Preparing your own cleaning solution has many advantages. For one, you typically end up paying less, but most importantly, you just know every ingredient that goes into your window cleaner, so you don’t have to worry if this or that ingredient is safe for you, your family and pets. Finally, having a homemade window cleaner creates less plastic waste, as you’ll be able to reuse your old window cleaner spray bottle time and time again.
At the same time, you don’t want to experiment with your own window cleaner replacements, as you might ruin your windows. Instead, we offer you 3 easy recipes that will make sure your windows will be sparkling clean and streak-free:
Recipe 1:
To prepare this cleaner, simply mix all ingredients and transfer to a spray bottle. Alternatively, you can mix all the ingredients directly in the spray bottle, but in that case, you'll need to use only one-third of each ingredient since the recipe above yields more than 32 oz (1 liter) of cleaner.
This window cleaner is especially effective if you have to cut through a lot of grease, dirt, and grime, which makes it perfect for the outside windows that usually need a lot more cleaning power than the indoor ones.
If you’re dealing with especially persistent stains and dirt, leave the solution on the stain for several minutes, then wipe it off using a cloth or paper towel. Repeat as many times as necessary, then follow up with a last overall clean and you’re done.
Recipe 2:
Simply add the vinegar and water into a spray bottle and shake vigorously.
This second recipe is perfect if you need a quick fix for a problem, whether or not you’re out of your other window cleaner, or you just like to keep things simple.
While this cleaner will not be able to erase oil or dirt stains from your windows, this vinegar solution works wonders at making any smudges or streaks disappear from your windows, which makes this one the perfect indoor cleaner. It also works great for cleaning mirrors and glass furniture.
Just don’t forget that you’re not supposed to apply window cleaning solutions directly onto the glass surface, but rather use it to dampen a cloth to prevent overapplication.
Recipe 3:
This last recipe is a bit more difficult to prepare, as it uses cornstarch, which, if not completely dissolved in the liquid, can leave streaks. Shake the spray bottle vigorously to make sure the cornstarch dissolves completely, and then shake before every use as well.
The little extra work is very much worth the effort, however, as it’s a very effective window cleaner recipe that will work equally well for your indoor and outdoor windows, as well as any other glass surfaces, including your car.
Extra tip: choose a time when the sun is not shining directly on the surface you’re about to clean, as direct sunlight will make the cleaning solution dry faster, which, in turn, can lead to steaks.
