because the water from the wet window gradually diluted my washing solution, because I know I was picking up that water on my window mop. Also would this solution hurt plants that are planted below the window?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.A large amount of cleaner definitely won’t be good for plants. The problem with droplets might be because of the weather – was it a hot, sunny day?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Anyone have any issues with discoloration on siding/paint?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hmmm, good news travels fast. I saw this last week and only this morning, while chatting in the Sam’s Club checkout line, a nice lady told me she had used it and had great success. After trying the VERY expensive Windex window washing kit, she reused the Windex gadgets but with this cleaning solution, at a fraction of the cost.
My husband cringes when I talk to perfect strangers in public places. But, hey, you never know who knows what and I’ve learned all sorts of things. I repaid the nice lady in the checkout line by sharing the formula for clothing stain remover: two parts hydrogen peroxide, one part Blue Dawn. I even remembered to tell her to label any leftover solution. The hydrogen peroxide bleaches out the blue in the Blue Dawn, leaving you to puzzle over where on Earth your stain remover went to and where this mysterious clear liquid came from.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.PLEASE TELL ME WHAT IS “jET-DRY”? I NEVER HEARD ABOUT THAT PRODUCT.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.http://www.finishdishwashing.com/products/enhancers/jet-dry/jet-dry-turbo-dry/
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jet-Dry is a rinse aid! Rinse agents help your dishwasher rinse away residue that causes spots and film on dishes and glasses. It’s designed to lower the surface tension of the water, causing it to sheet off the dishes during the final rinse. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.And now we use the pods that seem to have three components. Could you just dissolve one of these in the hot water?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t see why not!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I absolutely hate using squeegees to clean windows and so I am so glad that I came across this post. However, I have never heard of someone using powdered dishwasher soap before to do the cleaning. Is there a reason why you use the powdered version instead of the liquid type?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I tried this yesterday, and it looks great! Like so many, I did not have exactly all the ingredients, but made due. I used dishwasher liquid soap in little pods, I just cut them open first. I did not have ammonia, but used half a bottle of
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Windex with ammonia. I was skeptical at first and actually squeegee the first window, but then resolved to give it a try. I have had professional window cleaners do my windows, and this is just as clean! Seriously.
I am from England what is Jet Dry please
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jet-Dry is a rinse aid! Rinse agents help your dishwasher rinse away residue that causes spots and film on dishes and glasses. It’s designed to lower the surface tension of the water, causing it to sheet off the dishes during the final rinse. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Be careful if you have thermopane Windows. The ammonia adversely affects the gas in between the two layers of glass and could cause the seal to fail leaving you with clouded Windows that need to be replaced. This happened to me and the Anderson window representative told me to never use ammonia!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I had my windows cleaned professionally one year and they shared their secret which is very easy and only one ingredient with water. A couple squirts of dawn and warm water, about 2-4 Cups. Wash window down with a rag and squeegee a strip top to bottom of window. Using an old towel, wipe the squeegee after each swipe down the window. Not much elbow grease is needed. The squeegee does the “work”! Happy spring!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.WISHFUL THINKING MIGHT BE FUN..
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I normally use Vinegar and it really works
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Mary, I, too, found that vinegar and water work the very best on windows as well as my glass coffee table and end tables.
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