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 use white distilled vinegar in my dishwasher instead of Jet Dry. Perhaps it would also work in the window cleaning solution.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just curious! Does this cleaner have any effects on plants growing under the windows as you wash it off?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When I originally tried this method I didn’t have any nice plants under my windows so I didn’t have to worry too much, but I’m assuming that this combo of ingredients would probably be hard on plants. I found a suggestion in the comment section of this post about the same method: http://www.madefrompinterest.net/2013/05/magic-clean-windows/ to cover your plants in a tarp. That might be a good option!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This sounds great for really dirty windows. I use car windshield wiper fluid in a spray bottle. Works really great inside and out. No streaking and you can buy about a gallon on sale for a little more than a dollar. No streaks, great shine, just spray on outside windows and hose off, or wipe down windows inside.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sounds great might have to try this when it warms up.Will this hurt plants that might be planted under your windows? Husband might be upset after spending all this money on plants then have them die from a “home” cleaner.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I would definitely be careful about getting it on your plants.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This did not work for me. I followed the instructions to a T and it left a film on my windows. Very disappointing since I made the hubby run to the store for the alcohol.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I wish I could try this but being on the 9th floor of an apartment building makes it impossible :(
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What do you think about using this for washing the car?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love the idea of this. But I cringe at the idea of all those chemicals running off into the yard, garden, groundwater, etc. I wonder if there’s a way to get a similar effect with more eco-friendly ingredients?
*wheels turning*
It looks completely amazing!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Did this solution burn your lawn or plants that are underneath the windows? I am interested in trying it (when the weather turns a corner) but I’m worried about the solution burning the leaves on plants. Just curious. :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do you think this would be good for solar panels?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Pat I’ll be honest, I literally know nothing about solar panels so I’m really not sure. Maybe try googling how to clean solar panels to see if any of the ingredients here would be harmful to them.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Did this yesterday and it worked perfectly!!! We can’t stop commenting on how beautifully clean the windows are and how easy and quick it was to do. The only change we made was subbing 1/4 cup white vinegar for the ammonia. Thanks for posting this and making a dreadful chore actually fun!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I sometimes come accross your blogs somtimes, and I take the time to read :-) First off, for any of the single women .. Ill be happy to be your husband and clean your windows for you :-) hehe.. Anyway, I own a window cleaning company here in NC .. And some of the cities have really bad hard water, in some cases using the squeege is really the only other option. I have one or twice used this type method for consumers who dont want to pay full price for our service, mainly when it comes to windows with grids on the outside of the glass, rather than using a small squeegee on every little window pane I have done this, or something close anyway..
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I saw where some where asking a few questions , so actually thought I would post a response, just for the hard water spots and dirty water left after drying. First if you are going to use the Jet Dry, its better to actually use in the rinse not in the solution you are actually washing the windows with.. bc all your doing is using hard water to rinse off the jet dry as well. Use a soap container or somthing like this that you can replace with water and Jet Dry and attach it to your hose.. Or and this is what I have done… Get one of those pest control sprayers that you hand pump pressure into, and mix distilled water and Jet Dry in with that into the sprayer, These sprayers will actually spray a stream of water up to 20 feet or more.. and the sprayer only cost about 8 bucks from Home Depo or Walmart or something.
Someone mentioned “I cant remember who” that they had hard water stains or spots already on there windows, and was wondering if they needed to just replace the windows.. The awnser is NO, dont do that lol… These are actually pretty simple to get out , again from a lowes or home Depo, There are products for removing this.. But for complete results for something like this you need to use a polish just for this that all of us professional window cleaners use, you will find it in the window cleaning section in these store I mentioned for about $5 .. I use Ettore Hard Water Stain Remover, for me its been the best, where even a razor scraper wouldnt get things off.. one last thing and Ill leave you guys be :-) .. But if you rinse your windows with hard water and leave it there, after months and years of sun and weather, these stains become etched into the glass, and with out these hard water removers it wont come out… Left even longer and it will deform your glass.. Ok I think I am done .. I dont normally post things so this was kinda fun, and Jill your stuff is great ;-) love looking in on your site from time to time.
