Cleaning glass surfaces like windows, mirrors, and glass tables can be a tedious chore. With the right homemade glass cleaner recipe and technique, you can easily keep your glass sparkling clean and streak-free. Making your own glass cleaner at home is simple, inexpensive, and effective.
Benefits of Homemade Glass Cleaner
There are many benefits to making your own homemade glass cleaner rather than buying commercial cleaners:
- Cost-effective – Homemade glass cleaner is very economical to make with simple pantry ingredients like vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and essential oils. This saves you money compared to buying commercial glass cleaners repeatedly.
- No harsh chemicals – Store-bought glass cleaners often contain harsh chemicals like ammonia that can be irritating to eyes, nose, skin, and lungs. Homemade cleaners use mild, natural ingredients that get the job done without nasty fumes.
- Streak-free clean – The right homemade cleaner will leave your glass surfaces sparkling and streak-free. No residue will be left behind.
- Customizable – You can tweak homemade glass cleaner recipes to create your own custom cleaner. Add your favorite essential oils for a nice scent.
- Environmentally-friendly – Homemade cleaners reduce plastic waste from buying multiple cleaner bottles. The ingredients are also biodegradable.
Ingredients Needed
Making homemade glass cleaner is simple with just a few ingredients:
- Distilled white vinegar – cuts through grease and grime on glass
- Rubbing alcohol – helps clean and prevent streaking
- Water – dilutes the cleaner
- Essential oils (optional) – for scent
You’ll also need a spray bottle for the finished cleaner. A good plant-based spray bottle is environmentally friendly.
How to Make Homemade Glass Cleaner
Follow these easy steps to make your own glass cleaner at home:
Step 1: Mix the Ingredients
In a large bowl, mix together:
- 1 part distilled white vinegar
- 1 part rubbing alcohol
- 4 parts warm water
Use a 1:1:4 ratio for easy mixing. For example, mix 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup rubbing alcohol, and 4 cups warm water.
Optional: Add 15-25 drops of your favorite essential oil like lemon, peppermint, or lavender.
Step 2: Transfer to a Spray Bottle
Funnel the homemade cleaner into a clean spray bottle. Glass spray bottles work best. Make sure to label the bottle.
Step 3: Mix and Shake Well
Seal the spray bottle and shake it vigorously to fully blend the ingredients.
Your homemade glass cleaner is now ready to use! Give the bottle a shake before each use.
How to Use Homemade Glass Cleaner
Cleaning with homemade glass cleaner is simple:
- Spray directly onto the glass surface. Focus on any visibly dirty or greasy areas.
- Using a microfiber cloth, wipe down the glass. Rub in circular motions.
- Flip the cloth and wipe again to remove any wetness and spots.
- For streak-free results, give a final wipe with a dry microfiber cloth.
- Avoid using paper towels or newspaper, as these can leave lint and streaks. Stick to high-quality microfiber cloths.
Tips for Best Results
Follow these tips when using your homemade glass cleaner for sparkling, streak-free windows and mirrors:
- Clean glass when it’s not in direct sunlight. Sunlight causes faster drying.
- Work in small sections for best results. Don’t spray and wipe a large area all at once.
- Rinse the microfiber cloth in clean water if it gets too dirty. Change water frequently.
- Add a couple tablespoons of vinegar to the rinse water for extra cleaning power.
- Polish dry with a clean microfiber cloth until no wetness remains.
- Mix a new batch once it starts looking dirty or spraying inconsistently.
Additional Uses for Homemade Glass Cleaner
This versatile homemade cleaner works great on other hard, shiny surfaces too:
- Mirrors – Spray and wipe down bathroom and decorative mirrors.
- Glass tables – Clean dining and coffee tables to a streak-free shine.
- Appliances – Use on glass oven doors, refrigerator exteriors, microwaves, and more.
- Tile – Removes soap scum and hard water stains from glass tile.
- Electronics – Safely clean phone, tablet, computer, and TV screens.
- Jewelry – Remove dirt from delicate glass jewelry like necklaces and watches.
With just a few simple ingredients, you can make your own affordable and effective glass cleaner! Once you start using homemade cleaner, you may never buy commercial glass cleaner again. The natural cleaning power will leave all your glass surfaces sparkling clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use white vinegar instead of distilled vinegar?
A: Yes, white vinegar will work the same as distilled vinegar in this recipe. Distilled white vinegar is recommended since it does not have a strong smell.
Q: How long does homemade glass cleaner last?
A: It should last about 3-4 months stored in a spray bottle. If it starts looking dirty or spraying inconsistently, mix a fresh batch.
Q: What’s the best glass cleaner for windows?
A: This homemade glass cleaner works extremely well on windows. The vinegar cuts through dirt while the alcohol prevents streaking for crystal clear windows.
Q: What removes hard water stains from glass?
A: The combination of distilled white vinegar and rubbing alcohol in this homemade cleaner helps dissolve hard water stains and mineral deposits on glass.
Q: Can I clean my computer or phone screen with this?
A: Yes, this homemade cleaner safely cleans screens on phones, tablets, laptops, computers, and TVs without leaving streaks or damaging the screen.
In conclusion, making your own homemade glass cleaner is inexpensive, easy, and effective. With just three main ingredients – vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and water – you can make a natural cleaner that makes glass surfaces sparkle. Follow the simple recipe and cleaning tips above for spot-free windows, mirrors, and appliances. Homemade glass cleaner is affordable, customizble, and environmentally-friendly.