9 Things You Never Knew You Could Do With Windex

When it comes to cleaning windows, mirrors, and glass, nothing leaves behind a streak-free shine like Windex. But you might be surprised to find out just how many other ways you can put that blue bottle of window cleaner to work around the house!

A collage of Windex uses: treat upholstery stains, fix a stuck zipper, and polish your fixtures.

In today’s blog post, I’ll be sharing 9 unexpected uses for Windex. From cleaning up your car to treating upholstery stains, fixing zippers, and even killing ants, these Windex uses prove this glass cleaner is actually a multi-purpose workhorse!

9 Windex Uses You Should Try ASAP

Use Windex on a sock to clean your dirty car cup holders.

1. Clean Your Cupholders

Got gunk in your car’s cupholders? With the help of a little Windex, you can clean them out in a flash! Start by pulling an old (clean) sock over the bottom of a cup that fits in your cup holder.

Spray the sock with Windex, put the cup in the cupholder, then press down and twist. The Windex will help cut through the grime and the sock will grab onto the mess, leaving your cupholders squeaky clean!

Use Windex to unstick a zipper -- it won't leave any greasy or oily residue behind.

2. Fix A Zipper

Struggling with a particularly stubborn stuck zipper? Spritz a little Windex on the area. It will help lubricate the zipper so you can pull it free, but it won’t leave behind any gooey or greasy residues.

Use Windex and vinegar to kill and repel ants.

3. Kill Ants

Does Windex kill ants? Yes, it does! If you combine equal parts vinegar and Windex in a spray bottle and spray it in areas where you’ve spotted ant activity, the Windex will kill the ants while the smell of the vinegar will help deter other ants that may be hanging out in the area.

Use Windex on your kitchen floor to make heavy appliances easier to slide.

4. Move Heavy Appliances

The next time you need to slide your oven or fridge a few inches, grab your bottle of Windex first! Spray it liberally onto the floor in front of your appliance, which will help it slide along the floor with much less effort on your part. (Only recommended for Windex-safe surfaces — we’ll go over those near the end of this post!)

You can use Windex to clean and polish patent leather shoes.

5. Shine Patent Leather

Windex doesn’t just add shine to windows and mirrors—you can also use it to restore shine to patent leather! Just spray some Windex onto a soft lint-free cloth and wipe it over the surface to leave it clean and shiny.

Related: How To Clean And Care For Leather Shoes

Stained white boards are no match for Windex.

6. Clean A Whiteboard

When erasing marker from a whiteboard, sometimes an eraser alone just won’t cut it! If the eraser is leaving behind marker residue, use Windex to cut through it then wipe the board clean with a soft, clean cloth.

Use Windex to clean and polish your plumbing fixtures.

7. Make Fixtures Sparkle

After cleaning the metal fixtures in your bathroom and kitchen, spray a clean, dry cloth with Windex and use it to shine your fixtures. You won’t believe how clean and shiny your fixtures look after a quick wipe with Windex!

Use Windex to treat stains on upholstery.

8. Remove Stains

If you happen to have the colorless/clear variety of Windex on hand, it makes a useful stain remover for both clothing and upholstery! Spray it onto the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse the stain thoroughly before washing or drying.

Related: This Is My “Ultimate Stain Remover” For A Reason

You can use Windex to clean your jewelry and give it back its sparkle.

9. Clean Jewelry

One of my favorite Windex uses is occasional deep cleaning treatments that help keep jewelry clean and shiny! Just soak your jewelry in Windex for a minute or so to loosen any gunk or grime, then use a soft brush to scrub it away. Rinse well with clean water, then dry the jewelry thoroughly before wearing or storing.

BONUS: What Surfaces Can I Use Windex On?

Ammonia-free Windex is safe to use on mirrors, glass, chrome, stainless steel, plastic, and vinyl surfaces. If there’s one surface you shouldn’t use Windex on, it’s wood — it can cause wood to dry out and eventually crack, which is not what you want!

Looking For More Posts Like This?

Do you have any favorite uses for Windex that aren’t listed here?

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Jill Nystul Photo

Jill Nystul (aka Jillee)

Jill Nystul is an accomplished writer and author who founded the blog One Good Thing by Jillee in 2011. With over 30 years of experience in homemaking, she has become a trusted resource for contemporary homemakers by offering practical solutions to everyday household challenges.I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

About Jillee

Jill Nystul

Jill’s 30 years of homemaking experience, make her the trusted source for practical household solutions.

