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 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.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee.. Help please. Used your recipe several times. Awesome. We live on the bay on the gulf coast of Florida and this has been terrific. However, My husband wanted to surprise me while I was away. Do all men think, if a little is good, more is better? He had your recipe printed up. Added too much dawn soap, he said, and frankly not sure what else. I ave terribly streaked Windows. Spent today scrubbing with a brush .. Helped some but, still pretty coated. Any suggestions.? Was thinking of using straight vinegar or proxide or maybe ammonia? I can actually feel the costing on the glass as I scrub. Omg, I do need help.. Please and thank you so much… Angela
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My front glass door looked horrible and I used a microfiber cloth and straight vinegar on it. Looks like there isn’t any glass there at all now it’s so clean. I would probably start by power washing the Windows then going over it with vinegar and squeegee. I’m not a fan of all the chemicals in her recipe above.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I agree. Too many chemicals especially if you have plants or grass under your windows.
Sorry to say but it is sad that you are spraying all of those chemicals outside your home with the over-spray going into the soil and affecting beneficial insects.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Please read what is in the Cascade, never mind the Jet dry!!!
You can simply use a green friendly microfiber cloth with water only and get the same effect.
Shiny and beautiful and chemical free.
Please think of the environment …….we only have one planet to live on.
Will any of these items harm the plants/bulbs I have growing below some of the windows?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I was wondering the same thing. I doubt you would have problems if you used only a small amount of Dawn dish soap and water (as another person recommended). I also agree with the Dana Ashton (above your posting) who said the chemicals could most definitely harm the beneficial insects in the environment… which, if harmed, would eventually have a detrimental effect on your plants!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I would, as they might need washing next year!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It looks like you are working in the sun. Does that dry the windows quickly so they don’t streak or will the sun cause them to streak?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t use ammonia at all — can’t deal with the smell, etc. Is there something else that works as well in DIY recipes for cleaning?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I tried this last summer when I found it on Pinterest. I even bought the same mop. I didn’t have wonderful results however although the whole procedure took very little time. I washed the glass panels of my deck. I’m going to try the Norwex cloths next. I’m always looking for easier ways to wash windows
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Does anyone know how to clean the outside of your windows when you have screens that don’t appear to be removable?? The glass is so nasty on the outside!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Not sure what Jet Dry is not heard of it in UK, can anyone advise please?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You use it in your dishwasher to keep your dishes from spotting.
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.Jill,yours is the only blog I follow,it’s GREAT,has sooooooooooo many tried and true tips,I love it and constantly forwarding to my FB friends and I print up so much good stuff,I keep a big folder full of the stuff I print from your blog and website,so thank you for having a wonderful blog to follow!!!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you so much Gail!! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Looking forward to trying this. Question: Do you think I could substitute Oxiclean Powder for the powdered dishwasher detergent? I only use liquid and I hate to buy it for ~ 1/4 cup. Thanks. Very much enjoy your blog!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m going to try this too! I live in the woods in north Georgia, so lots of spider webs and pollen right now. And I don’t have a dishwasher. I’m heading to the Dollar Tree and buying some dishwasher soap. Then, it’s only a dollar and I won’t feel bad about throwing away the rest if I can’t find another use for it (or just save it for next time).
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hey Catherine,
Thanks for responding. That was my thought too, to “hit” the dollar store. Buy way if I already have a product in my home. Hey Jilliee…..what are your thoughts?????
does anyone know if this is ok for plants? I have shrubs planted right under the windows so I’m worried that the runoff would harm them. Anyone tried it and know?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The grass under my windows has never been affected :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love the linen spray and woke up to mote snow than we had all winter! So will add window cleaner to my evergrowing pile of lovely homemade products. PS: May I borrow your hubster? I will return him.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hahaha! He is pretty handy… :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jill, this doesn’t have anything to do with window washing, I just wanted to know about the window treatment that you use for your bay windows.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have had this pinned for a very long time and finally got around to trying this method a couple of weeks ago. It was awesome! I live in FL and have very hard water. The pollen was horrendous this year, but we can see out of the house now-I didn’t realize how bad they were! :-( I’ve even told countless people about it, and I’ve sent the recipe on to many. It made my Spring Cleaning list a little less daunting! Thanks! Check your site everyday for the marvelous tips!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.So glad to help Sue!! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I was all excited about this went out and bought the microfiber thing and everything else needed to try this out. Did not work for my window and I do not have hard water. It left spots all over. I also broke the seal on my window, I must have hit the edge where the silicone is or something so now I have fog on the inside that will not go away. Epic fail for me. Hope it gets better for you :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Any ideas for cleaning windows on a two level home?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I think soft water is the clue here. If you are fortunate enough to have it, this recipe most likely works well.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Those of us with hard water fight rust and other chemicals that are very hard to deal with. Thanks anyway. It was fun to know about.
I have really hard water, and it works great for me! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Yahooooo!! I have 4 sets of sliding glass doors and cannot wait to try this !! Thanks so much.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh woe. I have just figured out what is wrong with my life and the scruggy looking windows are not the issue at all. I NEED A HUBSTER! that’s the ticket! Anyone know where to shop for hubsters? HELP!
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