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?
Ammonia isn’t really something some of us try having in our homes; especially with children around. (Cause let’s face it… you could padlock rooms and they’d still figure things out lol) We just use warm water and vinegar for our windows and it works fine.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee , I tryed the window cleaning tonight and my HARD water caused spots !!! help what can be done ??
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Tried this and loved it! Shared with the extended family (in time for spring “after the storms” cleaning)… now if I could just an easy way to get red clay dirt stains out of things ….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use dishwasher detergent and it bleaches really well.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee!
I just read aloud and “showed” my husband this post. We’re impressed and going to try this concoction this weekend. WhoooHooo! Whoever would have believed we’d be excited about cleaning windows!
I have a question though. Can I pour this same solution into spray bottles and use on my interior windows, as well? If so, I was thinking I could use a squeegee to clean them.
I am sooo addicted to your blog! I have made your homemade laundry detergent, homemade fabric softener and this weekend will try this window cleaner…… oh and the (no-rotisserie) rotisserie chicken, too!
Happy weekend to you and your family!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks so much for this recipe – my windows look amazing!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Excellent! Glad you liked. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just tried this. We live in Arizona where the windows are very dirty from blowing dust and dirt and the water is very hard. The water did not all sheet off, so I just gave the windows a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth and they are great looking. Not perfect, but then I don’t require perfect. Must easier that other methods I have tried.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just have to tell you….THIS IS ANOTHER WINNER!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Used this tonight…after work…and my windows, doors, shutters loof FAB! Have about 40+ family coming for Mother’s Day and this certainly sped up outdoor prep for the event! Love your blog, your ‘Good Things’ and your witness! Keep it Up!
Thanks for all you do!!!
I wonder if you could use this to wash your vehicle? Shine with no drying?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used this today!! I was so inspired I even washed my garage door too!! Thanks Jillee another thing off my to do list!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Part of the reason I’m trying homemade cleaners is to go green for myself and the environment. This recipe has too many chemicals for me. I’d love to know the best non-ammonia, non-toxic window cleaner. There are so many variations out there and I wonder which one I should try. Suggestions welcome!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jilee,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do you think I could use my homemade dishwasher (powdered) soap for this?
Maybe where Jet-dry is not available …. the product for car windows called “Rain-X” might work.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.did you ever try the rainx? I would think that would work as well. Be interested to know your results.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee,
This worked MARVELOUSLY! Not even any “muscle power” needed (I did it myself!) but then again, maybe my windows weren’t as dirty as I thought ;-)
Regardless, I am looking through crystal clean windows, and I’d like to thank you! You’re the best!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I would mix this outside and DoN’t breath the fumes: dishwasher soap has chlorine bleach in it and remember what happens when you mix ammonia and chlorox? Very TOXIC chlorine gas which will damage your lungs. Be careful!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.DeAnne,
The dishwashing powder is only Sodium carbonate and silicate. This is just detergent, no bleach :-) Thankfully Jillee specified!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I found your post on Pinterest and tried it out this afternoon. It worked so well! Thanks for sharing this great idea =)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I didn’t have amonnia, so I used vinegar instead, still big “salty looking” streaks. :(
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I read in an article on the internet that Jet Dry is really only acids. Ammonia is an alkali. Alkali react with acid to form a salt and water. So using both in this recipe is pointless. I think the salt that results can produce white spots on the glass. I am going to try some vinegar (acid) and skip the ammonia.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used this today and it worked pretty well. I did have water spots after the windows dried. It took a little Windex and they were gone. Overall, I think it worked pretty well!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love this idea. I’m wondering if anyone has figured out how to do this indoors. Perhaps soak a rag in the solution, wipe on and then wipe off with a wet (water only) rag?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wonder if I can improve on an already good thing? I have an amazing hose attachment that has a wand with a brush at the end and a reservoir for car wash soap. What’s your opinion on using all the ingredients minus the water and using it on the outside of my windows?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for the recipe – I did try it today but had some really fine water spots. I quick wipe with some window cleaning took it right off and the windows are sparkling! I did use water that went through the water softener so I can’t blame it on hard water. Maybe I needed more jet dry?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.ok this is just a question mainly, isn’t water softened with salt, could the spots be residue from that?? I do not have a water softener but my boss used to bring us in water to drink (anyway long story) and it always tasted salty to me
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just found this post through Jillee’s ‘good thing’ for July 20th regarding windows. Windows seem to be my nemesis. Always glad to have new ideas (thanks for doing the legwork, Jillee! You’re awesome) Nicole, we have naturally soft well water and it is just at the upper limit of acceptable sodium content. Yes, soft water is softened with salt, whether naturally or manually. I am challenged when it comes to washing windows because of the salt in our water. I was just pondering how I could use this formula and have it work despite rinsing with our softened water. Will take some experimentation. Maybe one of those fertilizer distribution thingies that you attach to your garden hose with a little rinse aid added to the canister.
I was wondering if the windows will still self dry and be shiny if we are using hard well water (we have a water softner for the inside water). I drive a school bus and asked my hubby to clean the buggy mess off my windshield. Well…… he cleaned it ok, but rinsed it with the hose water and did NOT squeegy it. Good intentions but it was worse than before with white water spots all over. LOL If this works, not only will my house windows sparkle, but I will have the shiniest bus in the lot. LOL
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m going to say no. We don’t have a well but we do have extremely hard water and this recipe/method does NOT dry streak-free here. I’ve tried it 3 times, same result each time. Major bummer!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Not sure if this will help but, I always wash the inside of my windows with about a quart of hot water in a bucket with a splash of ammonia and a few drops of dish soap. I use a rag for scrubbing and then dry with microfiber rags or paper towels.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What I like about this is that I can clean the frames and ledges at the same time.
Thanks so much, Jillee! This looks great and I can’t wait to try it. I have been following you for a few weeks and LOVE your posts! Keep up the great work <3 your tips…
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