About Jillee

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31 Comments

  1. Great ideas. I’ll have to remember the ring one. My mom had to recently remove her wedding rings for surgery. It wasn’t an easy task. I’ll have to remember to tell her this.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  2. These are all great uses for windex. One that I use a lot is when you have rings that are tight and you can’t get them off your finger easily. Spray with windex and they slip right off. Thanks for all the great ideas. I really enjoy your blog and all your ideas.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  3. Wow! I never think that i can make so many awesome things with windex,now i think i can use it at my cleaning company Merent to offer something new to my clients. Thank you for this great article. Keep doing this nice work.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  4. When I was a child I drew a picture on my bedroom wall, that was painted, using crayons. Mom brought me the Windex and some paper towels & told me, “Now, CLEAN!” & just like that, with a little elbow grease, my mural was gone!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  5. My jeweler uses Windex to help customers remove their rings. Squirt it on your finger, wiggle-wiggle and the ring slides off much more easily

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  6. Windex to help move appliances .. BRILLIANT! I have a stacked washer dryer on a tile floor and that beast is heavy! It’s a grouted tile floor so I may have a bit of challenge in the transition across tiles but this is still worth a try. Thank you SO much!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  7. 1. Windex on your finger will get that too-tight ring right off.
    2. I spilled nail polish on carpet, windex took it right out.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  8. Have you seen the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”? I love the idea of using Windex to treat zits! What do you think?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  9. I use a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water to wash produce. That works pretty well to kill and discourage ants. No Windex needed.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  10. Hi here is my Windex idea:
    I use it to kill flying bugs like flies. Instead of using a fly swatter I spray the fly or bee with windex . The weight of the spray on their wings causes them to fall and you can swipe them up with a paper towel. No more gross unsanitary fly spatters or bug guts on the window or counter. Works like a charm. Everyone who see me do it always adopts the idea.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  11. NetFlix suggests using a fluid like Windex on DVD’s when they are skipping or freezing. It works.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  12. I use Windex for much of the suggestions below with the exception of windows and mirrors. I found something that works and doesn’t streak at all. It’s called Sprayway and comes in a can and sprays out foam. It works wonders — no streaking — ammonia free if you have solar film on your windows and less then $3/can. I can use it on kitchen stainless steel appliances as well.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  13. One more Windex trick: If you’ve got a pesky housefly buzzing around, a spray of Windex will knock it out.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Yes it will Wanda. You can use a soft cloth or a soft bristled brush… maybe an old toothbrush.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  14. We learned at the jewelry store while trying on wedding rings that if you spray your finger with Windex it helps to remove the stubborn piece.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Meaning a too tight size of ring. Oops sorry I wasn’t clear.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
      • Works very well, I once advised a friend to try Windex to remove a tight ring but she decided to go to the ER. Guess what they did? Windex.

      • No, please tell me you are kidding. The misuse of the ER is one of the reasons health care costs are escalating. They are not places to treat things like that. Wow….

  15. I need to clean my refrigerator coils and don’t want to scratch up my hardwood flooring pulling the fridge out. Your suggestion to spray windex on the floor is definitely one I’ll give a whirl. Also will give my rings a cleaning. Thanks for all the suggestions Jillee.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  16. This article reminds me of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”…I wonder how many of the skin remedies using Windex presented in the movie actually work.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • I was just going to post the same thing!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • That’s so funny, Terry, I thought about that movie as I wrote this post. :-)

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  17. I use it to remove my tight wedding rings when needed. It helps them slide over my knuckles. Learned this trick at a jewelry store.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
      • Years ago I had to go to the ER when my ring finger swelled up due to my arthritis. I tried everything at home and when I got to the hospital they first thing tried was spraying my finger with Windex. I couldn’t believe it. For me unfortunately it didn’t work, but it’s the first thing I reach for now when I have an issue with a too tight ring.

    • I learned this trick from a jeweler,too! It’s what they recommend and actually used it on me when we were there looking at rings. We were about to have our 50th anniversary and my husband wanted to buy me a new ring. It worked like a charm and I’ve had to use it at home a few times since.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  18. My favorite: spray it on a mosquito bite for instant relief!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  19. Thanks Jillee! Who would have thought to use Windex for all these things listed here. The only thing I’ve used it for that you didn’t mention was quick in between bathroom touch ups for sink tops and toilet seats etc. Clever ideas here!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.