What is a good (and easy) way to clean window screens? Thanks for any advice.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.i didn’t think we were supposed to use ammonia on our low e windows. i have tried everything to get rid of hard water spots on our windows but nothing works. new windows maybe.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How could I do this in a condo on 24th floor? We don’t have hoses.up here. Thanks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hmmmm….I’m not quite sure. To be honest I would probably not worry about washing the outside of my windows if I lived on the 24th floor. I’d say the only way you’d be able to do it is if you could somehow take the glass out of your window.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I plan to use this now that I have read what I can replace for ‘jet dry’ but where alcohol is concerned I oresume you mean rubbing alcohol but can I substitute any white alcohol for it i.e. vodka?…..I know that’s a bit over the top but my wondows need a good clean.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do you have any other method of washing the outside windows, these are supplies that I normally don’t have and find it funny to purchase dishwasher soap and get dry when I make my own, however would love a streak free without having to whip down my windows.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just used this recipe but left out the dishwasher soap since I don’t even have a dishwasher. I did by an off brand of jet dry just for this recipe. I suspect it is the key ingredient for the streak free rinsing.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It worked beautifully, I did find on key was to be sure to rinse well. The first couple of windows I did have a few spots, but I suspect I simply didn’t rinse well enough.
The poor birds have been flying into my windows for a few days now since they are so clean!
I just used this formula earlier today & had dirty streaks where the water dried. Did I do something wrong? (We live in north Texas where it is hot & windy).
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just got done trying this and it did NOT work. Streaks & water spots everywhere so of course I had to redo by hand. If it sound too good to be true it usually is!!!!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.agreed. did not work for me either.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We have wall to wall, floor to ceiling windows on two floors of our ranch walk-out. I am only 5’1″, so scrubbing these windows is normally quite the chore! I made this recipe today, but didn’t have powdered detergent . All I did was replace the commercial dish det with a homemade recipe I found: 2T Borax + 2T baking soda. It worked like a charm! We had so much fun cleaning, the kids actually took over! A million thanks! This one’s a keeper!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I forgot to add…as I’m always writing ‘recipes’ down, using them and then losing them I decided I wanted to keep this one safe. I wrote it down, put in it a zip lock bag and taped it to the gallon jug I’ve stored this magic formula in. A safe place I’d say.
CHEERS, CC
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have found out that I just write all these cleanings formulas in a little sprial notebook by my computer drawer. Then I never loose them … And they are close at hand…..
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can not tell you how thrilled I am with your recipe for clean/sparkling windows. Yesterday I broke down, mixed it up and got down to business.
We have 3 large windows in our tiny home. Living room, kitchen and dining area…oh and a small one in the bathroom. I decided if that stuff cleans the outside so well I’d used it on the inside as well. I protected the sills with rags, sprayed on water, sprayed on you magic formula, scrubbed, sprayed on water and wiped dry with my $.99 store coffee filters….SUCCESS!!!!
This morning, over coffee, we saw 3 birds fly into the living room window (thankfully only dazed), now that is a sign of crystal clear windows.
CHEERS, CC
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Coffee filters hey? Is that what I’m missing out on to get a final streak free shine? I’ll try that CC.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Newspapers work just as well. And they are extremely cheap.
I tried this myself today and cleaned all the outside windows of my house including some high bay windows. I am extremely happy with the result and my windows are sparkling. Way to go on this recipe! I have to admit that my neighbor just cleaned his windows two weeks ago and it took him two whole days. I did it in approx 3 hours. Thanks for the advice!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wow! I can’t wait to try this. I have almost forty windows and it’s a two story house (three on the back), so I guess I can wait. But your post looks inspiring. I found you on Pinterest.
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