For DIY
The Power of Water
Most of us don't consider cleaning our windows with water alone but it can be extremely effective. However, it is important to consider what is in the water you use as the content of your water can influence cleanliness.
With the use of pure water, window cleaners can achieve a perfect and spot-free finish with every rinse. Not only does it leave windows shimmering, but this method also helps to reduce the chances of dirt and other contaminants sticking to glass over time.
Distilled white vinegar and water: Cleaning windows with vinegar has been a tried-and-true trick for ages, and with good reason. The acidic composition of white vinegar works efficiently to break down the film that can accumulate on your windows.
In this video, we'll show you how to make pure water for window cleaning using a reverse osmosis system. Reverse osmosis is a great way to clean windows without having to use harsh chemicals. By making pure water using a reverse osmosis system, you can avoid harsh chemicals and residues that can damage your windows.
The most common professional window cleaning solution recipe is filtered or distilled water and dish soap. Just a few spoonfuls of dish soap is all that's needed to create foam for gliding and to help break up any grease and dirt on the glass during cleaning.
Purified and distilled water are both beneficial for you to drink, and are essentially the same. The main difference is that purified water doesn't remove all the healthy minerals found in water, which is why most people will choose to drink purified water over distilled water.
Stay Away from Harsh Chemicals
Harsh chemicals, especially those containing bleach or chlorine, should be kept away from glass surfaces. These chemicals can damage window frames, seals, and surrounding materials.
DIY Window Cleaner with Rubbing Alcohol
To make this homemade window cleaner, first add 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol and 2-3 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar to a spray bottle. For best results, make sure your vinegar says "made from grain" on the label. Then add 1 cup distilled water.
Too Much Soap in the Solution
Well, window cleaner, this can absolutely apply to your soap solution. Your windows could be looking murky because you're using way too much of the good stuff. When it comes to concentrate, a little goes a long way, even if you're using regular dish soap.
Professionally cleaned windows not only improve the overall appearance to visitors, but they also help to brighten up your home. A regular professional window clean is therefore very important for any property to keep them looking great.
If your windows have sustained water damage, you may also notice peeling or flaking paint around the frame. This peeling paint can be caused by exposure to moisture, which causes the paint to blister and peel away from the surface.
Distilled water is definitely something that the majority of us wouldn't think to consider when it comes to cleaning windows, but it is the water of choice for any professional window cleaner.
A hot, sunny day causes the cleaning solution to evaporate too fast before you can finish washing the window and leaves streaks. Mix up your window-cleaning solution: In a plastic spray bottle, mix together 2 cups of warm water with 1/4 cup white vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of Dawn.
Spray a stronger mix of 1:1 water and vinegar (or Windex, or glass cleaner) at your window, so that the solution covers most of the glass. (I found Windex to work better, but if you have pets—or kids—who frequently lick outdoor windows, vinegar may be the best route for you.)
Distilled vinegar and hot water
A true tried and tested method, distilled vinegar and hot water has proven to be one of the most successful methods to clean your windows. Since vinegar has an acidic composition, it's quick in breaking down the thin film of grime that collects on the glass' surface.
Dish Soap Solution
Believe it or not, one of the most common and effective window cleaning solutions that is used by professionals is a mixture of dish soap and water. Simply mix one gallon of water with two teaspoons of liquid dish soap, and you have a professional window cleaning solution.
Add one-fourth cup of rubbing alcohol, one-fourth cup of distilled white vinegar, one tablespoon of cornstarch, and two cups of distilled water to a spray bottle.
If there is extensive grime build-up on the glass, use a one-to-one mixture of white vinegar and warm water instead of the dish soap solution. Vinegar is an aggressive detergent that will not streak or spot.
Abrasive cleaning products like scrubbing sponges, scouring pads and liquid and powdered cleansers can cause micro-scratches on glass surfaces. In the short term, this will negatively impact the aesthetics of a window, causing it to look foggy and rough; in the long term, it may lead to cracks or other serious damage.
(To learn how you can seal your windows, yourself, read our How-To blog on window sealing.) So, why do your windows appear more grimy after they are cleaned? Cleaning your windows tends to reveal hard water stains, especially if they've been left untreated over the years.
If distilled or filtered water is unavailable, you can consider using bottled water as an alternative. Look for bottles labeled as “distilled” or “purified” to help minimize mineral content. However, keep in mind that not all bottled waters are created equal, and some may still contain minerals and additives.
Boiled water refers to water that's simply been heated to boiling point. Although this kills potential pathogens that can be harmful to humans, it's not considered purified. Distilled water, however, is a much purer form of water that's had all of its impurities, minerals, and microorganisms removed.
Many pediatricians recommend using distilled water for mixing formula because it's free from impurities and contaminants. Its lack of minerals ensures your baby receives the right balance of nutrients from the formula without interference.