Leave a Comment

31 Comments

  1. Great ideas. I’ll have to remember the ring one. My mom had to recently remove her wedding rings for surgery. It wasn’t an easy task. I’ll have to remember to tell her this.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  2. These are all great uses for windex. One that I use a lot is when you have rings that are tight and you can’t get them off your finger easily. Spray with windex and they slip right off. Thanks for all the great ideas. I really enjoy your blog and all your ideas.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  3. Wow! I never think that i can make so many awesome things with windex,now i think i can use it at my cleaning company Merent to offer something new to my clients. Thank you for this great article. Keep doing this nice work.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  4. When I was a child I drew a picture on my bedroom wall, that was painted, using crayons. Mom brought me the Windex and some paper towels & told me, “Now, CLEAN!” & just like that, with a little elbow grease, my mural was gone!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  5. My jeweler uses Windex to help customers remove their rings. Squirt it on your finger, wiggle-wiggle and the ring slides off much more easily

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  6. Windex to help move appliances .. BRILLIANT! I have a stacked washer dryer on a tile floor and that beast is heavy! It’s a grouted tile floor so I may have a bit of challenge in the transition across tiles but this is still worth a try. Thank you SO much!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  7. 1. Windex on your finger will get that too-tight ring right off.
    2. I spilled nail polish on carpet, windex took it right out.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  8. Have you seen the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”? I love the idea of using Windex to treat zits! What do you think?

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  9. I use a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water to wash produce. That works pretty well to kill and discourage ants. No Windex needed.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  10. Hi here is my Windex idea:
    I use it to kill flying bugs like flies. Instead of using a fly swatter I spray the fly or bee with windex . The weight of the spray on their wings causes them to fall and you can swipe them up with a paper towel. No more gross unsanitary fly spatters or bug guts on the window or counter. Works like a charm. Everyone who see me do it always adopts the idea.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  11. NetFlix suggests using a fluid like Windex on DVD’s when they are skipping or freezing. It works.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  12. I use Windex for much of the suggestions below with the exception of windows and mirrors. I found something that works and doesn’t streak at all. It’s called Sprayway and comes in a can and sprays out foam. It works wonders — no streaking — ammonia free if you have solar film on your windows and less then $3/can. I can use it on kitchen stainless steel appliances as well.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  13. One more Windex trick: If you’ve got a pesky housefly buzzing around, a spray of Windex will knock it out.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Yes it will Wanda. You can use a soft cloth or a soft bristled brush… maybe an old toothbrush.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  14. We learned at the jewelry store while trying on wedding rings that if you spray your finger with Windex it helps to remove the stubborn piece.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • Meaning a too tight size of ring. Oops sorry I wasn’t clear.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
      • Works very well, I once advised a friend to try Windex to remove a tight ring but she decided to go to the ER. Guess what they did? Windex.

      • No, please tell me you are kidding. The misuse of the ER is one of the reasons health care costs are escalating. They are not places to treat things like that. Wow….

  15. I need to clean my refrigerator coils and don’t want to scratch up my hardwood flooring pulling the fridge out. Your suggestion to spray windex on the floor is definitely one I’ll give a whirl. Also will give my rings a cleaning. Thanks for all the suggestions Jillee.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  16. This article reminds me of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”…I wonder how many of the skin remedies using Windex presented in the movie actually work.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • I was just going to post the same thing!

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
    • That’s so funny, Terry, I thought about that movie as I wrote this post. :-)

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  17. I use it to remove my tight wedding rings when needed. It helps them slide over my knuckles. Learned this trick at a jewelry store.

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
      • Years ago I had to go to the ER when my ring finger swelled up due to my arthritis. I tried everything at home and when I got to the hospital they first thing tried was spraying my finger with Windex. I couldn’t believe it. For me unfortunately it didn’t work, but it’s the first thing I reach for now when I have an issue with a too tight ring.

    • I learned this trick from a jeweler,too! It’s what they recommend and actually used it on me when we were there looking at rings. We were about to have our 50th anniversary and my husband wanted to buy me a new ring. It worked like a charm and I’ve had to use it at home a few times since.

      Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  18. My favorite: spray it on a mosquito bite for instant relief!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.
  19. Thanks Jillee! Who would have thought to use Windex for all these things listed here. The only thing I’ve used it for that you didn’t mention was quick in between bathroom touch ups for sink tops and toilet seats etc. Clever ideas here!

    Please log in or create a free account to comment.