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?
I tried this yesterday using just the Jet Dry (4 oz.) 1 TBSP of Dawn dish soap, and a gallon of water. It worked. No need for all of that ammonia, alcohol etc. It’s the Jet Dry that does the sheeting action. I used the Dawn just to get the dirt off. No chalky spots anywhere. Make sure you hose the window off first, wash well and rinse well. Don’t clean your windows in direct sunlight. Do it on a cloudy or overcast day.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great post! Been reading a lot about window cleaning. Thanks for the info here!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The dirty window you pictured could have been mine. I want to wash them if the dang weather would behave. Anywho…Thanks for the recipe. It will come in handy soon…I hope.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I washed my windows the other day and they looked pretty good, until the sun hit them. Initially I thought that I didn’t rinse them enough. So I re-rinsed them. They dried again with a haze. Any suggestions?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can this solution be used in a pressure washer? THanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great post! Been reading a lot of info on window cleaning. Thanks for the info!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.JUST FINISHED THIS. The results are unbelievable! I would have done this sooner had I know. Thank you!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Is this safe for plants below the windows?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What is JET DRY? Can we find this in Australia?
I used this on my windows, and when I say “I don’t do windows” I mean it. But this is so perfect I guess I will do windows. My mom wants me to do her’s now. THANKS for that. I also tried it on my Harley. Now I’m kind of a nut about my bike, but I gave it a shot. I rinsed the bike good, washed it with a soft cloth, and then I bler most of the water off with the leaf blower, as I always do and it came out great. Had a couple spots that I ran a dry cloth over, but it came out great for a quick was. (Like I said, I’m a bit do a nut about my bike). The only thing I would say about using it on the bike is that I am concerned about the drying effect of the alacahol, so I won’t use it every time I wash the bike, but it looked so good and was only have the time and work. Thank you for posting.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sounds totally toxic to humans, animals, and everything else it touches outdoors.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Where do you live? This is probably working because you have a low tds reading in your area. Which means your water is so clean you could use anything and rinse it and it will dry clean.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Read thru most of the comments, but not all. Has anyone made this in a smaller quantity where you can use it in a spray bottle and keep it for awhile? Thanks in advance for ANY help with this!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is a really handy tip and looks at though it will work well. I’ve got a huge area of outdoor windows to tackle this weekend and this tip will make it a cinch! Thank you for sharing this.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.not sure if this site is affiliated with yours http://myhoneysplace.com/homemade-streak-free-window-cleaner/ but they used your recipe verbatim and your pictures too :(
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What brand of pole and microfiber mitt? We are having trouble finding one we like. Yours looks very sturdy. I used it and squeegeed since we have hard water.
Used it inside as well and by accident found it washes our professional grade ceramic tile which has grimed up from day one–had forgotten what the original tile color was ;) Am trying it out on the whole house now.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I bought a microfiber “mitt” at the dollar store and stuck it on the end of my Swiffer. I also used a sponge mop. Both worked equally well.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Used this today. Amazing results! So glad I found this. Saved me $300 over using a professional service. Amazing, thank you thank you!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How long do the windows stay like this?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sorry gang, this formula does not work if you have really hard water. I still had dried water spots so I had to squeegee. Best formula if you have to squeegee is just 1 cup of ammonia and two drops of Dawn in 2 gallons of water.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This was amazing! The windows look brand new! Thanks so much!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can liquid dishwasher soap be used instead of powder soap?
Thanks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Ron
Any idea how to do this for 2nd story windows? There is much less of a chance of getting this done if the ‘big ladder’ has to be pulled out because I would need my husbands help…. Thanks for the recipe!
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