The Best DIY Window Cleaner Recipe (Just 2 Ingredients!)

Tired of spending money on expensive commercial glass cleaners filled with harsh chemicals?

The big companies selling window cleaners don’t want you to know this but the simple solution is probably sitting in your kitchen cabinet right now!

We use this simple vinegar and water mixture that creates a non-toxic but powerful, streak-free glass cleaner that beats out any old conventional blue window cleaner.

Why Vinegar Works So Well for Windows

Vinegar is just a DIY home cleaning staple, from making powerful disinfectants to window cleaner, it can do it all.

When it comes to glass, vinegars natural acidity cuts through mineral deposits, soap scum, and everyday grime while evaporating so no residue is left behind.

Plus, you’re avoiding harsh chemicals while saving money and reducing plastic waste from commercial cleaner bottles.

The Basic Recipe

You’ll need:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• Spray bottle

Simply mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a clean spray bottle.

That’s it!

This is the only thing we use to clean our windows and it works like a charm.

Optional Recipe Alterations

For sensitive noses: If the vinegar smell is too strong, reduce it to 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water. It will still work well just slightly less powerful on tough buildup.

For extra cleaning power: Add about 2 drops of liquid dish soap to help with dirtier windows. The soap acts as a surfactant which helps the solution cling better and break down grime.

For a nice smell: This doesn’t improve cleaning but adding about 10 drops of essential oil like lemon, lavender, or peppermint to make a nice smell. The peppermint can even help keep away bugs! And don’t worry, the essential oils evaporate quickly and won’t leave residue on your glass.

Best Item to Wipe Windows With

Most Convenient Options:

• Newspaper: The lint-free, classic choice that always works.
• White cotton cloth or old t-shirts: Lint-free and reusable!
• Microfiber cloths: Doesn’t leave streaks and can be washed and reused.

Most Effective Option:

• Squeegee: This is actually the gold standard for professional results. A good squeegee eliminates streaks better than any cloth and makes large windows much faster to clean

Complete Setup: For the best results, use a combination: microfiber cloth or scrubber to apply the solution and work on tough spots, followed by a squeegee for the final clean sweep.

Additional Window Cleaning Tips

Here are some extra tips from window cleaning pros!:

1. Choose the right time: Clean windows on overcast days or when they’re in shade. Direct sunlight causes the cleaner to dry too quickly which leads to streaks.
2. Start with dry removal: Brush or wipe away loose dirt and debris before applying any liquid.
3. Apply and scrub: Spray your vinegar solution generously and use a microfiber cloth to gently scrub away grime.
4. Squeegee technique: Start at the top and pull the squeegee down in overlapping strokes. Wipe the blade clean between each stroke.
5. Work inside and out differently: Use horizontal strokes on interior windows and vertical strokes on exterior windows. This way, you can easily see which side any remaining streaks are on.

Window Cleaning Don’ts

• Paper towels on wet glass (they leave lint and streaks)
• Cleaning hot windows in direct sunlight
• Using too much soap, which creates more streaks than it prevents
• Ammonia-based additions if you have tinted windows
• Let the professionals clean upper story windows unless you’re extra safe. Clean windows are never worth a trip to the ER!