How to Make Streak-Free Homemade Window Cleaner (Recipe)
When it comes to window cleaning, there are countless products to choose from, each promising perfect streak-free results. But, purchasing them contributes to the planet’s plastic problem – and some of them might even contain toxic ingredients.
Scary, isn’t it?
Why not skip the plastic pollution and potentially dangerous chemicals, and just make your own? DIY window washing solution is easy to create in your kitchen and does just as good a job as something you’d buy in the store.
Plus, you’ll get to feel good about using it, knowing that you’re doing the right thing for the planet and the people living in your home.
Read on for an easy to follow recipe, and whip up your first batch!
DIY Window Cleaner Recipe
Have a look around your house for the materials needed to make this homemade window cleaner, and you might be surprised by how many you already have!
Spray bottle
Microfiber cloth
White vinegar
Liquid dish soap
Essential oil of your choice
Take the top off your spray bottle, and prepare to mix the ingredients inside. You’ll want to start with a 1/4 cup of white vinegar and a 1/2 teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Then, add two cups of water and shake vigorously to combine.
If you don’t have white vinegar on hand, you can use lemon juice as a substitute. It will cut through grease and grime just as well, and it smells great, too!
Lastly, add 10 to 15 drops of your favorite essential oil to the mixed window cleaner. This not only helps mask the scent of vinegar in your solution, but it can also help prevent streaks.
If you prefer a scent-free product, you can use a pinch of cornstarch instead. This will also deliver a streak-free result, but it will naturally settle to the bottom of its liquid solution, so you’ll have to shake your bottle quite a bit more before use.
Washing Your Windows
Now that you’ve made your homemade cleaning solution, it’s time to get down to business.
Start by spraying one window’s entire surface, using a light mist. Then, use a lint-free cloth, microfiber towel, or chamois to wipe your product back and forth across the glass.
You’ll want to move quickly, as partially dried cleaning solution that doesn’t get wiped off can leave splatters and lines on your windows. But, if it happens, don’t panic.
Simply start that area over, and clean it properly before moving on.
Tackling Tough Seasonal Jobs
If you’re washing your windows after several months without attention, you might be in for a bit of extra effort.
Start by using hot water in your solution to help loosen dirt and grime. There’s also a good chance that you’ll have to wash each window pane more than once, to truly get it sparkling clean and streak-free.
Not up to the challenge? No worries! Hire a local company to put in the elbow grease.
Professional window cleaning companies can easily take on big projects that just feel too tough for you. And, in most cases, they’ll be happy to use your cleaner of choice – even if it’s homemade!
They’ll also remove and clean your screens and scour your window tracks and frames.
Window Cleaning Tips and Techniques
If your windows are dusty but not dirty or grimy, you can probably clean them without using any solution. Instead, opt for a lint-free cloth to gather and clear away dust and cobwebs. Then, polish the glass to a brilliant, streak-free shine with a second clean cloth.
When it comes time for window washing, try to choose an overcast day – or a part of the day when the sun isn’t shining directly on your windows. This can cause the solution to dry too fast, leaving lines and water marks behind.
While it might be tempting to use regular household products like napkins or paper towels, they don’t work well for window washing. Instead, you’ll want to use a soft microfiber cloth and a squeegee. This allows you to remove stubborn dirt and residue, and quickly remove all moisture for a streakless shine.
Lastly, you’ll want to consider chemical interactions, even when using your homemade window cleaning solution. The vinegar that it contains can potentially react with bleach, releasing poisonous Chlorine gas. And, even though this is a safe, non-toxic product, it should still be stored well out of the reach of kids and pets.
Other Uses for Your Homemade Glass Cleaning Solution
This powerful DIY cleaning product is good for more than just windows! Give it a try on bathroom mirrors, glass shower doors, and even tough to clean surfaces like your microwave’s door.
You’ll be surprised by its ability to cut grease and grime, wipe away mineral residues, and leave behind a perfectly polished finish, without a streak in sight. And, opting for a powerful essential oil like tea tree or eucalyptus can help your cleaning solution fight germs and bacteria, too!
Bright and Beautiful Results Made Easy
Armed with your DIY window cleaning solution, you’re ready to tackle daily maintenance and keep your home’s glass streak-free and beautiful. But, no matter how good a job you do throughout the year, you’ll need to call in the pros for deep-cleaning every so often.
Contact Ambassador Window Cleaning for a free estimate and answers to all your window cleaning questions. Our highly trained team is happy to take on all kinds of projects, great and small. And we’ve been proudly serving your community since 2004, offering reliable and hassle-free cleaning and guaranteed customer satisfaction.
