Having sparkling clean windows can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your home. But getting them squeaky clean without any streaks can be a challenge. With the right techniques and ingredients, you can easily make your own DIY window cleaner that leaves glass streak-free and crystal clear.
Why Make Your Own Window Cleaner?
There are several benefits to mixing up your own homemade window cleaning solution:
- Cost savings – Store-bought window cleaners can be expensive, especially for specialty formulas. Making your own allows you to control the ingredients and make it far cheaper.
- No harsh chemicals – Many commercial window cleaners contain chemicals like ammonia that can be irritating to breathe in and even damage window surfaces over time. A DIY cleaner lets you avoid these.
- Customize the formula – You can tweak a homemade cleaner to be the perfect consistency, drying time, and streak-free results for your particular windows.
- Environmentally friendly – Homemade cleaners reduce plastic waste from buying disposable bottles repeatedly. You also avoid toxins that get washed down the drain.
Ingredients Needed
Cleaning windows is all about using the right balance of ingredients to cut through grease and dirt but also dry without streaks. Here are the common items you’ll need:
Dish Soap
A small amount of mild dish soap, like Dawn or Seventh Generation, is the key ingredient that will lift dirt and oil from your windows. The surfactants in dish soap cut through grease easily.
Water
Mainly water makes up the bulk of any DIY window cleaner. Warm water can help dissolve ingredients better. Avoid using extremely hot water though.
White Vinegar or Rubbing Alcohol
An acid like diluted white vinegar or a solvent like rubbing alcohol helps the soapy solution cling better to vertical window surfaces and dry more quickly. They cut through mineral deposits too.
Essential Oils (optional)
A few drops of lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint, or other essential oils can provide a light fresh scent. But they aren’t a cleaning agent themselves.
Spray Bottles
Reusable spray bottles are ideal for dispersing your homemade cleaner evenly across windows and mirrors. Make sure they are thoroughly cleaned first.
Easy DIY Window Cleaner Recipes
Start with one of these simple homemade window cleaner recipes. The basic formulas can be adjusted to your particular needs:
Basic DIY Window Cleaner
- 2 cups water
- 1⁄4 cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons liquid dish soap
- 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol (optional for faster drying)
This easy mixture only takes a few inexpensive ingredients but cleans as effectively as commercial products. The vinegar helps remove tough mineral deposits like limescale.
Streak-Free Formula with Essential Oils
- 2 cups water
- 1⁄4 cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons liquid dish soap
- 5-10 drops essential oil (lemon, peppermint, etc.)
The essential oils add a nice light scent and help boost cleaning power. For a minty fresh smell, try peppermint or eucalyptus oil.
All-Natural Cleaner with Grapefruit Extract
- 2 cups water
- 1⁄4 cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap
- 10 drops grapefruit seed extract
Castile soap and grapefruit seed extract come from plant sources. Combined with vinegar and water, this makes a window cleaner that’s completely non-toxic and environmentally friendly.
How to Mix Up Your Homemade Window Cleaner
Making your own window cleaning solution only takes about 5 minutes. Follow these simple steps:
1. Add ingredients to spray bottle
Start by pouring the measured amount of water into a clean empty spray bottle. Then add the vinegar, alcohol or essential oils, and finally the dish soap.
2. Swirl or shake to mix
Cap the bottle and gently swirl the liquid around to combine the ingredients. You can also shake it vigorously for 30 seconds to fully mix them.
3. Dilute if too soapy
Test the spray on a small window section. If it’s too soapy and foams too much, dilute with a bit more water.
4. Label bottle
Be sure to label the DIY cleaner so no one mistakes it for a different product. Wipe off any drips.
How to Use Your Homemade Window Cleaner
Using your homemade streak-free window cleaner takes a little technique. Follow these tips:
- Spray a light mist onto windows, mirrors, or other glass rather than soaking the surface. Too much liquid can lead to streaks.
- Use a lint-free cloth, microfiber towel, or crumpled newspaper to wipe. Avoid using paper towels, which can leave lint behind.
- Wipe in an “S” pattern vertically first. Then wipe side to side horizontally. Finally, polish dry with a dry cloth.
- Work in sections and dry as you go rather than spraying the whole window first. This prevents excess liquid from drying in streaks.
- Buff well with a dry cloth, microfiber towel or even coffee filters to fully absorb any cleaning solution left behind.
- Don’t clean windows directly in hot sunlight. This can cause the solution to dry too fast. Do it in shade or on overcast days.
- Squeegees can sometimes cause streaks on DIY cleaners. Stick to lint-free cloths and towels instead.
Storage Tips
To keep your homemade window spray effective for as long as possible:
- Store in an opaque spray bottle out of direct sunlight to prevent ingredients from breaking down.
- Make sure to label bottle with ingredients and date mixed. An airtight bottle prevents evaporation.
- If not using for awhile, decant into a smaller bottle to limit oxygen inside that can oxidize ingredients.
- Over time, spray may separate. Shake well before each use to remix ingredients.
- Watch for any changes in performance and make a fresh batch as needed. Discard if you notice an odd smell.
