Cleaning windows is often part of the house chores, but the chemicals you use often hurt the windows more than cleaning them.
Below, we’ll tell you the 5 best window cleaning solutions that we trust on our own windows.
Let’s begin!!
Key Takeaways
- Make your own window cleaners with common items like vinegar, water, rubbing alcohol, and dish soap.
- Use tools like a squeegee and microfiber cloth for shiny, streak-free windows.
- Safety first: wear gloves when making solutions and keep them away from kids and pets.
Top 5 Window Cleaning Solutions
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1. Invisible Glass Glass Cleaner
Invisible Glass is one of the best window cleaners out there, and it has some great features that make it stand out.
First of all, it doesn’t drip when you spray it, so there won’t be any drip lines on your window. It makes for a clean and easy job where you don’t have to chase the drip so it won’t touch the frame.
Secondly, it works great for grime and stains – much better than plenty of other cleaning solutions.
The only downside of the Invisible Glass cleaner is that it smells slightly stronger than other options.
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2. Spic and Span Cinch Glass Cleaner
If we’re talking about kitchen windows, this cleaner is great for grease, and it can also be used for granite and stainless steel without staining them.
Cinch was initially launched as a glass and multi-surface cleaner meant to cut through grease and clean glass without streaks, which it does so much better than a lot of other options.
Like our previous choice, it has a strong odor, but it’s a small downside compared to how great this window cleaning solution is.
It costs around $14 at Walmart.
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3. Safely Glass Cleaner
Although a more expensive glass cleaner, this solution is great for cleaning windows and leaving a fresh and pleasant smell behind.
It also wipes and dries very quickly, so it’s perfect for cleaning windows on a regular basis. It won’t cut through grime and grease as the previous options, but if you’re just getting ready to have guests over, it’s perfect.
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4. HOPE'S Perfect Glass Cleaner
HOPE’s Perfect Glass is all you need if you want shining windows. This cleans windows and glass surfaces with fewer strokes than other brands, most likely because of the alcohol in the composition.
The solution evaporates quickly, so it leaves no streaks or need for extra buffing. Besides windows, it’s also safe to use on monitors, tablets, phones, and tinted car windows.
HOPE’s Perfect Glass Cleaner is slightly pricier than many other options, but it saves a lot of time and effort, and it’s very versatile so you won’t have to buy another cleaner for monitors or your car’s windows.
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5. Windex Pre-moistened Glass Wipes
So far, we’ve had trigger spray liquid solutions, but how about a more portable and efficient method?
Although you can’t use these on other surfaces except windows, there are some other benefits that make these great. You can have them in your car to clean the windows on the road, or in your house for a quick chore that everyone can do – even the kids.
The Windex Pre-Moistened Glass Wipes are great for cleaning any type of window or glass panel. It won’t drip and you don’t have to carry a cloth with you all the time.
What’s The Best Cloth For Cleaning Windows?
When it comes to cleaning glass, including car windows, cabinet glass, and home windows, microfiber cloths are the undisputed champions.
These are made of polyester and polyamides, so they’re perfect for delicate surfaces like glass. They attract lint and dust and absorb the window cleaning product very well, without leaving streaks or drips.
It might come off as a surprise, but you should know that the cloth is actually the most important thing when cleaning a window.
The wrong cloth will leave a lot of marks and won’t absorb the cleaning solution well, which can even lead to long-term damage and stains on your windows.
Best Homemade Window Cleaning Solutions
If you don’t trust any of the window cleaning solutions we mentioned above, you can always make your own! Here’s how.
Basic homemade window cleaner recipe
This homemade window cleaner will leave your glass sparkling.
- Mix one part white vinegar with one part water.
- Add to a spray bottle.
- Shake well before each use.
- Spray the solution onto the window glass.
- Wipe with a lint-free cloth.
- Move the cloth in an S pattern for best results.
Rubbing alcohol DIY window cleaner
Rubbing alcohol makes a great DIY window cleaner. It cuts through grime and leaves windows streak-free.
- Mix one part water with one part rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle.
- Add a drop of blue dish soap for extra grease-cutting power.
- Shake the bottle gently to blend the ingredients without creating too many suds.
- Spray the solution onto windows or glass surfaces.
- Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth or squeegee for a smooth finish.
- Apply on a cloudy day for outdoor windows so the sun does not dry the solution too quickly.
- Keep this mixture away from wood frames, as it could damage the finish.
- Label your spray bottle to avoid confusion with other cleaners.
Dish soap DIY glass cleaner
This easy-to-make mixture is great for homeowners who want a simple and effective way to clean windows.
- Fill a large bucket with about one gallon of warm water. Warm water helps dissolve the soap faster.
- Add just one teaspoon of liquid dish soap. A little goes a long way in breaking down grime.
- Stir the soapy water gently to mix. Avoid creating too many bubbles.
- Dip a clean sponge into the solution. Wring it out to avoid drips.
- Wipe your windows with the sponge starting at the top corner. Work your way down in an S - pattern.
- Use a squeegee after washing each window section. This removes soapy water and prevents streaks.
- Dry window edges with a microfiber cloth. It absorbs moisture without leaving lint behind.
Conclusion
So, besides a good window cleaning solution, you need a really good microfiber cloth to wipe the window.
If none of the solutions above work for you, try a homemade cleaner and see if it does the job. Sure, chemicals are never great to use, but if your window is thick with grease and grime, soap and water won’t cut it.
We recommend using a squeegee, gloves, and even a breathing mask for stronger cleaning solutions against grease (these are often based on vinegar which has a very strong odor).
Keep in mind that some windows, no matter how hard you try to clean them, are stained forever. In that case, you can learn to live with them like that or replace them. We can help you out with replacing your windows here in TN! Call us at (615) 861-2315 for more info!