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The 4 Most Effective Homemade Window Cleaners

By Categories: Household

Homemade window glass cleaner
Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Pixabay - mrganso

Homemade window cleaners are easy to make and as good as store-bought products. We’ll show you how to use household supplies that are as cheap as organic DIY window or glass cleaners, which leave a streak-free shine.

As soon as sunlight hits your windowpanes, it’s easy to see the dirt and grime blocking light — even on dark and gloomy winter days. Advertisers tout expensive and even sometimes harmful chemical cleaners or steam machines, promising to get your windows cleaner than ever.

But don’t believe the hype — there are numerous perfectly suitable options already lying in your cupboard. These DIY window cleaners are not only cheaper than advertised products but also more environmentally friendly.

1. Vinegar, Rubbing Alcohol and Lemon Juice

Hard water is often the reason behind the constant return of streaks after each clean. A shot of vinegar in the homemade window cleaner cleaning bucket is an easy solution to this problem. Rubbing alcohol or lemon juice are good alternatives instead of vinegar.

2. Black Tea for Clean Windows

The tannins in black tea help remove grease and nicotine build-up and create a protective layer on the glass. Simply make a concentrated cup of black tea with two tea bags; steep for ten minutes, then add to your cleaning bucket. If you like, add lemon juice to counteract the hardness of the water.

4. Ammonia as an Effective but Stinky Window Cleaner

If your windows are really dirty, a squirt of ammonia in your cleaning bucket can work wonders. But beware: This homemade window cleaner smells awful.

Sustainable Alternatives to Microfiber Cloths

  • Newspapers are the classic solution and even our favorite DIY glass cleaner. You can use both wet and dry papers to clean your windows. Simply dunk the paper in your cleaning bucket and use it to scrub. Or use dry paper to polish your windows after you have washed them.
  • Pantyhose and Stockings: Really dirty windows benefit from the fine mesh of pantyhose or other old stockings. They work great as homemade window cleaners because they can remove even the most stubborn dirt.

The Best Tips for Cleaning Windows

If you keep a couple of basic tips for streak-free window cleaning in mind, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and effort:

  • Never wash your windows under direct sunlight. Your cleaning solution will dry too quickly on the windowpane and leave behind pesky streaks.
  • Whatever cleanser you use, if at all — only use a little bit at a time. Otherwise, you run the risk of creating streaks.
  • Don’t use cleaning rags that have been washed with fabric softener, as these will also leave streaks.
  • The more quickly you polish the windowpane dry, the less likely you will leave streaks behind.
Homemade window cleaner diy glass cleaner best solution
Homemade window and glass cleaners are as easy as dragging some common household items out of storage. (Photo: CC0 Public Domain / Pixabay - cocoparisienne)

Have you found these tips on various homemade window cleaners helpful? This DIY glass cleaner is just the beginning. Check out some more of Utopia’s all-natural household solutions.

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