- When ingredients run low, add to existing bottle rather than topping off to prevent dilution.
Troubleshooting Streaky Windows
If you notice streaks or residue on your windows after using a homemade cleaner, consider these troubleshooting tips:
- The solution may be too strong and soap concentration too high. Try diluting spray with more water.
- Alternatively, try adding a bit more dish soap or vinegar/alcohol to better dissolve dirt and grease.
- Don’t use paper towels. The lint left behind can cause streaks. Stick to microfiber cloths.
- Hard water mineral deposits could be preventing full cleaning. Use distilled white vinegar to dissolve them.
- Wipe off cleaning solution fully with a dry cloth before it dries on the glass to avoid water spots.
- Avoid cleaning in direct sunlight or if glass is hot, which makes solution dry too fast.
- Greasy streaks can mean glass needs a stronger solvent. Add a bit more rubbing alcohol to the mix.
Tips for Super Clean Windows
Beyond the basic cleaning formula, here are extra tips for getting your windows crystal clear:
- Go over window tracks and sills with a wet Magic Eraser to remove built-up dirt and crud before spraying cleaner.
- Use a paintbrush dipped in cleaner to scrub dirt from window corners, crevices and screen mesh.
- Mix a paste of 2 parts baking soda to 1 part water and use to scrub off tough hard water stains and calcium deposits.
- Try dampening crumpled aluminum foil with cleaner to polish out persistent glass fogging or etching.
- Remove stuck-on gunk like tree sap or paint splatters with lighter fluid on a cloth before normal cleaning.
- Squeegees can sometimes cause streaks. Opt for a high quality microfiber window washing sleeve over a squeegee wand if possible.
- For exterior windows, follow with a rain repellent treatment like Rain-X to prevent future water spotting.
- Make sure to frequently launder microfiber cloths that hold onto dirt and replace often for best results.
Benefits of DIY Window Cleaner
Whipping up a homemade glass cleaner offers a bunch of benefits:
Saves Money
Making your own costs just pennies compared to a $5 bottle of commercial cleaner!
No Harsh Chemicals
Avoid breathing in fumes or exposing your home to ammonia, bleach or glycol ethers.
Customizable Formula
Tweak the recipe to suit your needs, water quality, and types of windows.
Environmentally Friendly
Homemade cleaners reduce plastic waste and don’t pollute waterways like toxic chemicals.
Removes Streaks/Residue
Carefully formulated to dissolve dirt, oil, grime, and mineral deposits that leave streaks.
Good for All Glass
Can be safely used on windows, mirrors, shower doors, and any other glass surfaces.
Simple Ingredients
Most homemade cleaners use common, inexpensive ingredients you already have at home.
Fresh Scent
Optional essential oils leave behind a light, pleasant aroma instead of chemical smells.
No Toxins if Accidentally Ingested
Made from food-safe ingredients that won’t harm pets or children if ingested.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Ratio of Ingredients Should Be Used?
The basic mix is 2 cups water, 1/4 cup vinegar or rubbing alcohol, and 2 tablespoons dish soap. Adjust the amount of soap and vinegar/alcohol as needed to cut through dirt.
Does Window Cleaner Expire?
The homemade spray lasts 1-2 months. Over time, vinegar smell fades, alcohol evaporates, and ingredients separate. Make a fresh batch as needed.
How Often Should I Clean Windows?
Clean inside windows weekly or biweekly to prevent heavy dirt buildup. Exterior windows can be done monthly or quarterly depending on environment.
Can I Use Essential Oils in My Window Cleaner?
Yes, essential oils add a nice scent and can boost cleaning power. Good options are lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree oil, and orange. Use 5-10 drops per 2 cups of water.
What Type of Vinegar Should I Use?
White distilled vinegar works best as it contains 5% acetic acid. Avoid darker vinegars like cider or red wine vinegar which can potentially stain.
Is Rubbing Alcohol Better Than Vinegar?
Both work well! The alcohol will dry faster. Vinegar is better at removing mineral deposits. You can also use a mix of both in the cleaner.
How Should I Apply Homemade Window Cleaner?
Lightly spray mist onto glass and wipe with a lint-free cloth. Wipe in an “S” pattern first, then side to side. Finally, polish dry with a clean cloth.
What Is the Best Way to Store DIY Window Cleaner?
Store in an opaque spray bottle away from light. Make sure bottle is labeled and tightly sealed. Refrigeration can extend lifespan but isn’t required.
Conclusion
Cleaning windows effectively without leaving behind streaks or residue can seem daunting. With the right homemade cleaner using dish soap, vinegar, water and essential oils, you can easily and economically get sparkling clean windows.
Be sure to use the proper techniques when applying and wiping your DIY cleaner. Follow the tips above for mixing up custom window cleaning solutions tailored to your needs. With a little practice, you’ll get expert results matching or exceeding commercial products.
Your windows will be crystal clear, free of grimy buildup and annoying streaks. A quality homemade cleaner improves visibility, provides a welcoming entry to your home and makes interior rooms brighter and cheerier. With just a small investment of time and common household ingredients, you can easily whip up window cleaners that leave behind nothing but pristine, beautiful glass!